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| Woodlandwindows.com |
You loved the place and could
afford it. You bought the home of your dreams and moved in. Then came the first
winter and the windows leak, air, water, heat and anything else that can pass
through the cracks. What are you going to do? You live in a condominium, which
belongs to a homeowner’s association (HOA), so your first instinct is to
contact them.
Know the process
Your window replacement options
will vary depending on the number of units (condos), the age of the buildings,
the number of stories and/or the unique bi-laws of your association. Generally speaking,
homeowners, that would be you, are responsible for replacing your unit’s
windows within guidelines that pertain to matching the existing windows and
maybe newer energy regulations. It is common however for an HOA to organize an
association-wide replacement project charging each unit their portion of the
total cost.
Let’s assume you’re handed a HOA
window replacement guide, including requirements, and told that it’s up to you
to replace your old leaky windows.
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| MK Property.com |
Typically,
there are two key requirements to keep clear about. The first is you’ll
need to use a professional installer who will need to provide proof of
licensing and insurance. Almost all associations require the work to be done by
a professional installer due to potential liability that the association would
have to assume if something goes wrong.
The second key requirement is architectural
compliance. The HOA board is compelled to enforce architectural compliance,
so clearly understand your options for selecting replacement windows before you
buy them. Remember, the building exterior is the domain of the HOA board and
you will have to remove replacement windows that are not in architectural
compliance.
There are lots of options so don’t get locked into the wrong one
Sometimes your HOA will give you a
list of windows and contractors, but you’re usually not required to select your replacement windows and installation
from that list. Replacement window choices are changing every year as new
styles and technologies are introduced. That list might be old. Shop around for
what you want as long as it’s within the guidelines for replacement that
closely matches the existing windows, such as size, profile, color, or glass
options.
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| Winnetka, IL |
Whether to buy an entirely new
window frame and sash – full replacement or just replace the sash – partial replacement
is a critical choice for you to make. A partial replacement will save you money,
but it is likely to reduce the glass size and thereby alter the window such
that it no longer matches other windows in the complex. A thicker sash profile
than your current windows could likewise alter the look, so be sure what you
select closely matches the original.
For more information about key decisions you need to make when replacing your windows go to our previous blogs about failing windows and key replacement selection criteria.
There is one last thing you need to
know. You won’t regret your decision to replace old leaky windows and create
a beautiful comfortable space.
