Before and After: Colorado Springs Window Transformations That Changed These Homes

Nothing tells the story of a window replacement better than seeing the transformation. Across Colorado Springs and the surrounding Front Range communities we serve, the before-and-after difference still gets us every time.

Here are some of our favorite transformation stories that show what new windows can do for a home, the comfort inside it, and the people living there.

Transformation 1: The Old North End Victorian

The Home: A 1905 Victorian in Old North End with original single-pane wood windows. Twenty-two windows total, many with decorative elements the homeowners wanted to preserve.

The Problem: The windows were 120 years old. That is remarkable longevity for wood windows, but they were well past the end of their useful life. The homeowners had been supplementing with plastic window film every winter and space heaters in the worst rooms. Their heating bills during peak winter exceeded $400 per month for a 2,200-square-foot home.

Several windows were painted shut. Others would not stay open without being propped. The rope-and-pulley counterbalance systems had failed decades ago.

The Solution: We installed Andersen E-Series windows with custom profiles that matched the original window designs. Simulated divided lites replicated the original grid pattern. The exterior color was custom-matched to the home’s historic trim. Every window got Low-E4 glass with argon fill.

The Result: The homeowners called us three weeks after installation to tell us their first full heating bill with the new windows was $215, roughly half of what they had been paying. The rooms that used to need space heaters were comfortable with just the central heat.

From the street, you cannot tell the windows are new. They look like beautifully maintained originals, which was exactly the goal.

Transformation 2: The Stetson Hills Stucco

The Home: A 2003 stucco two-story in Stetson Hills with 16 builder-grade vinyl windows. The home was only 22 years old, but the windows were already failing.

The Problem: Seven windows had visible fogging between the panes, meaning the seals had failed and the argon gas had leaked out. The vinyl frames on the south and west sides were noticeably discolored and becoming brittle from UV exposure. Three windows would not lock properly.

The homeowners were frustrated because the house was not that old. But builder-grade vinyl at our altitude has a shorter lifespan than many people realize, especially on sun-exposed elevations.

The Solution: We replaced all 16 windows with Andersen 400 Series in Fibrex composite frames. Sandtone exterior color to complement the existing stucco, white interiors. Low-E4 glass with argon fill throughout.

The Result: The visual improvement was striking. The new Andersen frames were sharper, cleaner, and more substantial than the builder-grade vinyl they replaced. The homeowners said the house looked like a different home from the outside.

Energy-wise, they tracked a 30 percent reduction in combined heating and cooling costs over the first full year. And the Fibrex frames are expected to outlast the previous vinyl by at least 10 to 15 years.

Transformation 3: The Manitou Springs Cottage

The Home: A charming 1940s cottage in Manitou Springs with a mix of original wood windows and 1980s vinyl replacements. Eight windows total in a compact 1,100-square-foot home.

The Problem: The original wood windows had peeling paint, soft wood from rot, and single-pane glass. The 1980s vinyl replacements had failed seals and were a different style than the originals, giving the home an inconsistent look.

The homeowner had recently purchased the cottage and wanted to honor its character while making it energy-efficient and comfortable. Manitou Springs sits at a slightly higher elevation than Colorado Springs proper and can be even windier due to its position at the mouth of Ute Pass.

The Solution: We installed Andersen 400 Series double-hung windows throughout, choosing a style with narrow frames to maximize glass area (important in a small home). A warm white exterior color matched the cottage’s painted trim. Interior wood finish in pine for warmth that honored the home’s vintage character.

The Result: The consistency of the new windows transformed the cottage’s appearance. Instead of a patchwork of old and newer windows in different styles, the home now has a unified, charming look that respects its 1940s character.

The homeowner, who works from home, told us the noise reduction was unexpected and wonderful. Manitou Springs has tourist traffic and the occasional loud exhaust from Ute Pass. The new windows made the home noticeably quieter.

Transformation 4: The Rockrimmon Tri-Level

The Home: A 1978 tri-level in Rockrimmon with 14 original aluminum-frame windows and a sliding patio door. The home had stunning views of Garden of the Gods but the windows were too old and foggy to enjoy them.

The Problem: Where to start? The aluminum frames were pitted and corroded. The single-pane glass on the lower level made the family room virtually unusable in winter without a space heater running constantly. The sliding patio door would not slide smoothly and let in a visible stream of cold air along the bottom track.

The homeowners estimated they were spending $350 per month on heating in winter and still had rooms that were uncomfortable.

The Solution: We replaced all 14 windows with a mix of Andersen 400 Series casement windows (for the living areas with views) and double-hung windows (for the bedrooms). The sliding patio door was replaced with a new Andersen gliding door with a proper track seal and Low-E glass.

For the living room, we upgraded two of the standard windows to larger units, opening up the view of Garden of the Gods without changing the structural opening (we used the same rough opening width but removed the wide aluminum frames, gaining visible glass area).

The Result: The homeowners told us this: “We feel like we have a new house.” The family room that had been a winter no-go zone was suddenly the favorite room in the house. The views that had been obscured by fogged, pitted glass were crystal clear.

Heating costs dropped to approximately $220 per month, a 37 percent reduction. And the new patio door glided smoothly with zero air infiltration.

Transformation 5: The Powers Corridor Military Family

The Home: A 2008 two-story near Peterson Space Force Base with 12 windows. The family was preparing the home for their next PCS (permanent change of station) and wanted to maximize resale value.

The Problem: The builder-grade vinyl windows were functional but dated. Four had fogged seals. The frames were discolored on the south side. Nothing was catastrophically wrong, but the windows were clearly aging and would be a negotiation point with buyers.

The Solution: We replaced all 12 windows with Andersen 100 Series, their value line with Fibrex composite frames. This was the right call for a pre-sale upgrade: quality products at a price point that made financial sense for the resale market.

The Result: The home went on the market two weeks after our installation. The listing agent told our homeowners that the new windows were one of the first things buyers commented on during showings. The home sold within 10 days at asking price, and the inspection came back clean with no window-related items.

The homeowners calculated that the window investment returned approximately 70 percent of its cost in the sale price, consistent with national ROI data for window replacements. Combined with the faster sale (less carrying cost), they considered it money well spent.

What These Stories Have in Common

Every transformation is different, but a few themes come up again and again:

1. The comfort improvement is immediate. From day one, homeowners notice the difference in drafts, cold spots, and overall comfort.
2. Energy savings are real and measurable. Our customers consistently see 25 to 40 percent reductions in heating costs after replacement.
3. The visual impact is bigger than expected. New windows change the look and feel of a home more than most people anticipate.
4. Most people wish they had done it sooner. We hear this in almost every follow-up call.

Your Transformation Is Next

Every home in this article started with a phone call or an online inquiry. If you have been thinking about replacing your windows, the first step is a free consultation where we assess your current situation and show you what is possible.

Start Your Window Transformation

Call (719) 238-5419 or read what other homeowners say in our customer reviews. We would love to add your home to our gallery.