Windows have come a long way since the first panes of glass were put into a home. The small sheets of glass that were pinned into wooden frames and puttied for firm support have given way to double and even triple-seal windows that are housed in frames made of vinyl and, in many cases, aluminum frames.

Next to a full-scale renovation or room addition changing out the windows in a home can be an expensive endeavor. The themselves are usually a modest price but it is the installation that pushes up the price of the job. Here are some tips that can help lower the cost of a window remodeling job.

1. Window Sales

Like almost any other item that is sold windows go on sale once or twice a year. The key is to know when this happens and wait for just the right moment. However, don't expect to find a good sale in the spring or fall because this is the busiest season for window installers, and summer is not too far behind. If you are planning a large window job look at January when most companies will have their winter sales.

2. Stock Items

Many home renovation stores will keep windows in stock that are cheaper than special-order windows. They will always keep popular sizes on the shelf and sometimes even these are marked down during a special sale. When choosing one or two windows this may be way to go, especially in the basement.

3. Returns and Clearance

Window estimators are only human and so can make mistakes. In cases such as this, or when a contractor defaults on payment, the window outlet may have dozens of windows on sales in many sizes. If you have been thinking of a showpiece for your living room you may get a cathedral-style window for as low as a third of the retail price. Other windows may be a bit smaller than you want but if the savings are huge a slightly smaller window can be trimmed out with casing to look great.

4. Single-Hung, Fixed Pane

If you are buying more than a couple of windows for a room they don't all have to include opening mechanisms. Fixed-paned windows of the same styling are up to $75 cheaper, so carefully examine the home to see which areas need a cross-breeze.

5. Window Inserts

Many windows have great-looking interior casings, trim that might be destroyed by installing a full-frame window. By using window inserts these casings can be preserved. As well, full-frame windows and, in many cases, the labor costs, are more expensive so money can be saved with inserts.

6. Do-It-Yourself

For a large window project you should get a professional window installer. This is because you want a perfect job where all the windows are equally-matched for fit and finish. However, for putting in a couple of basement windows or one for a back porch try doing the job yourself. Each window will save you around $150 and you can rent videos to show you how to do it.

7. Anchor Brackets

When purchasing windows always ask for anchor brackets. These are metal strips that can be bent to hold the window in the frame and most contractors or handymen will appreciate them. It makes the job easier and holds the window while the shims are adjusted for window positioning.

8. Low E and Argon Windows

To get an energy rating for your home, and to be eligible for rebates, you have to buy windows with low-emissivity "E" coatings on the glass, film that reflects heat back into the home in winter and heat out of the home in summer. These windows usually have the space between the panes filled with a heavy, argon gas. This dense gas filling prevents air movement around inside the glass, another way energy is lost. Even if you are not going for the grants you will save enough energy in ten years to pay for the windows.

9. Foam and Caulking

When installing windows always seal the spaces around the positioned window with a low-expanding foam. This will seal the walls from drafts and water that could cause rot in the walls. In addition, seal around interior casing and exterior moldings with a latex caulking.

For more information on window installation consult our Contractor Directory for a window specialist or simply post your project and a contractor will contact you.

Kim Kinrade writes for renovation, travel and news sites. When he is not doing this, or renovating old houses, he finds the time to write novels.