YOUR WINDOWS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY

Do you find it difficult to open and close your windows? When closing does your window seem like it just does not close properly anymore? As windows age they lose some of the original functionality. They just don’t open and close like they did when they were first installed, and windows should require minimal effort to open or close. Many times, windows also become difficult to latch shut. Mother Nature is brutal with extreme Mid-South summers and winter months. Over time, older wooden and aluminum windows see reductions in functionality. It’s likely it may be time to replace your older windows especially if they were properly installed. 

YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE ISSUES WITH YOUR OLDER WINDOWS

You may have noticed your windows just don’t seem to fit properly anymore, or you may see wear and tear on them as well. Chips in the wood or frames can become visible on more than just a few of your windows and can cause the front and outside the window frames to look less than desirable. It is also possible that you have noticed moisture gathering around the windows themselves, this could indicate wood rot which absolutely will need remediation and replacement.

YOUR HEATING AND COOLING BILLS SEEM TO BE INCREASING

Age alone can be a factor on how energy efficient your windows are. Windows that are more than 20 years old or inexpensive builder-grade windows are the most common causes of having your heating and cooling “flying out the window”. Windows that are manufactured today meet Energy Star Ratings and are produced to be much more energy efficient than windows from two decades ago. It is also possible that not only are your windows failing. The installation may have been less than perfect as well.  

YOUR WINDOWS ARE LOSING THEIR ORIGINAL SHAPE

Are your windows warping? The type of material used on windows varies greatly. The most common type of windows is vinyl (either PVC or mPVC). Wooden windows are more common in higher-end homes especially in custom builds.  Midtown Memphis and East Memphis also contain a large percentage of wooden windows because of the era when they were built. Aluminum materials were also common at one time. Aluminum windows which can suffer from condensation and corrosion. Traditional PVC windows were fabricated as a series of thin-walled hollow chambers. Older vinyl construction windows are less tolerable in extreme weather, and can become brittle in extreme cold and more pliable in extreme heat, losing some of the original shape.

EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE OR SOUNDS FROM OUTSIDE

Good quality, properly installed windows and doors are designed to minimize noise from the outdoors. As population increases in your city, new neighborhoods appear and roads become more congested with traffic. If you’re noticing a lot of road noise, it’s possible the seals in your windows are failing or the installation process is nearly the end of its useful life. 

YOU CAN FEEL OUTDOOR AIR AROUND THE WINDOWS

When older windows fail, you sometimes can feel a draft coming in from the sides, top, or bottom. One of the other signs is if you can see sections of your window that do not properly fit, and you can feel more cold or hot air coming in.Windows, when shut properly, should not allow for any air to seep through, let alone a draft.

YOU CAN SEE FOG INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS

If your windows become foggy, this indicates that your thermoseal is failing or is broken. If your home has only a few windows that you see “fog” in, it’s likely they were all installed at the same time and need replacing.

CONDENSATION IS BUILDING BETWEEN THE PANES

When you have condensation on your windows, your view is likely obscured. Condensation is caused by moist air condensing on a cold surface. If you notice that there is more condensation on your windows than normal, then this might be because something in your window has failed, such as the caulking or seal. 

YOUR FABRICS SEEM FADED NEAR THE WINDOWS

It’s common to see “sun fade” on fabrics and furniture when your home has older windows. Older windows were not built with UV protection. Replacement windows offer Low E glass that helps filter out UVB light and adds energy efficiency at the same time to minimize heating and cooling costs.

YOU NOTICE VISIBLE CHIPS AND CRACKS

If your home is more than 10 years of age you may start seeing the wear and tear of normal family living. Has a baseball gone through a window? Rock chips are also common from mowing and edging. Windows may also get to a point where they seem hard to clean and you just can’t see as clearly through them anymore. When home restoration becomes a priority don’t forget to replace your windows! Beautiful new windows help pay you back with lower utility costs and help to make your home more energy efficient. Window replacement also adds curb appeal to your home and should be considered during your next home makeover.