10 Signs That You Need to Replace Old Windows
If you know what to look for, it doesn’t take a professional to know when you’re due for an update. When diagnosing if it’s time for home window replacement be watchful for these ten indicators.
1. Drafts
If it is noticeably colder or hotter beside a window than in the rest of the room, your window may be suffering from poor installation, failing seals, a warped frame or more. The stress that this puts on your HVAC system as it compensates for the fluctuating temperatures can cost hundreds of dollars in utilities over the course of a single season.
2. High Energy Usage
Does it seem as if every winter your electric bill gets higher and higher? Per the Department of Energy, heat gain and loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Not only does this lead to a lot of wasted money, it also means an extra-large carbon footprint. Being environmentally friendly isn’t often associated with cost savings, but in this case going green pays.
3. Outside Noise
If you’re not sure if the meow you heard is your cat or the neighbors’, you may be due for window replacement. It’s pleasant to wake up to birds singing or listen to your windchimes in the afternoon, but you shouldn’t tolerate waking up to the sound of racoons knocking over a trash can down the block. Poor sound insulation is a clear indicator air and moisture are penetrating those windows as well.
4. Decaying Frames
Damaged or warped window frames is one of the clearest signs that you need to replace your old windows with new ones. When wooden window frames are exposed to moisture, they can develop serious problems fast. Built up moisture damage can also cause severe maintenance issues down the road, including mold, rot, sagging and even floor damage. If you notice that your frames are soft to the touch and chipped, your windows are in serious need of an upgrade.
5. Poor Operation
An outdated window often will become more difficult to open and close or lock. This is not just an inconvenience but a home security risk. Unwanted intruders can break in much more easily to a broken or failing window, and in case of a fire, every home needs windows that can easily open as a means of escape.
6. Poor Design
Often moving into a house you’ll notice the prior owner made some choices you can’t understand. Once you’re finished taking the shag carpet out of the bathroom and steaming off the paisley wallpaper, you may want to take a look at the design of the windows. The wrong window can dramatically change the overall look of a home and can even interfere with its integrity. Incorporating replacement windows in a home redesign means greater curb appeal, improved lighting and functionality, and increased home value.
7. Condensation
When hot and cold air meet, some condensation is inevitable. If you find your windows constantly or heavily sweating, however, that means your HVAC system is working harder than it needs to as well. Watch carefully for fogging and frost. Condensation can rot wood molding and damage plaster, and left unaddressed, damage your entire home.
8. Moisture Build-up Within Window
Does it only look as if your window has beads of water on it, when it’s just moisture trapped between the panes? Unfortunately this is a red flag as well. Double or triple-pane windows have argon gas between the panes in an airtight seal that reduces heat transfer. If you can see droplets, fog or frost between the panes of glass, your windows' seals have failed and it's time to replace them.
9. Visible Damage
If your house recently weathered an earthquake or storm, inspect the windows carefully. Your windows are constantly exposed to the elements. Severe weather, strong winds, shifting temperatures and humidity can crack or scratch older windows and frames.
10. Obsolete Window Types
Even in pristine condition, single-pane windows do very little to insulate your home and are rarely used in modern construction. If your house still has aluminum or worn wooden frames you may wish to consider upgrading to vinyl replacement windows. A technologically-advanced energy-efficient window like Builders & Remodelers’ Element Windows by SoftLite can be tailored to your geographic location and directional sun exposure. The ability to customize your windows’ performance can assure maximum energy savings and resistance to condensation.
How to Replace Old Windows with New
Weigh your options.
Many homeowners prefer to repair their old windows rather than beginning a complete home window replacement project. With the right tools and commitment to ongoing maintenance it’s often possible to buy your aging windows a little more time this way, but it’s not always worth the effort and expense. Major problems like wood rot, sagging casements, compromised double or triple-paned glass can’t be solved without window and door replacement. Also, depending on the age of your windows, finding matching replacement hardware may be impossible.
Don’t wait too long.
In many ways a house is like a single organism, all of the architectural features of a house are systems that operate together as a collective whole. The wrong windows can create damage in more ways than one might think. Pressurization can be lost through air leaks, drawing in dust and allergens. UV rays from older windows can discolor and fade carpets and more. The moisture that creeps in can lead to staining, mold growth and warping that can compromise your home’s integrity.
Get peace of mind.
When installing new windows, it’s wise to get a warranty. Protecting your investment in home replacement windows means you maximize the value of your effort. Compare warranty options carefully. Most remodeling and home improvement companies never guarantee their work for more than one year, the minimum required by law. Builders and Remodelers Inc. offer a Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee. We not only hold our workmanship to a higher standard, but are ready to back up our promises.
Choose your company wisely.
Builders & Remodelers’ years of industry experience has helped us find and offer the most energy-efficient and low-maintenance windows available on the market today. The crews from Builders & Remodelers who perform custom home window replacement installations are all licensed, bonded, and insured, as well as full-time employees - specialists, not subcontractors. Our vinyl replacement windows are also Energy Star-rated and boast a .16 U-value (a measure of thermal transfer), which is the lowest available in the industry.
Follow this link for a free consultation or call (612)261-0437 for an instant quote today.
