Feeling a bit of a cold draft in areas inside your home, but chalking it up to a minor inconvenience and throwing on a warmer sweater? While it can be tempting to skip out on home improvements and renovations for as long as possible due to the monetary investment required, at some point, the time comes when ignoring the issue proves itself to be more costly than dealing with it on time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
When installed correctly, windows are designed to serve your\nfamily and home for many years, but as with all things, they do not last\nforever. Ignoring the need for the replacement of your old, leaky, and unsecure\nwindows can lead to a number of issues including increased energy bills,\ncompromised home safety, and water damage, among others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing the signs that it may be time to replace your windows will\nhelp you to start differentiating inconveniences and maintenance from major\nissues, and budgeting for their replacement. Below we\u2019ll be identifying the top\n8 indications that you should look out for in order to determine when it is\ntime to seriously consider investing in new windows<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n From structural integrity issues to functional and energy-related issues; here are a number of telltale signs that should indicate to you that it is time to take action on having your windows professionally inspected and replaced.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) Your windows are tightly closed, but you still feel a\ndraft. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This may be more common in older homes, but if you\u2019re feeling a draft or breeze coming from your windows even when they are tightly shut, this could be an indication that it is time to have them replaced. There are a number of ways to draft-proof your windows<\/a>, but at a certain point, if you are consistently feeling hot or cold air coming in, this is a good indication that your windows may have faulty seals, or that they are failing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) Your energy bills are increasing, but you\u2019re not sure\nwhy. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Windows and drafts also play a large factor in your HVAC bills,\nand there is nothing worse than your bills slowly creeping upwards without\nexplanation. Aging or compromised windows play a large factor here and can\naffect the energy efficiency of your home. Having new windows installed\ndefinitely aids in the regulation of temperatures, and takes the pressure off\nof your HVAC system, ensuring that it does not have to work harder than\nnecessary. This means that window replacements can play a key role in\ndecreasing your monthly energy bills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3) It seems to be getting louder inside your home. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your windows serve, in part, to protect you from the outside world.\nIf you are noticing an increase in external noises, this could be an indication\nthat your windows may not be properly sealed, that they are failing, or that it\nis time to upgrade to double or triple-paned glass. Double or triple-paned\nwindows work to better keep sounds from entering your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 4) You seem to be having trouble opening, closing, or locking your\nwindows. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The components of a window that work to ensure it functions\nsmoothly do wear out over time. It is not uncommon to experience a few\nmaintenance issues, but when windows begin to increasingly lose functionality,\nor become difficult to operate on a regular basis, this is a sign that it may\nbe time to get them replaced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Functional troubles could mean that your windows were not installed properly<\/a> to begin with and are now\nexperiencing balancing issues, limiting their ability to adequately open or\nclose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Windows that are rusting or rotting may also become difficult to\nlock, which puts your family\u2019s safety and protection in jeopardy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, any issues with properly securing windows shut can create\nvulnerability in terms of allowing moisture to become trapped within your\nwindows. Trapped moisture can then lead to additional structural damage over\ntime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5) You\u2019re noticing that your window frames look or feel\ncompromised. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Something to keep an eye out for is the integrity of your window\nframes. If they appear to be soft or chipped, it is likely that they are compromised\nand at the end of their life span. As mentioned above, issues such as water\ndamage can lead to the deterioration of your frames, which can then lead to\nmold, rotting, and further structural challenges. If they haven\u2019t already, you\nmay notice that your frames begin to change shape and sag if the issue is not\ndealt with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 6) You notice cracks or damage to the actual panes of your\nwindows. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one of the more obvious signs – but if you are noticing cracks in your window panes, it is definitely time to get them looked at. Similar to a lot of the other telltale signs listed above, cracked panes can become expensive in many different ways. From letting drafts in and therefore increasing energy bills to damaging the interior of your home by way of moisture damage, it is important to replace cracked windows before they turn exponentially costly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7) You\u2019re noticing more than a little bit of condensation on your\nwindow glass. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Condensation<\/a> is an easy way to spot\nmalfunctioning home windows and serves as an indicator that heat and moisture\nare not being properly blocked from infiltrating your home. If you are noticing\na constant build-up of condensation between your window panes, this may\nindicate it is time to get them looked at before a more serious issue\narises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Noticing a build-up of frost or condensation between the layers of glass that make up your windows is usually a sign that your window seals have failed, and failing seals can lead to a number of different issues. Most notably, failed seals can greatly impact and diminish the energy efficiency of your windows and in turn your home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also worthy to note that you should look out for a white\nfilm on the panes of your glass, caused by leftover calcium that remains intact\nonce any moisture evaporates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 8) You are noticing that your windows no longer match the\naesthetic of your home and other homes on your street. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes the need for a window replacement can stem from changing\ntastes. Perhaps you just moved into a new home and are noticing that the\nwindows don\u2019t particularly match your tastes, or you\u2019re starting to notice that\nyour windows are seeming a bit dated as you complete other home renovations.\nEither way, outdated aesthetics can also be a reason to explore window\nreplacements, and with a variety of styles, colours, and configurations to\nchoose from, there are beautiful options available for all styles and\nbudgets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you notice any of the above signs in any of your home windows,\nit is safe to make the assumption that they are no longer functioning to their\nfull potential, and that it may be time for a professional inspection. Aside\nfrom protecting the safety of your family and the structural integrity of your\nhome, installing new windows can increase the overall energy efficiency of your\nhome and help lower your monthly heating and cooling costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another factor to consider is the advancement of technology since\nyour windows were last replaced. Consider factors such as the evolution of energy efficiency<\/a> in windows and Energy Star\nratings, professional installations, window security features, materials and\nglass thickness, and warranties. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, When Should I Replace My Windows? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve Noticed One or More of The Above \u2013 Now What? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n