Window & Siding Replacement: Should You Do Both?

The Twin Cities are known for their historic districts and classic homes. These neighborhoods can be wonderful places to live. However, as anyone who lives in an older house knows, historic homes come with certain expectations. One is that your windows and siding will likely need to be replaced eventually.

While window and siding replacement are large and expensive projects, many Twin Cities homeowners decide to replace them together and quickly improve their home’s appearance, energy efficiency, and protection from Minnesota’s weather.

Are you wondering whether combining window and siding replacement projects is right for you? Then look no further than this guide. In it, we will explain everything you need to know to decide if you should plan to replace both the windows and siding on your Twin Cities home.

What Does Window Replacement Involve?

First, let’s discuss what goes into window replacement in Minneapolis and St. Paul. While window replacement may seem straightforward, it actually involves much more than just removing an old window and putting a new one in its place.

Instead, the team at SMC Construction, Inc. will first come to your home to measure your windows and determine the best window types for your home and budget. Once you approve our project quote, we will take final measurements, which can involve removing a portion of the window frame to look for rot and other damage. When it is time for the actual window replacement, we will:

• Remove the existing window.
• Inspect the opening.
• Prepare the area for the new window.
• Install the replacement window,
• Seal the opening
• Complete the necessary exterior and interior finishing work.

What Does Siding Replacement Involve?

As with window replacement, more goes into siding replacement than simply removing and replacing old siding with new siding. Removing the old siding is the first step of the project. However, the team at SMC Construction, Inc. will also evaluate your home’s exterior underneath the old siding. If we find issues, we may need to repair that exterior before installing the new siding. Aspects of siding installation typically include:

• Removal and disposal of existing siding.
• Inspection of the exterior wall.
• Repairs to damaged areas.
• Installation of appropriate weather protection.
• New siding installation.
• Replacement of exterior trim.
• Finishing around windows and doors.

Why Windows and Siding Work Best as a Coordinated System

Windows and siding are both exterior aspects of your home, even though there is an interior portion to windows as well. Therefore, there is an important connection between windows and siding, especially around the perimeter of each window.

Replacing the siding at the same time as the window allows contractors to more easily access the wall assembly and address any issues surrounding the window openings before the new siding is installed. If you do not install new windows and siding together, we may not be able to access parts of the window frame as thoroughly, which could cause problems later on.

Benefits of Replacing Windows and Siding Together

Because windows and siding work together in a coordinated system, there are many benefits to replacing them together. These include:

• Improved energy efficiency. One of the biggest benefits to replacing windows and siding together is the improved comfort and energy efficiency of your home. New energy-efficient windows coupled with insulated siding can drastically reduce your heating and cooling bills.
• Better protection from Minnesota weather. The Twin Cities are known for their weather’s dramatic swings. It can be hot in the summer and extremely cold and snowy in the winter. Seasonal temperature swings can put a lot of stress on both windows and siding. Replacing both at the same time allows you to address aging materials and improve the weather resistance of your home’s entire exterior.
• A more consistent exterior appearance. The experts at SMC Construction, Inc. can help you match your new windows and siding to create a cohesive exterior appearance for your Twin Cities home. Matching materials is much harder to do if you replace the windows and siding at different times.
• Less construction disruption. Exterior remodeling projects can be disruptive. The more times a contractor has to come to your home, the more disruptive the projects will be to your life. Combining window and siding replacement projects allows all major exterior work to be planned around one schedule. You will be better able to coordinate the work and complete your home’s transformation in one phase, not over months or years.
• Avoid duplicate work. When windows and siding are replaced separately, some aspects of the projects may need to be redone during the second project. For example, portions of the siding or exterior trim may need to be removed or worked around during a window installation. Completing both projects together means less duplicate work and simplifies installation.

When Does it Make Sense to Replace One?

While there are benefits to replacing windows and siding together, sometimes it does make sense to replace one or the other.

If your windows or siding have been recently replaced, it may not be a sound financial decision to replace them again, especially if they are not showing any signs of wear or damage.

A combined siding and window replacement project may also not fit into your budget. In this case, prioritize the projects based on the condition of the component and the urgency. The team at SMC Construction, Inc. can help you determine whether your home would benefit more from a window or siding replacement.

Contact us today to discover how we help Twin Cities homeowners make the right decisions for their home, budget, and long-term plans.

FAQs

Still have questions about window and siding replacements? Here are the answers to a few of the questions our customers most frequently ask.

• Does replacing windows and siding together save money? Because combining the projects can reduce duplicate labor, setup, and finishing work, it can save you money in the long run. However, the size and complexity of the project, as well as the materials you choose, will determine the total cost.
• Is it better to replace windows or siding first? If you have to choose between window and siding replacement, we generally recommend replacing the windows first. However, our team can help determine the right sequence for your home based on your budget and needs.
• How long does window and siding replacement take? As with all exterior remodeling projects, the timeline will depend on your home’s size, the number of windows, the siding material, weather conditions, and other factors. Typically, combined projects will take 1.5-3 weeks of active, on-site work; however, our contractors will provide an estimated timeline specific to your home after our initial consultation.