Windows play an important role in your home. Well-installed windows enhance the overall curb appeal of your home, allow enough natural light inside your house, boost your home’s energy efficiency, and enhance your security. That’s why it’s important to know when you need a window replacement for your home’s windows. Fortunately, there are signs that will tell you it’s time to replace your windows.
When you observe the following signs, call a Maryland window replacement contractor to install your new windows.
1. Old Windows With Wear and Tear
As windows near the end of their service life, they may develop window balance issues and start malfunctioning. This makes it hard for the windows to open, close, or remain open. Older windows may also have broken pulleys and loose fasteners that hinder smooth operation. With old windows, it is pointless and ineffective to replace some of the parts such as the balances, fasteners, or pulleys because they may still malfunction.
Most quality windows are designed to last for 15 to 20 years. As such, if your windows are more than two decades old and you start observing these signs of wear and tear, it’s a good sign that you should install new windows. In such a case, you should prioritize window replacement over window repair.
2. Your Energy Bills Are Over-The-Top During Summer and Winter
While it’s normal for your utility bills to increase in winter and summer, faulty windows will inflate the bills much higher. When you observe that you’re paying much more for your energy bills, it’s a sign that your windows have poor insulation. This happens when the air-tight seal between the window frames and the glass panes is damaged. As a result, you start experiencing consistent cold drafts inside your house, especially in winter. This causes your heating bills to sky-rocket because your furnace will have to produce more heat to keep your house warm.
In the summer, when you need air conditioning the most, the cool air from your air conditioner will escape through the leaks created by the broken sealants of the windows. This means that your HVAC system will use more energy to cool your home, and this will inflate your energy bills.
When you install new windows, you’ll prevent hot and cold air from leaking in and out of your home. As a result, your HVAC system will work more efficiently and lower your energy bills by a large margin. Besides having a window replacement, you can install sunscreens to your home’s windows and save approximately 25% of your energy bill.
3. Leaking Windows and Decaying Frames
Leaky windows call for a prompt window replacement. When you find that your windows are letting in water, you should call a Maryland window replacement company right away. Leaky windows need quick replacement because the leaks can get bigger with time. If the rainy season sets in before you replace your windows, the leaking water can damage the floors, walls, and adjacent furniture.
Even when the leaks are minimal, you should consider replacing the windows because they’ll attract mold that may spread to other parts of your home. Mold spots on the windows or the wall surface next to the windows are an eye-sore and may also trigger allergies in a child or a senior.
If you have wooden windows, decaying frames is a clear sign that it’s time for a window replacement. Wooden window frames are aesthetically pleasing but have a shorter service life, especially if they’re not well-maintained or professionally painted to reduce moisture damage. It’s not effective to repair decayed or decaying window frames because much damage has already happened.
It’s important to keep your windows in pristine condition. When your windows are functioning effectively, you’ll have lower energy bills, fresher air in your home, and enhanced security. When you observe the above-discussed signs, call a window company to schedule a window replacement.