There comes a time in every long-term homeowner’s life when they have to ask themselves, “Do I need to replace my windows?” It usually isn’t on the top of the wish list like a new swimming pool or deck but nevertheless, windows can improve the look of your home inside and out and can also improve the overall energy efficiency of your home. But when is replacement necessary? If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may need to replace your windows.
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- Are your windows over 20 years old? If your windows were installed 20 years ago, they are probably made of wood or vinyl. Both of these materials expand and contract with the changing temperatures of the progressing seasons. As a result, the fit of the window can become compromised thereby making the window susceptible to drafting. Compromising can start as early as 7 years in a wood or vinyl window, so keep an eye on your windows if they are made of either.
- Do you have trouble opening or closing your windows? Although mechanism and/or balance failure can sometimes be repaired, it is more likely the sign of total unit compromise. If your windows are sticking it often means that the window has expanded and contracted over time and has potentially warped its shape, making it difficult to maintain the track system that opens and closes your window.
- Do you feel a draft? In other words, on a windy day are you able to feel a draft pass through the window cavity? As discussed above, if your windows are made of wood or vinyl, they will expand and contract over time leaving you susceptible to drafty windows. If you feel air coming through, heat or air conditioning is seeping out. A drafty window is definitely a call to action to replace your windows. You will benefit from increased energy efficiency and a more comfortable living space.
- Is their cloudiness or fogginess between the glass of the window? This is different from condensation (ie, water collecting on the outside or inside of your window due to humidity). Seal failure is the cause of discoloration or fog within the window panes of glass; you will not be able to wipe it off with your hand or a cloth. In some cases you can just replace the glass in this situation, but if your window frame has been warped or compromised in any way, the problem will reoccur. A full window replacement may be the more practical long-term solution.
- Are your windows single paned? Most windows made today have two panes of glass with an insulating clear gas in the middle. If your window is old enough to be single paned, it most likely needs to be replaced. Due to inefficiency, a clear single-paned glass window is a lot less energy efficient than double or triple paned glass.