Has your old home started to become less energy-efficient and cooler during the winter months? Do you notice that your home seems to heat up more than usual during the summer and that street noise has become more prominent? As one of the most important parts of your home’s building envelope system (the structural elements that keep the inside sheltered from the outside), your windows play a key role in keeping your house cozy, comfortable, and safe. If you’ve owned your home for quite some time and have yet to replace them, it might be time to consider making a change.
Below, we’ll discuss a few tell-tale signs that your current windows are in need of replacement. Read on to learn more!
Noise Pollution Has Increased
While it may be more obvious to spot failing windows when it comes to looking at the temperature and overall environment of your home (more on that below), one of the most telling signs that your panes are outdated is something you can experience with your ears. If the seal on your window has begun to go, or you have an older home with single-pane glass, you’ll eventually begin to notice that you’ll hear more and more outside sound leaking into your home. This can be particularly frustrating during construction season, or for those who find themselves in a neighbourhood that has undergone revitalization and now has more residents out and about. If your once tranquil abode reminds you a little too much of the goings-on outside, it might be time to look into double or triple-paned glass with an airtight seal to keep the noise on the outside where it belongs!
It’s Draft Season, All Year Round
If you’ve begun to notice that certain rooms in your home are persistently chilly and seem to have a draft all year round, even when the windows are closed and the blinds/curtains are drawn, it’s a sure sign that you need to take a closer look at things. Over time, your sealing can wear down, or perhaps wasn’t installed properly in the first place. This will eventually catch up to you and lead to a chilly problem that leaves your home colder than it should be, your furnace pumping overtime to try and keep the house comfortable, and ultimately, greatly increased energy bills.
Visible Wear and Tear on Frames
If the frames on your window have begun to soften and show visible signs of wear and tear, you need to consider getting them renovated as soon as possible. Softened frames are often an indicator that rot has set in, and at this point, the overall structure of the window frame is typically beyond repair.
Condensation Build up Between Layers
If you notice a persistent layer of frost building between your window panes, your seal has most likely been compromised, or the glass itself may have a crack. In either case, once the seal of your window has failed, the protective insulating gas that was trapped between panes to provide warmth is compromised and the overall effectiveness of your windows will have drastically decreased. Replacing with a better and newer window is the best option to solve the problems listed above.
Problems Opening/Closing Windows
Tired of struggling to open and close your windows day in or day out? If your windows or their frame have begun to rust or rot, you may find that they’re more stubborn to operate, as well as lock. This poses a significant safety risk to your home, and you should aim to address it sooner than later.
Exterior Renovations and More at Peak Improvements
Need some help bringing your home up to speed? Peak Improvements has you covered! As one of the Edmonton Capital Region’s top contracting teams, you can count on us to make your next home renovation project a breeze. With plenty of experience under our belt and a proven six-stage process that’s designed to eliminate confusion and prevent “surprise” price increases, Peak Improvements makes it easy to create the home you love. Contact us today to learn more!
