What New Windows Taught Me About Change

They say change begins at home. I used to think that was just a nice phrase people put on Pinterest boards. But recently, I’ve started to feel it — in ways I didn’t expect.

It started with a draft.

Every winter, like clockwork, the living room in our old house in Edina would grow cold no matter how high we set the heat. I used to wrap myself in layers and tell myself it was fine. “It’s an old house,” I’d say. “It’s just character.”

But deep down, I was tired of freezing through movie nights and seeing our energy bill climb for no good reason.

I knew the windows needed to be replaced. They were decades old, single-pane, and cracked in places. But I also knew how overwhelming that kind of home project could be — all the choices, the companies, the pricing, the mess. So, like many homeowners, I put it off.

Until I couldn’t anymore.

That’s when I started looking into window replacement in Edina, and everything changed.

The Difference Good Windows Make

I won’t pretend I knew much about windows when I started. But the more I read, the more I realized how much energy (and money) we were losing every single day. Not to mention the noise — we live close to a busy road, and I’d just accepted that background hum as part of life.

Finding a reliable company felt like a big leap. I wanted someone local, someone who actually cared about the homes they worked on. That’s how I ended up on the website for A-Core Construction, and honestly, I’m glad I did.

They had experience with window replacement across Minnesota, including not just Edina but also Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and even as far as Richfield. What stood out to me wasn’t just the services they offered — it was how clearly they explained the process. No fluff, no hard sell. Just honest information and helpful guidance.

It felt like talking to a neighbor.

More Than Just A Home Project

When the crew finally came to replace our windows, I expected disruption. What I didn’t expect was how symbolic it all felt.

There’s something powerful about watching the old get carefully removed, piece by piece, to make way for the new. About seeing a part of your home that you’d ignored for years suddenly get attention, care, and improvement.

The new windows didn’t just keep out the cold — they changed how I saw the space. Everything looked a little brighter. The house felt quieter. The corners of the room that always seemed gloomy were suddenly full of light.

I started sitting in places I’d ignored before. Reading longer. Opening the blinds more often.

It wasn’t just a window replacement. It was a shift.

Why Edina (And Its Neighbors) Deserve Better Windows

One thing I learned through all this is that not every town is created equal when it comes to home upgrades. In Edina, a lot of the homes were built mid-century or earlier — and many still have their original windows. That’s charming in theory, but not so much when you’re dealing with cold drafts in January.

And it’s not just Edina. Friends in Bloomington and Eden Prairie have told me the same story. Outdated windows, rising energy bills, and that same fear of dealing with a contractor who won’t call back.

So, if you’re in one of these cities — or even nearby in Minnetonka or Richfield — let me say this: It’s worth looking into. Replacing your windows isn’t just about comfort. It’s about peace of mind, long-term savings, and — oddly enough — joy. Real joy, from feeling like your home finally fits you again.

What I’d Tell a Friend

If you were sitting across from me at my kitchen table, coffee in hand, I’d tell you this:

Don’t wait as long as I did.

Don’t settle for a home that makes you uncomfortable, just because the change feels too big. Start by learning. Read a little. Talk to someone local. Maybe even check out the window replacement services from A-Core Construction and see if they’re a fit.

Sometimes the smallest decisions — like finally replacing your windows — open the door to bigger ones. More light. More warmth. More peace.

And isn’t that what home should be?

— Rachel