Replacing windows or exterior doors can be a significant home project, and deciding when replacement is necessary - and who should do the work - is not always straightforward.
For Ridgewood homeowners, the answer can depend on more than the age of a window or door. The condition of the existing unit, energy efficiency, exposure to the elements and the character of the home can all matter.
Ridgewood also has some particularly local considerations. The village developed rapidly as a commuter suburb around the turn of the 20th century. Ridgewood's Historic Preservation Element of the Master Plan notes that the village was incorporated in 1894 and that an average of about 100 homes were constructed annually between 1907 and 1911.
Local permitting rules are another consideration. According to the Village of Ridgewood Building Department's current guidance, replacement of a window or door, including a garage door, in the same opening without altering the dimensions or framing of the original opening does not require a construction permit. Projects that change the opening or involve other work can be different, and additional approvals may apply to certain properties.
That makes it worth looking at the house itself - and the scope of the proposed work - before assuming that what worked for a neighbor or another Bergen County community is necessarily the right choice.
Age can provide useful context, but an older window or door does not automatically need to be replaced. How well it is performing is generally more important.
According to ENERGY STAR, the federal energy-efficiency program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, signs that windows may need attention include drafts or air leaks, deteriorating sills or sashes, water leakage and windows that no longer open properly.
Other issues worth investigating include:
Condensation deserves a closer look because where it appears matters. ENERGY STAR guidance notes that condensation on the room-facing surface can result from humid indoor air meeting cold glass and does not necessarily indicate a failed window. Fogging or moisture trapped between panes, however, can signal a problem with the insulated glass unit.
Water stains also should not automatically be blamed on the window itself. Guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center emphasizes evaluating the window and surrounding components before determining the best repair or replacement approach.
Not every draft calls for a new window.
If the frame and window are otherwise in good condition, relatively limited problems may sometimes be addressed through repairs. Depending on the window and the source of the problem, that could include replacing worn weatherstripping, adjusting hardware or sealing gaps that allow unwanted air movement.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends caulking and weatherstripping as relatively simple ways to address many air leaks around windows and doors.
Replacement becomes a stronger consideration when the problem involves the window itself rather than a maintenance item around it. Extensive deterioration, chronic water intrusion, failed insulated glass, poor operation or a combination of recurring issues may point toward replacement.
Homeowners with older or architecturally significant windows may want to consider repair options especially carefully. The Department of Energy's guidance on window retrofits describes approaches that can improve the performance of some existing windows while retaining their original frames.
That may be particularly relevant for some Ridgewood properties. The village's Historic Preservation Element documents substantial residential growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including a building boom during the village's development as a railroad suburb.
The takeaway: diagnose the problem first. A window professional should be able to explain why a repair is or is not likely to address it rather than treating replacement as the only possible answer.
There is no single meaningful price for replacing a window or exterior door in Ridgewood. The final cost can vary considerably from one home and project to another.
Consumer Reports' replacement-window buying guide notes that actual costs depend on factors including where a homeowner lives, the materials and styles selected, window size and location and labor. The condition of the existing opening can also change the scope of a project: replacing a window in a sound existing frame is different from removing a deteriorated frame and completing a more extensive replacement.
Other project-specific considerations can include:
This is one reason homeowners should compare what is included in a quote, not just the bottom-line number. A product price alone may not include installation, disposal, trim work or follow-up service, while other companies may bundle more of the project into one price.
Consumer Reports also recommends comparing similar products and closely reviewing what each bid includes before making a decision.
The window itself is only part of the project. How it is measured, installed and serviced can be just as important.
New Jersey homeowners have an additional practical checkpoint: home improvement contractor businesses are required to register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. The state's Home Improvement Contractor Business guidance specifically includes businesses that install or replace residential windows and doors.
Homeowners can use the state's contractor registration verification page to check a home improvement contractor business before hiring.
Independent research can help with the product side, too. Consumer Reports tests replacement windows for factors including resistance to wind and rain and has found meaningful performance differences among brands. Its testing also shows that a higher price does not necessarily mean better performance.
When comparing companies, consider asking about:
Homeowners also have different ways to structure the project. Some buy windows through a dealer or retailer and hire or work with a contractor separately. Others prefer a replacement company that manages more of the process.
