Top Ten Signs It Is Time To Replace Your Windows
Buying replacement windows is not an everyday occurrence for most people. In many cases, until something goes wrong, you may not have given much thought to your windows. Many homeowners don’t fully realize what new windows can do to help make a home feel brighter, cleaner and even more beautifully designed.
Time for a Change?
Everyone’s home is obviously different and there are many reasons to decide that it is time for replacement windows. Perhaps you just bought your home and it has the perfect floor plan and square footage, but the windows are not what you like. Maybe you have been living in your home for so long that you never really gave much thought to your windows, but now you are experiencing some of the points we are about to mention below. Either way, if you’re considering new windows, don’t get started until you read these top 10 signs from American Made Windows.
1. You Feel A Draft
On average, 10 to 25 percent of a home’s heat escapes through its windows. If you feel the cold outside when you touch your windows or is there a draft when you stand nearby, compared to the rest of the house, it’s time to consider replacing your windows. High-quality windows and patio doors are designed for energy efficiency in your local climate to keep the weather outside where it belongs.
2. Age Matters
If the windows in your home are over 20 years old, they may be original to the house and could have been manufactured with single pane glass. Even if they are dual pane they may not be as energy efficient as they could be. The ENERGY STAR® labeling program did not begin until 1992 so any windows made before that would not necessarily be very efficient. Older windows without proper glazing or made without Low E glass may also not be keeping the UV rays out of your home, which can cause fading on carpets, draperies and furniture.
3. Will Not Open Or Close
There are many reasons a window may not open. Older aluminum windows can oxidize of time and stick. With older wooden windows, years of painted frames can result in a window that will not open. If your windows stick or seem nailed shut and won’t open at all, it’s time to consider replacing them.
4. Too Hot Or Cold In The House
When your windows are closed in the summer months, do you notice that your home seems like an oven? Are you still chilly in the cooler months? Older windows lack the proper insulation or ENERGY STAR® ratings that help keep heat and cold out. Energystar.gov states that ENERGY STAR certified windows can reduce energy bills by an average of 12%, nationwide. Who wouldn’t want to save 12% on their utility bills?
In addition to the energy efficiency new windows offer, you may want to increase the airflow in your home by replacing a picture window with a window style that opens. Casement, awning, horizontal sliders, and single or double hung windows all offer different degrees of ventilation.
5. Outside Noise Pollution
If you hear outside noise inside your home with your windows shut, then they aren’t providing enough acoustic insulation. Sound Transmission Class, often referred to as STC, is used as a measure of a window’s ability to reduce sound. Generally, the higher the STC rating, the better sound control you can expect from a window and presumably the quieter the home. The typical STC rating of a single pane window is between 18-20. By comparison, a typical double glazed window has an STC rating between 28-32.
If you live near an airport, train track or busy highway, American Made Windows offers windows that can achieve an exceptional STC rating for maximum sound control.
6. Obvious Damage
Probably the easiest way to determine that you need new windows are telltale age or other damage related signs. These signs can include chipping or deterioration of the frame or glass; visible water stains on or around the window; a frame that is warped or broken; and even broken glass. Depending on the severity, window damage may not be something you can live with for very long because it can not only affect the comfort of your home from a heating or cooling perspective, but the very value of your home in general..
7. Aesthetics
Speaking of home value, your home should be a reflection of your personal style both inside and out and let’s face it, windows are one of the most prominent features of a home. Choosing your own replacement windows provides the opportunity to create exactly the look you want, making sure that your home is appealing to others as well.
8. How They Operate
Have you ever wished your window view was not broken by a line down the middle where it opens, or, do you have a picture window that does not open? If you are considering upgrading, you might also wish to change the way your windows function. Let in more light, enhance your view or encourage a cross breeze from one room to another. There are many possibilities when you think about what replacement windows can do to improve your comfort.
9. Hard to Clean
Cleaning windows may not be high on your list of things to do, but, it should be done at least once a year. Older windows may be difficult to clean if they do not easily lift out of the tracks. Newer replacement windows are much easier to maintain as they are designed to be removed more easily. For second floor rooms, consider a double-hung operating style where the sash can actually tilt inward making exterior cleaning a breeze.
10. Return On Investment
Every year, Remodeling Magazine conducts an annual survey of cost versus value on home improvements. The latest study reported again, that replacement windows in upscale homes have a 93% return on investment. That’s great news if you think you may sell your home in the next 5 years. Buyers are attracted to the increased curb appeal that new windows can bring and they may even notice the comfort benefits of reduced noise and temperature regulation as they walk through your home to decide if it’s fit.
When considering these top ten clues that it may be time for replacement windows, remember that no matter what type of windows you need, American Made Windows has a solution that fits your budget. We pride ourselves on providing jobs right here in America and supplying an American-Made product to you. To find out more about our products, or to schedule a window inspection and estimate, contact us at 228-818-6136, or you can leave a message on our contact page. We provide window products and service for homeowners in the entire Gulf Coast region.