5 Signs That Your Windows Need to Be Replaced

 

Like your roof, the windows on your home provide you with a number of services. They help protect your home from the elements. They keeping your heating and cooling in and the wind out. The thing about windows is that they do not last forever. Over the recent decades, great strides have been made to make windows more energy efficient. Homeowners who contract with someone for installing windows that are new can have a return on investment of 80%, according to the National Association of Realtors. The problem many homeowners have is determining when the time for a residential window replacement has arrived. Here are some signs that your windows may have reached the end of their lifespan:

1. Your energy bills are going way up. For typical American energy bill, nearly 45% is to heat the home, according to the Department of Energy. When your windows are drafty and old, that can increase your household utility bill by between 10% and 25%. If you notice an increase in your utility bills, try a simple test. Touch your windows. If they are colder than they should be, your air is being cooled before it reaches them and that is because you need to talk to someone about installing windows that are more efficient. Taking a candle and seeing if the air flow from the window puts it out is another way you can tell if your windows are drafty and that you need a new window installation.
2. Look at how easy it is to open and close your windows. Take a walk to each window and open and close it. Is that easy or hard (or impossible) to do? When windows are operating correctly, it should be easy to open and close them. Over time, windows, especially when they are made of wood, can warp. If you cannot open and close them easily, it is time to look into having your windows replaced.
3. Check out the frames. If you have wooden window frames, they are vulnerable to moisture, which can be deadly for wood products. Over time, this can lead to cracks and decay of the window frames. What may start out with a little bit of warping can lead to problems that are much bigger and can have an impact on other parts of your house. If you see real decay, you should call in an expert and talk to them about installing windows that are new and better for your home. If you start to see your windows are warping, that may indicate you need to upgrade your windows.
4. How much condensation are you seeing? There are times when a little condensation is both not a real issue and is very normal. If you are noticing a lot of condensation on your windows or between them, you should take some time to investigate the cause of it. The problem is that there are times when the fact that there is condensation at all may be a sign that your windows are in need of replacing. The secondary problem is that the moisture can do damage itself. Therefore, if you see this, you should call in an expert to take a look and give you an idea of what is causing the problem and what you can do about it.
5. How much sound is getting through? Depending on where you live and what kind of area it is, your windows can make a big difference in the amount of noise that is coming through. If you are noticing that the traffic from outside is sounding a lot more annoying than usual, without any real changes to the traffic pattern in your area, it may be a sign that you need to bring in someone who knows about installing windows that are new and more soundproof. That can really improve your quality of life in your home.

There are a lot of great reasons to upgrade to the best windows. New, energy-efficient windows are double pained and have argon gas and use low-emissivity (Low-E) to keep your heat and cooling in while making sure the wind and sun have less of an impact on the temperature in your home.