Do you need new windows?
Replacing your windows can bring you many benefits including a more modern exterior, better curb appeal, improved insulation, and savings on your energy bills.
So when is it time to replace them? Here are nine signs to look for. Whether you experience one or several, these indicators are tell-tale flags that there’s no time like the present for new replacement windows.
#1 – There is wear-and-tear on your window frames
Take a look at the corners and joints of window frames. Are they coming apart or rotting? Wood frames commonly have these problems.
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Because frames provide the window’s structural support, it is critical they are strong enough to hold the glass properly. Without solid frames, you may experience water damage and moisture, which left untreated could lead to mould and even create health problems for the occupants of your home.
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#2 – The hardware isn’t working
All the benefits that windows can offer (including energy efficiency, more comfortable temperatures, curb appeal, privacy and/or security) are impossible if you have broken cranks, handles, latches or locks. If your windows aren’t opening, closing or locking properly, it may be time to replace them.
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#3 – Your weather stripping is falling apart
Is your weather stripping getting so bad, you can see light between the window glass and the frame? Or is water leaking into your home? The goal of weatherstripping is to prevent rain and water from entering your home and to keep interior air inside. If it has become bent, flattened or cracked, it may be time to consider new windows.
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#4 – Your caulking isn’t doing its job
Window caulking is supposed to help defend your home from cold air. However, caulk can degrade over time, which opens up small cracks and gaps around your windows. (Drafty windows are obviously not ideal in any climate, especially during cold Ontario winters!)
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#5 – The glass is cracked or broken
Broken or cracked glass can distort your exterior view and negatively impact your home’s curb appeal, but it’s more than just an aesthetic issue. Safety also plays into the decision to replace a window, especially if you have small children or pets.
When you see a crack in your window, you may be able to take temporary safety measures to keep it from spreading. However, those fixes do not last forever. Eventually, all cracked or broken glass needs to be replaced.
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#6 – You feel a draft in your home
Conduct a draft test around your windows. Do you feel a breeze when you run your hands over any areas? Another way to test is to light a candle or matchstick. Slowly move the flame around the window frame and see if the flame bends or flickers at any point. If it does, your windows aren’t doing their job.
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#7 – Your energy bills are high
According to energy.gov, heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%-30% of residential heating and cooling energy use. Natural Resources Canada agrees, saying that windows, doors and skylights can be a significant source of energy loss in your home – up to 35%. Replacing your current windows with energy-efficient windows can make a significant difference in cost savings on your energy bills. In fact, replacing all of your windows with ENERGY STAR® certified models can save you an average of 8%!
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#8 – You want a quieter home
Can you clearly hear noise from outside, even when your windows are shut? If so, this is an indicator that your windows are probably quite old. Thanks to newer technology, replacing your windows can help muffle or dampen the noise of busy roads, planes overhead, loud neighbours, and barking dogs.
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#9 – Your windows are single-pane / single-glazed
Double-pane and triple-pane windows are the latest technology offering a wealth of benefits above and beyond what single-pane windows ever did. With double- and triple-glazed windows, you experience benefits including improved insulation and energy efficiency, a reduction in condensation, and less outside noise.
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Trust in the experts
Are you thinking of replacing your windows? Trust Weaver Exterior Remodeling.
We will help you get started by selecting the best windows for your home, needs and budget, and then install them perfectly. Plus, we offer a Lifetime Warranty on our windows that covers all of our window components including insulated glass, window frames and window sashes, hardware and even accidental glass breakage.
Why not get started now? Try our free interactive quote tool to get a free, no-obligation estimate.
Learn more about window replacement by checking out these useful articles:
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