Exterior Home Remodel: Should You Install New Windows or Siding First?

In an ideal world, replacing your home's windows and siding simultaneously has the most benefits. Doing both projects at once can streamline the installation process, reduce duplicate work and ultimately reduce your overall costs. Coordinating a window and siding install allows an experienced team such as Bruin Remodeling group to maximize the seal between the windows and the siding. This will minimize energy loss and maximize your home’s efficiency. 

Understandably, doing new windows and new siding at the same time may be cost prohibitive for many homeowners. When asked which remodeling project clients should tackle first, Bruin Remodeling Group suggests prioritizing window replacement before new siding. Below are four compelling reasons why. 

1. Ensure Proper Sealing and Insulation

The primary function of your windows, aside from letting in light and offering views, is to enhance the energy efficiency of your home. Old or damaged windows can lead to significant energy loss and higher heating and cooling bills. Installing new windows prior to new siding enables a more effective seal between the window and the home's framework, reducing drafts and improving insulation. 

2. Design Flexibility

Installing new windows prior to installing new siding gives you more design flexibility. Windows come in various styles and sizes, and sometimes changing your windows could alter your home’s exterior. By replacing windows first, you can ensure that when you do decide to install new siding it accommodates any changes you may have made during your window installation. It also ensures that the new siding will be cut precisely to fit around the new, properly sealed and insulated window frames, resulting in a more visually appealing and efficient design. 

3. Protecting Your Siding Investment

When replacing windows, it's often necessary for contractors to also remove and replace some of the surrounding siding. This is due to the need to access the areas where the window frames meet the building's structure to ensure a tight, secure fit. Replacing your windows first avoids this risk, ensuring that your investment in new siding is protected from unnecessary repairs or adjustments around the window frames.



4. Reducing Overall Project Costs

Replacing windows before installing new siding can actually lead to cost savings. When windows are installed first, the process is generally more straightforward because there is no need to work around or temporarily remove newly installed siding, which can be time consuming and technically challenging. If new siding is installed before the windows, there's a higher risk that the siding will need to be cut or even partially removed to fit the new windows. This can damage the new siding, necessitating repairs or replacements that may add unnecessary costs. 

The order of your home renovation projects, particularly when it comes to windows and siding is key for optimizing both the cost of the project and the energy efficiency of your home. While simultaneous replacement offers the greatest benefits, prioritizing window replacement before installing new siding is our recommended approach for those working with a limited budget. At Bruin Remodeling Group we're here to help guide you through these decisions, ensuring that your renovations run smoothly and give you the home of your dreams for years to come.