If you’re like most new homeowners, you’ve purchased your first or second home and you’re wondering what you can do to make it a more enjoyable, livable space as well as to improve its value in the long run.

One of the first improvements most homeowners will make on an existing property is the removal of old windows and the installation of new, vinyl replacement windows. Replacing old windows makes sense, and cents and dollars. Old windows age with time, and cracks, gaps, rusted metals and even damaged window glass starts to allow cold air in or warm air out. The resulting increase in heating and cooling bills is normally enough to cause economically motivated homeowners to consider window replacement. Environmentally concerned homeowners will also make the same choice, albeit for a different set of reasons – wasting heat or air-conditioned interior environments due to leaky, damaged older windows uses precious resources that need to be conserved.

Vinyl replacement windows are an excellent way to improve your home – its outward appearance, long-term value as real estate, energy and sound efficiency, and interior atmosphere due to increased lighting value. And vinyl replacement windows are surprisingly affordable, especially considering the overall improvement visually that occurs when new windows are installed.

With so many window brands and styles of windows to choose from, it’s easy to understand why home owners often find themselves in a quandary about how to proceed with the window installation process. Should they install bow or bay windows for more of a "3-D" effect throughout their home? Should they install casement and awning windows, which do so much in terms of enlarging the room from within and providing opportunities for viewing the outdoors and its natural beauty? Perhaps they should go with double hung windows for the cleaning convenience, or single hung windows for their simple elegance and style?

Although these are important decisions to make, you don’t have to make them alone. Below are a few tips to use in helping to decide which direction to go with a window installation project for your home. Use them wisely and you’ll be very happy with the outcome of your new windows, whichever style and company you decide to work with in the end.

• Talk to friends and neighbors who have recently installed windows. Find out what they like or don’t like about the window brand, design, or company who installed them.

• Conduct some research online as to energy efficiency by brand or style. Remember – every company wants to sell you their windows, so they’ll all say many good things about their products that may not be completely true.

• In terms of the company selling directly to you and installing the windows, are there "ripoff reports" online about them or legal complaints? Some companies promise the moon but deliver only moon shadows, so you’ll want to make sure the company doing the work is insured, has a list of satisfied clients, and has been in business long enough to know what they’re doing.

• Lastly, find out what kind of guarantee comes with your new vinyl replacement windows. Are just the parts insured? Is the installation insured as well? What sort of promises do the manufacturer and the installer make to you in case you’re not satisfied with the final product?

Adding vinyl replacement windows to your home is a bit of a financial commitment, and requires time and effort. With the proper research and some shopping around, you’ll be more than compensated for your efforts with the final installation and the dramatic visual changes that come to your home.