Sometimes it’s easy to know when things in your home need an upgrade. If the refrigerator stops working, the tile in your bathroom is cracked, or the paint job in the living room looks faded, you know to add these items to your to-do list. Determining whether or not you need to consider replacement windows in your home can be a bit more complex.
Every 15 years or so, most homes tend to show signs of wear and tear on their glass. It’s around that time that homeowners should consider replacement windows. Here are several factors that will make it easy to determine if now is the right time for you.
Do they work properly?
The first step in determining if replacement windows are in order is to check to see if everything works properly. If they have locks, are you able to easily lock and unlock them? Are they easy to open and close, or do they stick? Can everyone in the family open them? When closed, are they closed tightly?
Not only are these important questions to ask for energy conservation, but also in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or hurricane. These questions could save lives. If locks aren’t working properly, it puts you and your family at a greater risk for break-ins and it is another safety concern.
Are they single pane glass?
Most older homes are equipped with single pane glass, and while they may not show much wear and tear, they are wasting energy and costing you money. The technology used now-a-days is dual pane glass. This is safer and more energy efficient. Dual pane glass can help to reduce noise and pollution in your home as well, and is a great investment for homes in densely populated areas.
Is your carpet or wallpaper starting to fade?
If you notice that areas of your home that get a lot of direct sunlight, especially your carpet, furniture, or wall paper, are starting to fade, it might be time to consider and upgrade. Old glass can allow too much ultraviolet light into your home, and ruin your belongings. The new, energy efficient options come with treatments to protect your belongings from the sun’s harmful rays.
Is there rotting or leaking?
If you notice the pane falling apart, rotting, or leaking air, it’s time to consider an upgrade. This is especially true if you live in a temperamental climate; cold weather outside should not equal cold weather in your home. If you’re in a damp or wet area, rot around your glass can be very common and needs to be quickly addressed to avoid more expensive and complex home repairs.
On top of the questions above, ask yourself if you like the way your home looks. Of all the upgrades and renovations you could do, installing replacement windows is actually one of the easiest, and it can dramatically change the aesthetic of your home. So whether you’re looking out of necessity, normal wear and tear, or beautification, it’s important to ask whether or not now is the right time to upgrade the glass in your home.