As time passes, your once excellent windows may start to show signs of deterioration, causing health and associated problems. As one of the most important features of any home, windows should remain in perfect working condition all year round.
They are key in keeping your home well-lit, ventilated, and connected to the outdoors. When perfectly installed, windows are crucial in keeping your home secure, energy efficient, and comfortable.
Many homeowners never realize their windows are in bad shape until the problem is in its advanced stages. At this stage, it’s only practical for you to replace your windows. Here are five major signs that your windows are due for replacement.
Regular Cold Spots and Drafts
If you live in regions with winter weather, you perfectly understand how a single cold air passage into your home can wreak havoc. If your windows have cold spots and drafts, you’ll most likely experience regular cold wind hitting you whenever you sit or stand next to your window.
These winds are persistent even if you’re heating your space on full blast. When you notice this, it’s mostly because your windows have developed gaps, worn seals, or thin glazings in the frames, allowing the cold air into your home.
Since this issue is common with older single-glazed window frames or early double-glazed units, it’s best to replace them if you have some in your windows.
Consult local experts for an inspection and expert review of the best replacement options. For instance, if seeking window replacement in Ocean City, you can trust your local experts to complete the work through the most efficient procedure.
Your Windows Are Old and Energy Inefficient
Natural ageing affects your windows’ performance when time passes, making them fail in almost every function. If your windows have served you for at least 20 years, the chances of them failing or exhibiting wear and tear are high.
You can start shopping for original windows that fit just as well as your deteriorating ones once you notice signs of weakness and failing parts.
Another reason for replacing old windows is how they were designed. Over two decades old windows are mostly made using pane glass, either single or double panes, which aren’t so energy efficient. Replacing them with newer, more energy-efficient designs can help reduce your monthly energy bill.
With the Energy Star Program for rating windows that started in 1992, you can now shop for energy-efficient windows that perfectly replace your older ones.
Most energy-efficient windows these days come with Low-E glass, which maintains a constant temperature within your home all year round. With this type of glass, you can trust that your energy bills won’t rise with changing seasons.
Condensation Can Be Spotted Between the Panes
If you’re using double-glazed window panes, condensation between the panes is the last thing you would expect. Normally, you can expect internal condensation due to high indoor humidity, but when it happens between the panes, it’s a sign of a failed sealed unit.
When a double-glazed sealed unit fails, moisture passes through, entering the space between the glass. A continued repeat of this process causes the insulating gas to escape, making your window less effective at retaining heat.
With failed seals, there’s not much hope that your window will perform as it should, and if anything, it’s a cue to get a replacement window as soon as possible. You can choose to replace only the affected unit or the entire window for best performance against moisture and heat loss.
When it’s a Struggle to Open or Close Your Windows
Perfectly fitted windows should naturally open and close without any struggle. However, if your windows start to get stuck when you open them or if they won’t open at all, you may need to replace them sooner with better-performing ones.
Several factors can cause your windows to get stuck shut, including tight springs, a dust pile-up, or a problem with the roller system. With time, the accumulation of moisture or temperature fluctuations can cause the frames to swell or warp and the moving parts to corrode and wear down.
Since a window’s main job is to allow easy airflow in and out of the house, it becomes practically useless if it can’t open or close effectively. That’s why replacement is always the best solution for a stuck window. You also don’t want to compromise your home’s safety as you continue to use a faulty, stuck window unit that should be replaced.
Outdated Aesthetics
You might have purchased your home when your current window design was the trend, and sadly, that might not be the case anymore. With more window designs launching occasionally, you may want to replace outdated ones to improve your exterior aesthetics. New windows can offer a more pleasing look, improve outdoor visibility, and, in some instances, boost your curb appeal.
Take your time to search for the right replacement option for your home’s budget and architectural design. The best choice should last you many years before considering another replacement project.
Replacing a window might not be the fanciest project you hoped to handle this year, but when it’s due, you must attend to it to avoid further harm. Whether it’s because of cold spots and drafts or outdated aesthetics, you must ensure effective replacement for expedited return to normalcy.