Signs to replace your window

When the weather conditions outside your home begin to take a toll on the conditions within, then it’s a sure pointer that the windows of your home aren’t working as they should. Here are some hints to help you determine whether or not you need to just repair them or whether you need to go the whole hog and replace them with newer energy-efficient ones.

When your windows have single-pane glass.

Single-paned glass windows are far from energy-efficient. They directly conduct heat as well as cold into the home causing significant energy loss. They often freeze open or shut and in winter become icy to the touch. Often frost develops on the inside of the window pane, increasing the possibility of breakage and ultimate damage to your home.

When your home feels draughty.

The best of windows allow a slight amount of air infiltration, but it should not be something you can feel or notice. Wooden windows often get warped due to exposure to damp, making it hard to open in some places and creating gaps in others. The corners of the sashes and frames of your windows may have become loose thus allowing air to penetrate. Sealing and weather stripping can, at the most, be a temporary fix, since sealants expand and contract causing gaps again.

To check, stand with a lit candle near the window.  Your suspicion that your windows are not providing proper insulation will be confirmed if the flame flickers or goes out. Another way to check is to shine a flashlight from outside the window, through the perimeter and any interlocking point of your windows.  If light is noticed coming through into the home, caulk or seal failure is confirmed. Escaping air greatly reduces the energy efficiency of your home.

When your windows are difficult to open and close.

With age, the frames and sills of windows warp and swell. It’s time to change your windows if you experience difficulty in opening or closing them or if they need props to stay open or they are painted and swollen shut. Besides being an important security concern, this can pose a serious danger in the event of fire or other emergencies. Inspect your windows to see if they operate smoothly and all parts are structurally secure. Especially check for wood rot.  Remember that maintenance and repairs, though cost-effective, should be compared with cost of replacement by new technology which will bring much greater benefits.

You are plagued with condensation on the inside of the window glass.

Faulty insulation or poor thermal material in your windows may lead to condensation which is essentially caused by excessive temperature differences coupled with excessive humidity. This manifests itself in the form of ice or frost on the inside of the glass or, if you have dual-paned windows, between the panes of glass. Condensation can be the reason for the appearance of mold or mildew and can cause rotting in the structural parts of the window. If repairs do not deal successfully with the problem, the best thing would be to replace the glass and seals or the entire windows themselves.

When your utility bills are high.

There may be more than one reason why your energy bills are very high, but it is quite likely that improperly functioning windows are a major contributing factor. Today’s advanced windows which incorporate efficient design, advanced glass coating and multiple panes with inert gas fills instead of air, can bring about significant improvement in your home’s energy-efficiency and drastically reduce your energy bills. These windows eventually pay for themselves through lower heating and cooling , and sometimes even lighting costs.

When your windows are detracting from the beauty of your home.

When there is chipping, peeling of the exterior paint caused by moisture traveling through improperly sealed windows, if you still have to use storm windows or if your windows are outdated and do not blend with the rest of the home, then it is time to consider upgrading to new, low-maintenance, energy-efficient windows which will offer the latest technologies as well as improve the look of your home. Some new windows also are equipped with a tilt-in sash feature to help you overcome cleaning which can be a major hassle.

Summary.

Windows are meant to make your home bright, airy and comfortable to live in. There are several signposts which indicate they are not doing this and which make it necessary to replace them with windows which will maintain the efficiency, beauty and safety of your home.

Taken from: Guest Post (article, By Michael Joseph), Google (images).