Your windows are a crucial part of your home’s year-round ecosystem. They maintain desired temperature and humidity levels, as well as modulate the amount of light and sound that enter your home. They help to reduce the quantity of indoor dust and allergens, and they can even reduce your energy bills.
If your windows aren’t succeeding at these missions, there’s a good chance they are outdated and in need of repair or replacement. Window glass, seals, and frames can degrade over time – becoming damaged and inefficient. Because the process happens slowly, it’s important to know the signs that your windows are nearing the end of their lifespan.
When Should I Get My Windows Replaced?
The general rule is that windows should be replaced every 15-20 years. Windows this age and older often have compromised seals, and their glass may have become brittle and breakage prone.
If you’re planning to sell your home in the near-term, you may also wish to consider replacing those 20-year-old windows. New windows can improve your home’s curb appeal or boost its assessed value when you put it on the market.
How Do You Tell If Your Windows Need Replacing?
Apart from obvious damage to the glass or frames, there are seven more subtle signs that your windows may be due for replacement.
- When your windows are cracked. Cracks may not seem like an urgent issue, but they make your windows more likely to break. This can lead to water intrusion, mold, and pest incursion. It can even cause safety issues from broken or falling glass. Sometimes, simply replacing a cracked pane may prevent further problems, but if your windows are old then it only postpones the inevitable need for full window replacement.
- When your windows leak. Water should never permeate any part of a closed window. Even if no visible moisture is leaking into your home, leaky windows allow humidity to seep into your home.
- When your windows are drafty. Poorly sealed or improperly installed windows leak cool air in summer and warm air in winter, can force your HVAC system to work harder, and increase your energy bills. Another side effect of drafty windows is that they allow dust and allergens to enter your home, exacerbating health issues.
- When you see condensation. If there is visible condensation inside your windows or between double or triple paned windows, this means that the seals are failing or have already failed completely. While it may be possible to repair windows with failed seals, it is merely a temporary fix with no promise of long-term success.
- When your windows are hard to open. Windows should open, stay open, close, and lock easily. If your windows fail at any of these tasks, it may be time to consider replacement.
- When your windows let in excessive outside noise. If too much outside noise is penetrating through your windows, it may be time to replace those old single pane windows with double or triple paned versions. These can reduce sound bleed by 30-50 percent.
- When drapes, furniture, rugs, or carpets are visibly fading. A sure sign of older windows is that they have no UV protection. Most modern window glass offers low-emissivity (Low-E), which decreases the penetration of heat and UV rays.
Providing Quality Service for More Than a Century
Simpson Roofing Company can assess your home and advise you on whether or not it’s time for window replacement. We are a family-owned company, committed to providing exceptional roofing and contracting services in the tri-state area for more than a century. We offer residential roofing, commercial roofing, specialty & custom roofing, and property maintenance. Call (973) 794-3500 or contact us online for additional information or to request a free estimate.
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