Windows have come a long way from being just wall openings that let in light and air. Now they are one of your home’s most essential components, contributing greatly to its beauty, comfort, and energy efficiency. For this reason, you need to make sure they’re always in top form, and you can do this by inspecting your windows periodically for problem areas.
Overlooking window problems can compromise your home’s look and feel, so it’s an excellent idea to promptly invest in the necessary solutions. Take a closer look at five of the most common window problems, with tips on how you can get started on repairs.
#1. Faulty Windows
Windows should offer smooth operation, but frequent use, age, or weather exposure can severely affect their performance. You’ll know your windows are faulty if they:
- Keep sticking or jamming
- Won’t open or close
- Jerk open or slam shut without any apparent reason
- Won’t stay open
Windows you can’t close completely run the risk of air leakage or energy loss, leading to higher utility costs. They may also affect your home’s security. For a quick fix, you can adjust or replace existing hardware that may have worn down or developed rust. If you have hung windows, you can examine the window’s sash support system to confirm whether it still works fine. Operable windows that use levers or cranks may require a replacement of the window operator. You can also check the sashes for other signs of deterioration.
#2. Drafty Windows
You’ll want to keep your living spaces thermally comfortable all year round, minus the high energy costs. Achieving this goal, however, is made more difficult with drafty, old windows. They allow outdoor air inside your home, compromising its thermal stability. This puts an extra load on your HVAC system–making it work harder to maintain a consistent, pleasant indoor temperature in your rooms.
To deal with drafty windows, make sure to replace worn weather stripping to seal gaps and provide energy cost savings. Air leaks will need to be sealed, or you can consider professional window replacement to optimize your home’s energy efficiency.
#3. Security
Broken window locks and latches need to be dealt with quickly as they pose a safety and security problem. To head off potential threats from the outside, you should acquire new parts that should look and operate the same way as the previous ones to ensure a perfect fit.
#4. Broken or Foggy Glass
If you’ve noticed fog inside your windows, this can only mean the insulating gas between the panes has oxidized. This reduces your window’s energy performance, making it easy for heat and cold to transfer into your home through the glass. Broken window glass also leads to the same thing, aside from being a safety and security hazard.
You can visit your local glass or hardware store to repair the broken insulated seal and replace the broken glass altogether. This way, your windows can effectively block cold or heat transfer and keep energy trapped inside your home. By promptly addressing excess condensation due to broken seals and inadequate insulation, you can also prevent mold growth and window sill deterioration.
#5. Sash Deterioration
Corrosion along your windows’ frames and sashes can indicate wood rot or mold growth. With enough damage, this can break your windows’ seals, allowing for air infiltration or subsequently, energy loss. If your windows have sustained extensive damage due to extreme weather or age, investing in repairs just may not cut it anymore. You may want to start considering a better and more permanent solution to failing units–window replacement by a trusted home improvement contractor.
Why Invest in Window Replacement?
Window replacement offers a number of advantages, letting you enjoy a high return on investment. Window replacement gives you the perfect opportunity to spruce up your home. Newer, sturdier replacement units abound in today’s market; they’re available in a wide selection of styles, color combinations, grille patterns, and hardware. This allows for many design possibilities, even allowing you to maintain your home’s historic and architectural accuracy.
Window replacement also come with benefits that go beyond increased curb appeal. It can also help:
- Improve your home’s energy efficiency. Newer windows have sturdier framing material and tighter seals, preventing air infiltration and energy leakage. This maintains your home’s thermal comfort–keeping your rooms warm during winter and cooler in summer. Because it reduces the load on your heating and cooling systems, you can enjoy considerable energy savings.
Of course, this will depend on your choice of framing material and glass package. For instance, you can invest in composite windows with modified Low-E (low-emissivity). To ensure superior energy performance from your new windows, you should also make sure they are ENERGY STAR qualified.
- Lower maintenance requirements. Quality replacement windows come with advanced designs which increase sustainability, like tilt-in or removable sashes. These make cleaning and maintenance a breeze.
- Reduced noise transfer. Installing new windows with insulating glass can minimize outdoor noise, allowing for a quieter, more relaxing home.
Deal with window problems promptly before they negatively affect your home’s look and feel. If they are simply beyond repair, you can opt for window replacement. Just make sure to choose a reliable window company in your area for the job.
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Author Bio:
Alex Esler is Marketing Manager for Renewal by Andersen of Connecticut, a window replacement subsidiary of Andersen Corporation, a company that has continued to revolutionize the window and door business for more than 110 years. Always eager to help and known to maintain a positive outlook in life, Alex remains driven and inspired by her work and the causes she cares about.
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