Consumer Reports identifies services such as Renewal by Andersen as an alternative to hiring an independent contractor. Renewal by Andersen, the full-service replacement division of Andersen Corporation, handles consultation, measurement, custom manufacturing, installation and post-installation service as part of its replacement process.
That can be an advantage for homeowners who value having one company responsible for the project from measurement through installation and service. It is still worth comparing products, warranties, total costs and service models from multiple providers before deciding which approach is the best fit.
The similar names can be confusing, but Andersen and Renewal by Andersen are not simply two names for the same purchasing experience.
Andersen Windows & Doors manufactures several window and door product lines for new construction, remodeling and replacement projects. Its products are available through dealers and retailers and can be installed by contractors.
Renewal by Andersen is Andersen Corporation's full-service replacement division. It specializes in replacement projects and manages the process from consultation and technical measurements through custom manufacturing, installation and service.
Andersen offers a comparison of the two approaches for homeowners trying to understand the distinction.
There are product differences as well. Andersen offers several product lines using different materials, while Renewal by Andersen's replacement windows use its Fibrex composite material and are custom-built for existing openings.
The better fit depends partly on how a homeowner wants to manage the project. Someone already working with a trusted contractor or planning a larger renovation may prefer to choose products through a dealer or retailer and coordinate installation separately. Someone focused specifically on replacement and looking for a single company to manage the process may find Renewal by Andersen's model more appealing.
Renewal by Andersen's published pricing guidance notes that replacement-window costs vary based on factors including materials, window size and style, features and installation requirements. Homeowners should therefore compare scope as well as price when evaluating estimates.
A consultation should give you enough information to understand both the product and the process before signing a contract.
Consider asking:
Who will measure the openings?
Ask who takes the final measurements used to manufacture or order the windows and who is responsible if those measurements are incorrect.
Who will install the windows or doors?
Find out who will actually be working in your home and what training or qualifications they have.
Are installers employees or subcontractors?
Either arrangement can work, but homeowners should know who is responsible for the installation and who to contact if a problem arises.
What exactly is included in this quote?
Ask about removal, disposal, installation, interior or exterior trim work, hardware, cleanup and permit fees where applicable. Consumer Reports recommends scrutinizing multiple bids and making sure installation details, labor and materials are clearly spelled out.
What happens if you uncover rot or other hidden damage?
The contractor should be able to explain how additional work is identified, priced and approved.
What energy-performance information can you provide?
ENERGY STAR-certified windows, doors and skylights use ratings certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council. Measurements such as U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC, can help consumers compare performance. ENERGY STAR's energy-performance guidance provides more information about those ratings.
What warranties cover the product and the installation?
Ask whether coverage differs for glass, frames, hardware and installation, how long each portion lasts and who handles a claim. Consumer Reports also recommends paying close attention to warranty terms when comparing replacement-window companies.
Who handles service later?
If a window develops a problem several years from now, know whether you will call the installer, retailer, manufacturer or the company that sold you the project.
Will this project require a permit or other approval?
Ridgewood's Building Department enforces the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code and local zoning regulations. The village states that replacement of a window or door in the same opening, without altering the dimensions or framing of the original opening, does not require a construction permit. If the opening is being enlarged, relocated or reframed, homeowners should check with the department about applicable requirements before work begins.
Owners of designated historic properties should also ask whether historic-preservation review applies. Ridgewood has a Historic Preservation Commission, and the village's historic-preservation regulations can apply to exterior changes involving designated historic sites and properties within the Village Center Historic District. Exact replacement of existing windows or doors that does not change the exterior appearance is among the exemptions identified in the village code, but homeowners with a designated property should confirm the requirements for their specific project.
Often, yes.
A homeowner may choose to replace only windows that are damaged or performing poorly, tackle one section of the house first or phase a larger project over time.
Whether that approach makes sense depends on the condition of the remaining windows, budget and design goals. For a phased project, ask whether the same product, finish, hardware and grille configuration is expected to remain available later if visual consistency is important.
It can, particularly when existing windows are drafty, degraded or poor performers.
