When to replace house windows

Whether you’re listening or not, your windows are telling you something. They voice their condition through visual and functional details. Although predicting the lifespan of a new window is impossible, it’s easy to evaluate how well one is holding up in your home. Let’s take a look at the most common signs that a window needs a replacement.

• Fog or frost builds on the glass.
  • Condensation usually signals a leak somewhere in your window. Check the junctions between the frame, the wall, and the glass or vinyl for a broken seal. If the problem area is small, you may be able to use sealant to fix the problem. But if it extends beyond an isolated leak, you will likely need to replace the window.
• The frame is warped.
  • If your window won’t open, looks damaged, or has become drafty, the frame could be warped. This might also be a major culprit of condensation. Warped frames are almost always worth replacement over repair—even if you can fix them for the short term, they’ll likely cause more problems later on.
• Your energy bill is rising.
  • There is a good chance that faulty windows are contributing to a rising energy bill. However, it’s important to make a thorough inspection to ensure that this is the case before committing to replacements.
• Previous repairs have failed.
  • When repairs haven’t done the trick, it’s probably a good time for a replacement. It will cost less in the long term to maintain a functional window than to keep fixing a failing one, especially in harsh climates.
• You want to update the appearance of your home.
  • Windows can open up the interior spaces of your house and add new design elements to the exterior. If you consider installing new windows, you can rearrange their placement or combine smaller windows into larger ones to brighten rooms and modernize your style.
• You’re planning to sell your home soon.
  • Energy efficiency is a major variable in the cost of maintaining a home. Updated windows are a good selling point in terms of maintenance costs and typically have a substantial return on investment. If your windows are already in worse shape than average, this is especially important.

Do your windows need to be replaced? Contact us today and talk to an expert!

When Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?

If your home has older windows, should you replace them with new, more energy efficient ones? Here’s a quick guide to the pros and cons.

First, do you need new windows? If your home has single-pane glass windows, you might want to consider energy-efficient windows that will provide moderation from summer heat and winter cold. Single-pane windows may also have warped frames, causing energy inefficiency.

If your windows are double-paned but more than 15 years old, and especially if they are low priced “builder grade” windows in a tract home, you might also consider replacements.

With new windows, you should see a 15 percent per year reduction in energy costs. Be sure to purchase windows with the federal Energy Star certification. You might also be eligible for energy rebates from your local utility provider, local government and the federal government.

New windows will also add value to your home, improving resale, although you will probably only recover 80% of your cost in resale. The remaining savings will be from lower monthly energy bills.

Wooden windows. Nothing beats the classic look of wooden window frames. They are energy efficient, but require periodic painting and are subject to water damage. Wooden windows are at the upper end on price.

Vinyl windows. Probably the best “bang for the buck” in replacement windows, vinyl-framed windows are strong and a great temperature insulator. They are affordable and almost maintenance free. The downside: in extreme temperatures vinyl can warp and cause the glass panes to lose their seal. Vinyl cannot be painted, so the color you choose is permanent.

Fiberglass windows. This is probably the strongest contender for all-around best replacement window. It is also virtually maintenance free, an excellent temperature insulator, not vulnerable to temperature extremes and can be painted. It is more expensive than vinyl, priced closer to that of wood.

Aluminum windows. Probably the least appealing choice, aluminum is lightweight and strong and can be painted. But it is a poor insulator. Many older window frames, the kind you may be considering replacing, were some of the earliest versions of aluminum.

Low E glass. Another important energy efficient feature to look for is what is known as “Low E” glass. This means the glass has been treated with a special coating to prevent the sun’s infrared heat from penetrating your home while allowing light in. This is particularly helpful in the hot southern states.

14 Signs to Replace Your Windows or NOT

Like anything in your home, windows don’t last forever, and eventually, you may need to consider buying new ones. The problem is, windows can be among the most expensive features of a home to replace, meaning this is no small decision.

When should you think about buying new windows? What are the signs that they need replacing? And when is it ok to leave them as they are? Here we look at questions like these and more as we discuss everything about when to replace windows.

Why do people choose to replace windows?

There are many reasons why people choose to replace their windows, so let’s start by thinking about some of these now.

Reduce energy bills

Perhaps one of the main reasons people consider buying new windows is to reduce the amount they spend on heating their house in the winter or cooling it in the summer.

Single-pane windows can allow a lot of heat to escape during cold weather due to the lack of insulation, and in the summer, the sun’s rays can penetrate your home, making it uncomfortably hot.

For this reason, for people whose homes are not particularly energy-efficient, the decision to replace their windows may come from a desire to save money in the long run.

Enhance the look of a house

Not everybody decides to buy new windows for the financial savings they offer down the line, and for some, the decision to buy new windows is a purely aesthetic one.

Windows are one of the most noticeable features of any building, and if you want to give your home a stunning new look, adding new windows could be just the way to achieve the desired effect.

Unlike replacing windows to help reduce energy bills, when you replace windows just for the looks, you are probably not thinking about being able to recoup the investment but rather are spending the money to make your home more pleasant to live in.

Having said that, installing attractive new windows can increase the value of a house, so when it comes to selling it, you may be able to recoup some of your investment.

