A home’s windows can reveal a lot about the inhabitants of a property. Ugly, broken windows create the impression that the homeowner doesn’t care about their investment and can suggest to passersby that you have little regard for your family’s safety and comfort.
Your home’s windows are an important barrier against criminals and inclement weather, so you must keep them secure and in good repair. Keeping up with the Joneses might not be a priority for you, but it’s important to note that one poorly maintained home can affect property values throughout your neighborhood.
These are the signs that window replacement should be at the top of your home refurbishment list.
1. Noticeable Damage
Even the best quality windows will show signs of wear and tear over their lifespan. Telltale signs that you need to consider replacing your windows include:
- Signs of rot
- Warping
- Failing double glazing
- Discolored uPVC frames
Ongoing maintenance can help delay these window failures, but if you need to spend time repairing your windows more than twice a year, it’s time to replace them. Ignoring these signs of window failure could have serious health and safety consequences for your family.
2. Drafty Windows
Effective home insulation starts with sealing your building’s envelope, and your windows play an important role in this. Unwanted air flow entering your home via your windows can seriously hamper your efforts to keep a comfortable interior temperature.
Extra cool air hampers the functioning of your HVAC system, causing it to use more electricity to maintain an even temperature. These drafts may also cause illness and allow pollution into your space.
Poor-quality materials or installers who fail to measure a window correctly can lead to drafts entering your home via the windows. For the sake of your family’s health and your electricity bills, you must hire a reputable contractor to replace drafty windows as soon as you can.
3. Condensation
Windows are an excellent source of natural light in the home and are also a source of enjoyment if they showcase wonderful exterior views. When moisture makes its way between the panes of double-glazed windows, you’ll lose these benefits.
Moisture causes condensation between the panes of your windows, blurring their appearance. It’s impossible to rectify this situation without replacing your windows.
Condensation can seep onto your window frames, encouraging the growth of harmful mold. You can only spend so much time wiping away condensation from your window frames.
Replacing your windows will save you time and effort, preserve your home’s aesthetics, and help you avoid exposure to harmful organisms.
4. Difficulty Operating the Windows
In an emergency, your home’s windows can be a vital escape route, but they can’t fulfill this function unless you can open them quickly. Sticking, jammed, and difficult-to-open windows are caused by poor installation, sagging due to age, or poor maintenance.
Low-quality uPVC windows expand and contract dramatically depending on the temperature, which can lead to warping. Haphazard maintenance may lead to some windows being painted shut.
If the foundations of your home shift for any reason, your window frames may no longer fit in their designated space and will warp accordingly. Windows that don’t close tightly will hamper your home’s insulation.
You must replace these problem windows and address any underlying issues urgently.
5. Poor Indoor Air Quality
Opening your windows can have a positive effect on your home’s indoor air quality unless you live in a smoggy, polluted area. In the latter case, leaky windows can degrade the air you breathe inside your home.
During the spring, air from the outside can also trigger allergies, and unwanted pollution filled with harmful chemicals is almost certain to affect asthma sufferers.
Don’t take chances with your family’s respiratory health. It’s always best to retain control of the air that enters your living spaces, and new, properly sealed windows allow you to do this.
6. Outdated Window Frames
If you’ve had the same old windows on your home for more than 15 years, it’s time for an upgrade.
Outdated, poorly maintained windows will detract from your home’s appearance and impact its curb appeal. Not only will this drive potential buyers away, but a recent study shows that curb appeal can impact your home’s value by as much as 7% when you decide to sell it.
Most modern windows are made with durable, weather-resistant materials that will ensure your home stays secure and weatherproof for many years to come. So, while the cost of new windows might seem daunting at first, you’ll save money on repairs and maintenance throughout their lifespan.
7. Increasing Energy Bills
Your windows can have a major impact on your home’s energy efficiency. Well-sealed windows with energy-efficient glass or double-glazing will affect how hard your home’s heating and cooling systems must work, so they have a direct impact on your energy bills.
If you’ve tried all the available tips and tricks for keeping your energy bills low to no avail, your windows might be the culprit. Regardless of your efforts, poorly insulated windows will increase the amount of electricity you use to keep your home’s interiors comfortable.
New energy-efficient windows will pay for themselves soon enough thanks to increased energy savings, and the best-quality ones can last as long as 30 years.
Don’t Delay Window Replacement
If your windows are looking worse for wear, leaking, or difficult to open and close, you must replace them as soon as possible. Substandard windows can impact your family’s health and safety and will certainly affect your heating and cooling costs.
Are you unsure about where to start with window replacement? Hello Project helps homeowners find reputable, experienced contractors for a wide range of home maintenance and improvement tasks.
We thoroughly research and vet each contractor so you don’t have to. Our commitment to prompt, personalized customer service helps you connect with the best local professionals to help you preserve the value and comfort of your home at a price you can afford.
Get started with your window replacement project today and say goodbye to ugly drafty windows and hello to energy savings.