ENERGY STAR identifies old, drafty or degraded windows as a potential source of household energy waste, with air leaks contributing to energy loss. But replacing every window is not automatically the best or only solution.
If existing windows and doors are otherwise in good condition, air sealing and weatherstripping may help address some leaks. Storm windows can also be an option in certain situations.
For replacement products, standardized ratings such as U-factor and SHGC can help homeowners compare energy performance.
It is also wise to keep savings claims in perspective. Consumer Reports cautions that homeowners may not recoup the full cost of new windows through energy savings alone. Comfort, condition, ease of operation, noise reduction and maintenance can be part of the decision as well.
It depends on the scope of the work.
The Village of Ridgewood Building Department's current guidance states that replacing a window or door, including a garage door, in the same opening without altering the dimensions or framing of the original opening does not require a construction permit.
That exemption should not be read to cover every window or door project. Enlarging or relocating an opening, changing framing or combining the replacement with other construction can change the permitting requirements. The Building Department advises residents with project-specific questions to check applicable construction and zoning requirements.
Historic properties can involve another layer of review. Ridgewood's Historic Preservation Commission reviews matters involving designated historic sites and districts under the village's historic-preservation regulations. For covered properties, exterior changes can include the removal, repair or replacement of windows and doors when the change affects the exterior appearance. The village code provides an exemption for identical replacement of existing windows and doors that does not alter the exterior appearance.
Before signing a contract, homeowners whose projects involve altered openings, structural work or a designated historic property should confirm which approvals apply and who will be responsible for obtaining them.
There is no universal best season.
Scheduling can depend on the urgency of the project, weather conditions and contractor availability. If a window is leaking, badly deteriorated or no longer closes securely, delaying solely to reach a particular season may not make sense.
For a nonurgent project, ask prospective installers how they protect the opening and interior of the home during cold, wet or windy conditions and whether weather could affect the installation schedule.
There is no reliable one-size-fits-all timeline.
A small number of accessible windows may be relatively straightforward to install, while a larger project, unusually sized openings or hidden damage can take longer.
It is also important to distinguish installation time from total project time. Many replacement windows are made to fit a home's existing openings, so measurement, ordering or manufacturing may occur well before installation day.
Ask prospective companies for an estimated timeline from contract to completion, not just an estimate of how many hours or days installers will be at the house.
Not necessarily.
If windows are damaged, visibly deteriorated, leaking or difficult to operate, addressing those problems before listing a home may make sense. Replacing functioning windows solely because they are older is a different decision.
A homeowner preparing to sell should weigh the cost of the project against the condition of the existing windows, the home's price point and what comparable properties offer.
In some cases, repairing a specific problem may be more practical than replacing an entire houseful of windows shortly before a sale.
There is no single window type that is best for every older Ridgewood home.
The goal is to balance performance with the home's architecture, the condition of its existing openings and any requirements that apply to the particular property.
That can be especially relevant in Ridgewood, where much of the community's growth occurred during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The village's Historic Preservation Element describes Ridgewood's rapid development as a railroad suburb and notes that roughly 100 homes per year were built between 1907 and 1911.
Homeowners may want to consider frame proportions, grille patterns, exterior finish and operating style alongside energy performance, particularly when maintaining the architectural character of an older house is important.
For historically significant windows that remain repairable, preservation or retrofit may be worth investigating before choosing complete replacement. The Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center describes sash retrofit as one approach that can improve the performance of some existing windows while retaining their frames.
Owners of designated historic properties should also determine whether the village's historic-preservation regulations apply before changing the exterior appearance. Ridgewood's Historic Preservation Commission provides information and application materials for historic sites and districts.
If replacement is appropriate, homeowners can compare wood, vinyl and composite options, among others. Consumer Reports' testing has found that frame material and price alone do not determine how well a window performs.
The best starting point is an assessment of the specific window and the specific house, rather than choosing based on age alone.
Ultimately, a window or exterior door replacement project in Ridgewood should begin with three questions: What problem are you trying to solve? What work is actually necessary to solve it? And what, exactly, are you getting for the price?
Answering those questions before comparing products and contractors can make it easier to determine whether a repair, a phased replacement or a larger replacement project makes the most sense for your home.
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