Window replacement is often a popular choice if you’re looking to boost your home’s resale value. By giving your curb appeal a major boost, improving indoor air quality, and instantly recouping a large portion of the cost, replacing your windows could be just the pick-me-up your house needs before going on the market.
What’s the ROI of Window Replacement in 2025?
The cost of window replacement will vary depending on a number of factors, from window styles to glass and frame materials to the quality of the windows themselves. Nerd Wallet estimates a return on investment (ROI) of 70 to 85% for window replacement, recouping well over half of the purchase price in direct resale value to your home!
While replacement windows won’t recoup the full cost in resale value immediately, they have an incredibly high return on investment and increase the value of your home through other, less measurable means.
Five Ways Window Replacement Improves Resale Value
Improving the resale value of your home isn’t just a numbers game. It’s about ensuring your home immediately appeals to potential buyers, both in visible quality and long-term benefits to their future and comfort in the home. Here are five ways window replacement makes a difference and creates multiple selling points that add up to excellent resale value!
1. Boosted Curb Appeal
This first benefit is probably the most obvious: brand new windows mean a beautiful and refreshing outlook on your home’s curb appeal! Unless someone is explicitly shopping for a shabby fixer-upper, curb appeal can significantly impact a buyer’s first impression, either priming them to buy or repelling them instantly. One study found that homes with excellent curb appeal had a 7% greater chance of selling than comparable homes with less curated exteriors.
2. Energy Efficiency
Unless you are downgrading, window replacement of any type should instantly improve your home’s energy efficiency, and even more so with explicitly energy-efficient windows. Home buyers love to hear phrases like “energy efficient” because that translates to greater comfort, eco-friendliness, and lower utility costs!
3. Better Security
Many first-time home buyers look for safety, especially if they have children in the home. You can’t control whether or not the home you’re selling is in a safe neighborhood, but you can improve on its security with windows that have stronger, thicker glass and sturdy locking mechanisms for inherently reliable security.
4. More Natural Light
Which is more appealing when you first walk into a home: dark and dim rooms, or bright natural light filling every space? Likely, you chose the latter.
Due to thicker frames or outdated styles, older windows tend to let in less natural light. They may even have issues like broken panes that allow dirt and debris to get in between the window panes, which are impossible to clean.
5. Easier Functionality
The older the window, the more likely it is to jam, stick, or not lock properly. Brand new windows should operate much more smoothly, satisfying the mechanically-minded buyer who tests every window and door when touring a new home.
New windows are also a chance to upgrade for even better functionality, like easy-to-clean double-hung windows with tilt-in panels or low-maintenance materials like vinyl. Even simple upgrades like going from single to double-pane windows will help improve window functionality with better insulation and air quality.
How to Determine if Window Replacement is a Good Investment
In many cases, window replacement is an excellent option if you’re looking to invest in home improvements with the goal of future reselling. Here are some questions to consider that can help you decide if now is the right time for such an investment:
How Old Are Your Existing Windows?
The age of your windows is a key factor when deciding whether to replace them. If your windows are more basic and cheap, they should be replaced after 15-20 years. The average window can last up to 30 years, but it might be worth considering replacement if you’ve hit the 10-15 year mark.
Are Your Windows Drafty or Damaged?
If you have drafty or damaged windows, especially if they’re visibly damaged, it’s smart to replace them before putting your house on the market. This is for the good of your curb appeal and your buyers, who may be curious about the age of certain parts of your home, like the windows and siding.
Are You Planning to Sell Soon?
If you aren’t planning on selling quite yet and are content with the quality of your existing windows, you might be okay holding off on window replacement (depending on the answers to the first two questions). However, if you are actively preparing to sell your home, window replacement may be just what you need to send your home over the top and turn that curb appeal from drab to where-do-I-sign.
Replace Your Old Windows with Rolox Windows!
If you’re ready to commit to window replacement and see your resale value skyrocket, Rolox Home Service is here to help! Homeowners and real estate sellers in Kansas City and Wichita find the perfect high-quality, energy-efficient windows for their pre-sale renovations! Schedule a quote with us today!
