Do You Need New Windows?
May 26, 2016
With the arrival of spring, homeowners look forward to opening their windows and letting in fresh air. This is the perfect time to evaluate the quality and efficiency of your windows.
Scott Cline, owner of J&B Construction, has created an easy-to-follow, eight-point checklist to help homeowners determine if now is the time for new windows. “Sometimes a window can be repaired,” Scott said. “Sometimes a problem can be put off until a later time. But if you answer ‘yes’ to any of the items on this checklist, you probably need a new window system now.”
- Do any of the windows refuse to open, or open with difficulty? “The foundation may have shifted or the frame of the window may be deteriorating,” he said. “Now you’ve lost an emergency escape route and it’s likely that you’re losing a lot of energy through gaps.”
- Do any of the windows refuse to close all the way, or close with difficulty? This is the same situation as windows that won’t open. “If the frame doesn’t seal closed anymore, you need to replace your windows,” Scott said.
- Do any double-pane windows have fog on the inside and warped frames? Air and moisture enter between the double panes when the seal fails, causing a fog that can’t be cleaned off. “Sometimes, fixing the seal will solve the problem. If it doesn’t, the window frames themselves have warped and you’ll need new windows,” he said.
- Do any windows let in noticeable drafts? Single pane windows tend to waste money, especially if they’re older. “You can try to prevent drafts with weatherstripping, but it’s a temporary fix,” said Scott. “If the draft is bad enough that you can feel it, it’s time to buy more energy-efficient windows.”
- Are there water stains or damp, peeling paint on the interior or exterior of the window? New windows are needed when there are leaks causing water damage and deterioration. “If you have window condensation but no water damage, your windows are okay,” he said. “Condensation on the glass is a common sign of too much indoor humidity—not a sign of a window problem.”
- Is the wood around the windows soft, brittle, or crumbly? “Unprotected wood will rot when it’s exposed to water for too long,” Scott said. “After years of rain collecting on your window sill and wearing away the paint, you may have rotten wood and you’ll need new windows.”
- Did the glass crack for no obvious reason? “If the glass was broken by a baseball, you probably won’t need to replace the whole window system,” he said. “But if the glass cracked on its own, there’s a serious problem like structural movement or deterioration, and you need new windows.”
- Do the windows need replacement parts that are no longer available?
Other reasons for replacing windows include faded or unattractive frames that don’t suit the house, when current windows require too much cleaning and maintenance, to have better control of noise, to block out more heat or cold, or to stop the UV rays that fade carpets and furniture.
