Signs To Look For When Deciding If It’s Time To Replace Your Windows.

By Guest Blogger: Kaitlin Krull

Kaitlin Krull is a professional home improvement writer and mom of two girls living the expat life. She enjoys writing for the window leads professionals at Modernize with the goal of providing expert knowledge on home renovation projects and connecting homeowners to qualified window contractors.

If you’re a homeowner, you know that a house is like a living thing: it needs regular care and attention to keep it at its very best. While this theory applies to just about every area of your home, we think that you should pay particular attention to your windows. Old, damaged, and drafty windows are problematic for homeowners because they will cost you money, decrease your home’s energy efficiency, and put your security at risk. If you’re unsure whether or not your windows need replacing, here are a few telltale signs.

Drafts

Drafts and poor insulation are one of the most common signs that it’s time to replace your windows. If you can feel the cold or wind coming in from your windows, or if your curtains and blinds move significantly and often, your windows are most likely drafty. Replacing drafty windows is particularly important in places like Vancouver, where the climate is variable and harsh winters mean that keeping your home well heated is essential for comfortable living.

Decay and wood rot

Period homes and fixer-uppers are more susceptible to decay and wood rot in window casings and frames, but this kind of problem can occur in just about any wooden framed window over time. If you notice the areas around your windows are beginning to rot and decay from condensation and rain, it’s best to replace them sooner rather than later in order to save yourself both time and money. Vinyl replacement windows are more easily maintained than their wooden counterparts—because they won’t decay like wood will—and they come in a variety of designs and styles to suit your personal needs and design style.

Significant Physical Damage

Wind and rain are common in the areas surrounding Vancouver, so any damage to your windows will be felt almost instantly when the weather takes a turn for the worse. This is a problem for multiple reasons. Windows with breakages and cracks are less safe than secure, undamaged windows. They’re also less energy efficient, and any issues left unattended will only get worse over time. Significant breakages and cracks usually mean that your windows need to be replaced.

Old Windows

If you live in a very old home that still has its original windows, or if the mechanisms in your windows aren’t working correctly anymore, you’re probably losing heat and wasting money by not replacing your old windows. Windows in many older homes consist of only single paned glass, which is neither energy efficient nor environmentally conscious (especially in areas where the climate is so variable). Replacement windows in this instance will save you money almost immediately by increasing insulation potential and restoring functionality to your windows, so the choice here is simple!

If you would like us to come out and provide an expert opinion on your windows let us know: Contact Us Form