How to Tell If Your Windows Need Replacing
Worker in the background installing new three pane wooden windows in an old wooden house with a new window in the foreground. Home renovation sustainable living energy efficiency concept.
Having windows that are in great shape certainly adds value to your home. But, how can you tell when it’s time to replace them? When installed properly, windows can last for years without needing to be updated. However, if the windows in your home do need a makeover, there are a few telltale signs that will help you to get the timing right and prevent you from replacing windows that are still functioning well. Here are some things to look out for in your home.
1. You can feel a draft.
All windows, even if installed perfectly will let a very small amount of air in and out when they are closed. This is totally normal. But if you are walking by your windows and you notice that you can actually feel the draft of air then that’s when it’s time for concern. This will affect the temperature in your home, not to mention your electricity or gas bill.
There are a few reasons that older windows have a tendency to let in more unwanted outdoor air. For one, as new homes start to settle, the framing naturally adjusts. Sometimes, if the windows weren’t installed properly this will leave gaps and opportunities for air or worse, water to penetrate through the framework. Another reason for drafts is that wooden frames, especially in colder or seasonal climates expand, contract and warp. The more winters these frames weather, the higher the chance for unwanted drafts to pull through.
While many windows are built to stand the test of time, like everything else, it’s a good idea to check for deterioration with age. If your windows don’t looks as clear anymore, there is a very good reason for that. Glass is actually scientifically considered to be a liquid, not a solid. That’s why over the years it warps and distorts. After about fifty years, if it is not broken or destroyed by then, you can barely see through it at all!
Also, after ten years, there is a good chance that there will be a few windows in a home that have been subject to some type of wear and tear, whether it be from chips, or fractures. Not only will fractures obstruct your view, and potentially drive up your heating bill, but falling glass is incredibly dangerous in the even that one of the cracked windows breaks. All it takes is a flash freezing or extreme dip in temperature cause a fracture to shatter. It’s definitely better to replace your windows during a warmer season than to have to band aid a solution in the middle of winter!
2. It’s difficult to open or shut your windows.
If you’re having difficulty opening and closing your windows, this is a sign that they need to be replaced. Many slider windows lose their ability to “slide” open over time. As well, it was mentioned above that wood warps. This is another reason why a window may be difficult to open.
3. You see condensation.
This is a very bad sign. Condensation can lead to mold growth and many allergens. It also might be an indication of a bigger problem like a water leak. This is a situation that should be addressed immediately. Maintain a healthy home environment for you and your family by replacing your windows if something is causing condensation between panels of double or triple paneled windows.