Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?

Did you know that windows usually make up about 10 percent of your house, but are usually responsible for 40-50 percent of the heat lost or gained?  These numbers are important because they directly affect your wallet in two ways.  First, properly maintaining your existing windows or replacing old and damaged windows will save you money on energy cost.  Second, well maintained or brand new windows add value to your home, earning you thousands of dollars more when you decide to sell.  

Furthermore, most people don’t realize, but besides saving you money on energy costs, there are other ways that new windows can save you money.  Windows produced these days, for example, have two great advantages over windows that were made ten years ago.  Newer windows are proven to block harmful UV rays from the sun.  Left unchecked, UV rays, shinning through older, unprotected windows, can cause damage to your furniture and carpet.  Over time, these items must be replaced, and of course, this can be quite expensive.  Worse, however, is the fact that if you don’t realize that the problem started because of old windows, the UV rays will also damage your new furniture or carpet.  Also, an added bonus provided by newer windows is that they come equipped with better safety features.  The locks on these windows, as well as the glass of which they are made, are much stronger.  These windows help to protect your family and loved ones at all times.

Many home owners interested in home improvement know the benefits of window replacement, but they don’t know if their windows need to be replaced.  For this reason, they don’t want to begin window replacement projects, which can be quite costly, if their windows are working properly.  Here are a few ways to check if your windows are doing what they are supposed to.

Walk around your home and look at the areas around your windows.  Do you notice any paint that is peeling?  If so, look underneath the paint.  Do you see and damaged or warped wood?  If so, there is a good chance that these windows are letting out a lot of hot air in the winter and a lot of cold air in the summer.  Windows that fit this description should be changed.

There are several other simple tests that you can perform to see if your windows are functioning properly.  For example, inside your home, pass your hand around the frames of all your windows.  Do you feel any drafts?  If so, these problems must be dealt with.  Also when inside, notice if noise from outside is particularly loud.  This too is a sign that it may be time to replace your windows.  Lastly, one of the fastest and most efficient ways to find out if you need to change your windows is to speak with your neighbors and compare energy bills.  If your bills are consistently higher than theirs, now is probably a good time to change the windows.

Consider all of the benefits of window replacement and then put your windows to test.  You will probably find that now is the perfect time to make some much needed home repairs by changing your windows.