Window Replacement

When is the best time to replace your windows? The simple answer is now. Most homes that have been constructed in the past 20 years were built using builder’s grade materials. In other words, the windows were not built to last. The sooner you put new replacement windows into your home, the sooner you can realize the benefits. You will enjoy improved energy efficiency, which will lower the monthly bills. You will also have more attractive curb appeal and enhanced interior aesthetics. And if you decide to sell your home, you can leverage the improved windows as a contributing asset to the home’s value. 

Taking the first step in the window replacement process can be difficult and overwhelming. Many homeowners are not sure that their windows need to be replaced. So one question that we get time and time again is, “How do I know when my windows need to be replaced? Are there any tell-tale signs?” The following are a few questions that we recommend you ask yourself when determining whether or not your windows need to be replaced: 

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 seasons. As a result, the fit of the window can become compromised thereby making the window susceptible to leaking. 

Do you have trouble opening or closing your windows? Although mechanism failure can sometimes be repaired, it is more likely a 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. You can always have a handyman tinker with the window to make it operational, but this route may be costly and repetitive. 

Do you feel a draft? In other words, on a windy day are you able to feel a draft pass through the window cavity? If you feel air coming through, heat or air conditioning is seeping out. A drafty window is a clear call to action to replace your windows. Some homeowners like to use the “tissue test” to determine the severity of their drafting. To complete this test, wait for a windy day and take a tissue and hold it by the frame of your window. If the window is still maintaining a good fit, the tissue will not move. If the window is compromised, you will see clear movement of the tissue. If the tissue moves, it’s time to get your windows replaced. 

Is there cloudiness or fogginess between the glass of the window? 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, but if your window frame has been warped or compromised in any way, the problem will reoccur. In addition to the unsightly discoloration and fogging that results from seal failure, you are also losing the insulation provided by the heavy gas (like argon) used to insulate the window between the two panes of glass. Seal failure is definitely a red flag that the window needs to be replaced. 

Are your windows single paned? Most windows made today have two panes of glass with a heavy insulating clear gas in the middle. If your window is old enough to be single paned, it most likely needs to be replaced. Single paned glass windows are usually only used in homes that need to preserve historical authenticity. But even so, most historical societies will allow double paned glass because of the significant insulation that double paned windows provide.