Have you ever seriously thought about what life would be like living on Long Island without modern windows? Most homes in our neighborhoods have a perfect view of the world through their window glass. You can crack a window to get a little fresh air, or open all your windows to flush out stale air after a long period of keeping them all closed to control the temperature. And, while replacement windows do come with patterned glass or opaque glazing, you don’t have to shield your view like our ancestors who had to live with old technology struggling with heavy glass that was barely functional and unaffordable.

Here’s a quick look at some ways today’s Renewal by Andersen of Long Island replacement windows help our friends and neighbors transform their view.

Modern replacement windows have better energy-efficiency features and more optional accessories than they did just a couple of decades ago. Trading up from aging wood or vinyl windows that are falling apart and looking really bad may be an enticing idea.

Sadly, some Long Islanders make mistakes when buying big ticket items. Some pay for features they don’t need, while others jump on the cheapest option, hoping they can make do, until they can afford to move into a bigger, nicer home down the road.

You don’t have to worry about making costly mistakes. Here’s how to buy replacement windows without getting in over your head, or going so far in debt you’ll never climb your way out.

As part of Renewal by Andersen of Long Island’s Signature Service we take care of disposing of or recycling the home windows we replace because we love to do our part to protect the environment. For those of you with the DIY gene that love to take old things and turn them into new treasures, we thought you might like some ideas about how to use your old, wood windows when the replacement windows arrive.

Here are five ideas that are perfect for repurposing wood windows and most will work equally well with or without glass. Just one safety note: before re-using your old windows, make sure they don’t include lead paint, which can be hazardous to your health.