6 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Windows

Replacing your windows at the right time can dramatically improve your home’s comfort, lower energy bills, and increase its value. But how do you know when it’s time? Should you act now or wait a few more years? Is it better to replace them before selling, or let the buyer handle it? And what about waiting for warmer weather?

In this guide, we’ll help you spot these top six signs that it’s time for new windows.

1. Drafts or Air Leaks: If you feel cold air coming through even when your windows are closed, they may no longer be sealing properly, leading to higher energy bills. Sometimes the issue can be fixed with a new piece of weather stripping, or it could mean the window is faulty, it wasn’t properly installed, or other things that would require a full replacement. Letting insulation problems linger can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars a year on energy costs.
2. Difficulty Opening or Closing: The mechanical parts of your windows will wear out over time, and initial quality usually determines longevity. Even the best windows will eventually start to stick, will become hard to open, or won’t close properly due to warping or other structural issues that occur over time. Nothing lasts forever, but initial quality will give you a longer-lasting and easier-t0-operate window.
3. Condensation Between Glass Panes: Fog or condensation trapped between the glass panes suggests the window’s seal is broken, reducing energy efficiency. Modern insulated windows, such as double-pane and triple-pane, feature two or more layers of glass with air or gas-filled spaces between them to improve energy efficiency and reduce heat transfer. Options like gas fills (argon or krypton) and Low-E coatings further enhance insulation, lowering energy bills, reducing outside noise, and preventing condensation.
4. Ugly House Syndrome: This one is more a matter of personal preference, but if you hate the way your windows look then changing them can really improve your home’s curb appeal. Both frames and glass quality have come a long way in recent years, and we welcome you to come see the new models in our Showroom.
5. Visible Damage or Decay: Cracked, warped, or rotting window frames not only look bad but also compromise the window’s functionality and efficiency. Moisture is one of the biggest home-wreckers that can damage your walls, floors and ceilings, which is an absolute no-no.
6. Outside Noise: If you notice more outside noise than usual, or are ready for an upgrade in sound insulation, new window models are much more effective at blocking outside noise from entering your home, creating a peaceful and restful space.

The National Association of Realtors calculated a Joy Score for each project based on homeowner satisfaction with their renovations. Exterior projects, such as painting exterior siding, installing new vinyl or wood windows, and replacing doors with steel or fiberglass, ranked highest in Joy Scores. In comparison to interior projects, no exterior renovation received a perfect Joy Score of 10.

Here are some tips depending on your personal situation to help guide your decision:

If you’re selling your home: If your windows are noticeably bad and affecting your home’s value, it’s worth replacing them. If they have only minor issues, you might not need to. Typically, you’ll recoup an average of 73% of the window replacement cost when selling, but this depends on the extent of improvement.

If you’re staying in your home: If you’re planning to stay and your windows have issues like drafts or leaks, while it’s important to ensure your finances are in order, replacing faulty windows will provide immediate energy savings and protect against water damage and rising costs over time.