As a homeowner, do you know the indicators for when you should look into replacing the windows and doors in your home? Considering that replacing your windows is one of those home improvement projects that most homeowners will only be involved in once or twice in their lifetime, chances are you probably don’t have a ton of experience with inspecting your windows to assess their condition.

To help out with this process, we asked a few of our technicians to share some tips that will help you answer the question; when should you replace windows in your home?

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Replace Windows?

Here is what they shared:

When your windows are broken or damaged

The consensus was that this is the most obvious sign that you need to replace a window. Trying to repair cracked, broken, damaged or warped windows hardly ever works. The damage not only leaves your home susceptible to intruders, it reduces your home’s energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

When your windows are simply ugly and outdated

In some situations, your windows may still function well, but they look dingy and worn out. These worn down windows won’t accentuate the beauty of your home, they will take away from it! Your home should exude pride of ownership, and at times upgrading your windows and doors is the best way to do this and increase your property’s curb appeal.

When your energy bills spike

When your windows and doors are functional, they should be able to prevent the outside weather conditions from disrupting the interior environment of your home. However, if your windows are not functioning optimally, you will begin to feel drafts inside your home. Resultantly, you will be forced to increase your heating and cooling system usage more than you ought to. This, in turn, will increase your energy bills. So, when you notice that your energy bills are higher than expected, your windows and doors may be to blame.

When your windows lack the latest energy saving features

Advancements in technology, have led to significantly more efficient windows. These windows will not only help you save money on your energy consumption, they will help you be more comfortable in your home, as you shouldn’t have any hot or cold spots in your home. Some of these features include Low-E glass and argon gas filled.

When you struggle to close or open your windows

Closing or opening your windows should be done effortlessly. If you have to struggle with your windows when operating them, there is an issue already. Over time, these stubborn windows will become increasingly difficult to operate, leaving them relatively useless.

When you can clearly hear outside noise

Your windows and doors should block most of the outside from entering your home, except when they are open of course. If your windows are closed and you can still hear everything going on outside of your home or business fairly clearly, you know your windows are no longer able to complete their task as expected.

There are many reasons for why you should be replacing your windows and our technicians have seen them all. From windows that are being held together by duct tape to ones that have warped so badly, that you could stick a pen through the gap between the frame and the wall. But, you don’t need to wait for your windows to get to this condition before you call in a professional. Follow the tips shared above when inspecting your windows, and you will be able to diagnose if your windows are ready to be replaced or if they still have some life left in them.