It’s a question confronting every homeowner as the weather turns blustery. “Should I or shouldn’t I replace my windows,” can be heard throughout New England as Halloween approaches. While in some cases you might not have an immediate urgency to replace your windows, the correct answer will nonetheless depend upon how you answer a few other key questions.

Signs You Need To Replace Your Home’s Windows

Your home’s windows are one of the most overlooked and underappreciated pieces of your home’s exterior. With so much to gain from having properly installed and well maintained windows, it is important to ensure that your home’s windows are kept in good repair! If you’re interested in learning how to identify the signs that your home’s windows need to be replaced, keep reading below for more information!

Drafts

The first, and arguably most obvious, sign that your windows need to be replaced is that you can feel a draft coming from your windows. Drafts become most evident during the winter months when the difference in temperature is far more noticeable. If you can feel the cold permeating through your window frames, it’s likely that either the window was poorly installed, or the seals are beginning to fail. Drafty windows can quickly reduce the energy efficiency of your homes, meaning that if you’re able to feel any draft, you should replace your windows immediately!

Difficulty Operating the Window

Another sign that you should consider replacing your home’s windows is that they are difficult to use. Whether you can’t open them, they’re unable to be locked, or fully closing them isn’t possible, windows that don’t operate well likely aren’t keeping your home well insulated and protected. If using your windows has become a hassle, it likely means that there is something wrong with the windows that’s limiting their ability to work properly. Maybe they’ve rusted in their tracks, maybe the frames are rotting out, or perhaps they’ve absorbed moisture that has warped the windows. Whatever the case may be, if it’s become impossible to use your windows, it’s time to replace them!

Your Frames Are Damaged

Oftentimes, if your windows have become difficult to operate it is because the frames have become damaged. Your window frames often bare the bulk of the damage that occurs to your windows, as they often absorb water or snow which rots out the wood around the windows. If your window frames are soft to the touch, be sure to replace them before they begin to sag under the weight of the window units!

Noise Pollution

Finally, if you’ve noticed that the noise coming from outside your home has been getting louder lately, it may be because your windows are losing their seal and contributing to noise pollution in your home. Just as old windows can become drafty, those same leaks can allow noise in from the outdoors which can affect your ability to sleep or otherwise be comfortable in your home. If you’ve noticed that the noise coming from outside has been louder than usual, consider replacing your windows to help reduce the noise pollution!

Have your heating bills been increasing?

While there are many factors that affect your home’s energy efficiency, windows account for the largest percentage. Nothing dictates the amount of your fuel costs as drastically as your windows’ performance.  Instead of blaming the price of oil, your current heating system, or Mother Nature’s cruel sense of humor, you’d be much better served replacing your windows. For example, if you were to replace your current windows with our Protec window system you would enjoy almost immediate savings. Between our double and triple paned glass and solid wall construction, Protec replacement windows work to keep your money in your wallet.

Have you noticed fading of your rugs and/or furniture?

Another sure sign your windows are beginning to betray you is through fading.  If your favorite couch or love seat looks as if it’s losing its luster then chances are your windows are to blame. UV light generated from the sun will beat down upon your home, offering no quarter until your windows’ glass ultimately gives in, leaving your rugs and furniture exposed to color-stealing rays. Our Protec windows feature the Climaguard glass system, which will protect your furniture’s upholstery for years to come—allowing you to endlessly entertain with a vibrant, colorful décor unharmed from the worst the sun has to throw your way.

Questions To Ask Before Getting New Windows

How old are your windows?

Like everything else in life—except for maybe wine–age will take its toll on your windows. If your current windows are older than fifteen years old you’re going to want to begin the shopping process. Fifteen to twenty years of age will usually classify your windows as elderly, which means you’re more than likely losing energy.

Do you currently have storm windows?

People’s perception of storm windows is often rather misguided.  Storm windows—as their name would suggest—protect your windows from storm related activity.  Nothing else!  What many people do not realize is that since storm windows are constructed from aluminum they are a great conductor of heat and cool air. The problem with that notion is that the storm windows can actually conduct the warm air out of your home in the winter while leaking the cool air during the summer. Quality replacement windows, such as our Protec replacement window, should render the need for storm windows obsolete.  Between the composite construction and Climaguard glass system, the Protec window accomplishes everything a storm window could hope to without the necessity of the actual storm window.

What are your windows made from?

If you’re windows are wood, vinyl, or aluminum then you’re ready for an upgrade. Our Protec replacement windows, for example, is a composite construction created through the blending of polymer and acrylic resins—lending itself to a much stronger and durable window than the aforementioned options.

Do you have single pane windows now?

If you’re windows only feature one pane of glass it is time to remedy that issue. If you’re not sure how many panes are in your current windows there is a very easy industry trick to figure out the answer. Grab a lighter, light it next to one window, and count the flames. Each pane of glass will reflect one flame. Single pane windows—despite how they’re constructed—will turn your home into an energy sieve, leaking heat into the great outdoors and beyond. Keep your heat, and your money, inside your home and invest in either double or pane replacement windows.

That’s enough to digest for now. Next time we’ll look at some more questions you can pose to your windows to see if they’re worthy of staying another winter or if they need a swift replacing. If you would rather not wait for the next blog and prefer to be proactive, you can always reach us at 401-739-1001.