Ensuring that your windows are kept in good condition and replaced when issues arise is an important part of keeping your home comfortable and energy-efficient.
Windows are a lovely and essential part of the home. However, when windows age and deteriorate, or become damaged, it can cause a multitude of headaches--sometimes literally!
If you're unsure whether or not you should replace windows in your home, here are a few of the signs to keep an eye out for!
Increased Outdoor Noise:
With good, high-quality windows, you shouldn't be able to hear much outside noise. If you can hear passing cars, neighborhood dogs, or conversations outside it usually indicates that the window seal is failing, or wasn't done properly in the first place. This can happen due to age, or that the window itself was not manufactured well. Irritating and frequent outdoor disturbances are common reasons to replace windows, as no one wants to overhear every little thing from the neighborhood.
Uncomfortable Drafts:
Feeling frequent drafts when you're by the closed windows is another good indicator of a failing seal or perhaps an improperly hung window. This can be a real problem, especially during the colder months of the year. When your windows allow in outside air, it can throw off the balance of the home's internal temperature. This means that your HVAC systems have to work harder to keep the home comfortable, driving up your energy bills while making the home less energy-efficient and increasing your output of harmful elements into the atmosphere.
If you're looking into bettering your home's energy efficiency and indoor comfort, it's worthwhile to look into window replacements, especially if you're experiencing discomfort near the windows, and noticing persistent drafts that force you to adjust the thermostat.
Damage Or Decay To Window Frames:
Being exposed to the elements, harsh weather patterns, as well as age and exposure to the sun, weaken the structural integrity of the window frame over time. Storms can throw debris against the windows, leading to cracks and damage to the external frame, such as impact damage and rot from frequent wet weather. If upon inspecting your windows after a bout of harsh weather, you notice chipping, cracks, broken glass, rotting sections of frame, mold, or decay--it's time to call a window replacement company.
Excessive Condensation Between Glass Panes:
If you've noticed 'fog' or 'sweat' forming between the window panes, this is another indication of a failing seal and a good reason to replace windows. If the seal of the window was functioning properly, water vapor would be unable to work its way between the panes of glass, where it could then condense into the hazy white mist against the window, obscuring your view outside. The fog itself is more of an aesthetic issue, but the cause is troublesome and indicative of a need for repair or window replacement.
Single Paned Glass:
While most modern windows are double-paned or even triple-paned, there are still homes with single-paned windows. These windows are unfortunately rather inefficient at reducing thermal transfer. With such a thin layer between the indoors and outdoors, you'll be able to feel the chill or the heat of the day through the window itself. Single paned windows aren't insulated, leading them to be a drain on your HVAC unit over time.
Double-paned glass is the most popular option on the market, especially for replacement windows, as it insulates far better than single-paned glass, and therefore saves you the extra cash on your utility bills. While triple-paned glass is the best option, it isn't always necessary, as double-paned glass can be more than enough, especially with models that add inert argon gas between the panes for extra insulating capability. If you're looking to replace windows in your home, be sure to ask your chosen window replacement company about the benefits of double and triple-paned glass.
Difficult To Operate:
The windows in your homes aren't just for looking out of- they also exist for additional airflow through the house. It's a wonderful feeling to sit by an open window on a nice, breezy day with a good book, but you might miss out on that feeling if the windows don't function properly. Windows that are hard to open or close are a good candidate for window replacement, so make sure to check around the home for sticking and difficult windows!
Important Considerations For Window Replacement
When looking into any sort of home improvement project, adequate research should be done before investing time and money into it. The windows in your home can influence indoor comfort, energy efficiency, light levels, and curb appeal, making window replacement more than a worthwhile investment.
How Long Do Windows Last?
Depending on the material used to construct the window, it has the capacity to last a longer or shorter time. Wood windows tend to last around 20 years, while vinyl windows can withstand the elements for much longer, being a non-degrading material with good durability. There are other factors that play into the lifespan of a window and whether or not to replace windows, of course, such as:
Factors In Window Longevity:
- Quality of the window material
- Local climate and weather patterns
- How well the window was installed
- How often the window is opened
- How often maintenance has been performed on the window
- And more
Should You Do A Total Home Window Replacement?
This is a good question since presumably, you installed your windows all at once, therefore shouldn't you replace windows all at once? However, it's not always necessary. When you're looking into a window replacement job, pay close attention to where around the house you feel drafts, notice fogging, cracking, or rotting. If you only find issues with one or two windows, you're most likely safe to only replace those windows.
Finding A Window Replacement Company
Window replacement isn't a job that's recommended to tackle on your own. With such an important task, it should really be left to the professionals to ensure that the job is done right.
HomePro Match is here to help, with a database of trusted, highly trained, and experienced local contractors to help you with any and all of your home improvement needs! Reach out for your free, no-obligation estimate, today!