Soundproofing

Another reason why people choose to replace windows could be related to noise. Like with installing windows for cosmetic reasons, installing windows for soundproofing is about improving your quality of life – but it can also add value to your house.

Damaged windows

As we mentioned before, windows don’t last forever, and eventually, they will need replacing simply due to natural deterioration.

When to think about buying new windows

We have looked at some of the most common reasons why people decide to replace windows – although there are more. Now let’s think about some of the signs you should look for that can tell you the time is right for new windows.

1. Drafts

If you can detect drafts coming in through your windows, it can be a sure sign that they need replacing. In the winter, cold drafts mean you are spending lots more money than you need to on keeping your home warm, and the gaps in windows are seriously reducing the energy efficiency.

Check for cold air around the edges of the windows, something that will be more noticeable during the colder months. Also, you may even be able to hear the noise of the wind finding its way in through the gaps.

These problems may be due to old, energy-inefficient windows or windows that have lost their shape through age, and drafts are a clear sign that you might need to consider fitting new ones.

2. Rotting or damaged windows

Modern windows tend to be made of durable synthetic materials like vinyl, and these materials tend to last longer. However, older windows are more likely to be made of wood, and these may eventually rot.

Similarly, windows may be become damaged with age and use, and this may cause them to become warped. Sometimes, superficial damage can be repaired, but if the damage is serious, replacing the windows can be the only option.

3. High heating bills

Even if you can’t feel drafts from your windows, high heating bills might be a sign that you need to consider installing new windows.

Installing new windows can be very expensive, but modern windows are far more energy-efficient than old ones. It might take you several years to recoup the initial outlay, but once installed, you will see your heating bills drop.

For this reason, if you think your bills are particularly high, installing windows could be the long-term solution you need.

4. Difficult to open or close

Are you windows difficult to open and close? Windows that are “heavy” or stiff are a pain to use while modern ones should be easy to operate. If you find yourself struggling with the window every time you want to let in a bit of a breeze or shut out the cold, this might be a good indication that you should think about replacements.

5. Condensation

Double-pane windows should be airtight, so if you notice condensation on the inside of the panes, this means the seal has failed and the windows will probably need replacing.

6. Single-pane windows

If you have single-pane windows, you may choose to replace them simply because double panes are so much better – single-pane windows are not energy efficient and may even represent a security risk since they can be easy to smash.

For these reasons, if your house only has single-pane windows, you may choose to replace them and upgrade to more modern double-pane versions.

7. Storm damage

If you live in an area prone to storms, if your home suffers significant damage from a big storm, you may need to replace the windows.

8. Noise pollution

As we mentioned above, windows can play a part in reducing the amount of noise you can hear, and if you find you are being kept awake at night by the sounds from the street, this could also be a good time to think about investing in new windows.

When shouldn’t you replace your windows?

Now let’s have a look at some of the reasons you might think about sticking with the windows you have rather than opting to change them.

1. Painted closed sash

If your window is painted closed, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace it. In this case, if you contact a window specialist, they may be able to repair the window and put it back into working order for considerably less than it would cost you to replace it entirely.

2. Broken panes

A ball through the window doesn’t have to mean you need to replace the whole thing. Instead, you can simply replace the broken pane, a process known as ‘reglazing’. This can still cost quite a bit, but it’s still much cheaper than paying for a whole new window.

3. Rot or other superficial damage

If you have wooden windows that have begun to rot, it doesn’t necessarily have to mean the end for them. If you catch them early enough and have them treated by a professional, you may be able to save them.

The same may also be true for other superficial damage, but the key is taking action early enough. If you just ignore the problem until it gets worse, by the time you call someone in to look at it, it may be too late.

4. Jammed windows

Jammed windows can sometimes be repaired without the need for replacements. It depends on why the window is jamming – for example, if the problem is due to the foundations of the house having shifted slightly, you may well need to have a new window fitted.

Another serious problem is when the frame begins to deteriorate significantly, something that will also require a replacement window.

However, make sure you find out why the window is blocked since you may find that there is a cheaper solution, even if it is just a temporary one.

5. Needs caulking

Sometimes if you are experiencing problems with drafts, there could be a more inexpensive option than replacing the whole window.

Before taking the decision to replace a window, check the caulking. If it is old, you may be able to solve the problem simply by recaulking the window instead.

If possible, this will cost you far less than replacing the window. You simply need to remove the old caulking and redo the job with new caulking. This should keep the drafts at bay for a few years to come, helping save you a lot of money.

6. Historic windows

If you live in an old house with historic windows, it might be a better idea to try to preserve them rather than replace them. While adding modern windows can be more practical, with historic buildings, they can ruin the overall visual effect, and in this case, finding a way to restore the windows could be a better option.

A tough call

Deciding whether to replace windows can be a tough call. If you decide to go through with it, it’s an expensive job – but you can also make considerable savings in the long run due to the reduction in your heating bill.

Sometimes there can be other solutions, and where possible, you might prefer to have windows repaired rather than replaced altogether. However, every homeowner has to accept that windows won’t last forever, and eventually, they will need replacing.