The Best First 4 Steps to Replacing Windows or Doors in Your Toronto Home January 9, 2015 The moment you consider replacing old, outdated windows or doors in your Toronto home, you should take a few steps before making a decision on any specific products. If you don’t take these first four important steps, you could end up with cheap, low quality windows and regret your decision within a matter of weeks after they are installed. Step #1: Determine your budget. As with any major home improvement project, you should have a general idea about the budget you can comfortably afford for it. The average replacement window can cost between $250 and $750, depending on the style and size of the window. An entry door could cost anywhere from $500 for an inexpensive one to several thousand dollars. Sit down and carefully determine how much you are comfortable spending on this home improvement project right now. Step #2: Evaluate each room in your house. If you’re talking about replacement windows, you want to take some time to determine if you might prefer a completely different size or style of window in any room in your house. For example, you may have two double hung windows in the master bedroom that overlooks a wonderful view. This is not taking advantage of that view. Installing a bow window or gorgeous picture window may help to enhance the comfort and style of that room. Step #3: Understand all of the options available to you. There are so many different styles of windows and entry doors that you owe it to yourself to see as many as possible before making any specific decisions. You may have mostly double hung windows in your house, but you may benefit from a casement window, sliding window, bay window, or any other styles. Take time to learn about the various options of windows and entry doors. Step #4: Avoid shopping based on price alone. If you shop for replacement windows or doors based on price alone, you will likely end up with cheap, low quality, energy inefficient windows that won’t help to boost the value of your home. Replacing windows and entry doors is one of the best home improvement projects you can take on to help boost the overall value of your house. Take the time to go through all of the options and make the right one for you, your family, and your budget.