10 SIGNS IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS & DOORS

Your home’s windows play a big part in your home’s energy performance and

comfort levels year-round. If your windows & doors are damaged or just outdated,

there is a high chance that they won’t be able to function properly. And when that

happens, it is likely time for you to replace them or, at the very least, have them

checked out by a professional.

Your windows & doors don’t suddenly become less energy efficient, it happens

slowly over months or years. So how do you know when they’re not as energy efficient

and must be replaced?

We have ten things to look out for if you suspect your windows are past their prime.

If one or more of these sound familiar, it’s probably time to look into them.

How Long Do Windows & Doors Last?

When to Replace Your Windows & Doors

Home windows & doors have a lifespan of 15-20 years. Once they reach this age, the

seals start to weaken or fail, which leaves you open to drafts and water seepage.

In addition, single-pane windows & doors were the standard 15+ years ago. These

windows lack insulation and are not as energy efficient as modern double-pane

windows & doors.

1. Your Windows & Doors Are Visibly Damaged

Visibly damaged windows & doors are probably the most obvious sign you need to

replace your windows & doors since cracks are never a good sign when it comes to

homes. When a window or door is damaged or cracked, it’s more likely to break

completely, which leaves your home open to more serious damage like water

infiltration, mould and pests. It may also make your home easier for intruders to

break into if the damage is noticeably there. Getting a damaged window fixed as

soon as possible will keep your family safe and help you avoid more expensive

repairs in the future.

2. Your Windows & Doors Are Drafty

Drafts are a problem for a few reasons beyond a minor inconvenience. First, it

means that the air you’re paying to cool is seeping out and the hot, humid air outside

is making its way in. A room with drafty windows or doors will feel less comfortable

than the rest of your home, and may even feel more humid.

Second, because the outside air is coming in, your HVAC system has to work harder to

keep your home at the temperature you set.

To check for drafts, close your window or door, lock it and hold your hand at the

bottom, top or along the sides of your window sash or door where it meets the

frame. If you feel air coming in, you have a draft and should probably begin testing

other windows and doors in your home as well.

3. Condensation Forms On the Inside of Your Windows or Between the Door & Frame

Condensation on the inside of your window or door usually means your windows or

door are leaking air and/or your home is humid. Condensation on the outside of

your windows is not cause for concern. It just means it’s warmer and more

humid outside than inside.

If you notice condensation between the panes of your double or triple-pane window

or door it’s a sign that the airtight seal has failed and the insulating gas has escaped

from the thermal pane. Another reason for condensation is the absence of Argon gas

in between the panes of glass that create the thermal pane. It may have leaked out

due to a seal failure or the thermal pane was not equipped with it. The Argon gas

helps insulate the thermal pane so your heat stays in during the heating season and

the cool stays in during the summer moths when you have your AC running.

4. Carpet & Furniture Around Your Windows or Doors Are Faded

If the furniture, carpet, rugs or decor that is exposed to the sunlight coming through

your windows or doors has faded, your windows or doors probably don’t have the

UV protection offered by modern windows with low-emissivity (low-E) glass. Low-E

glass is treated with a microscopic film that keeps UV rays and solar heat from

passing through. This prevents your furniture, carpet and curtains from fading, and

helps to keep your home cooler.

5. Your Windows or Doors Don’t Dampen Sound

If you live near a busy intersection, venues, train tracks or just have neighbours that

like to get loud, you might think there’s nothing you can do about the noise. But

there is! Modern double or triple-pane windows provide noticeable sound

dampening sound thanks to the additional insulation.

6. Your Windows or Doors Have a Harder Time Opening and Closing

Every window or door can have difficulty opening and closing throughout its

lifespan. This could be from a poor installation from the beginning or poor

maintenance. However, if you have cleaned and attempted to fix this multiple times

throughout the years and the windows or doors only get worse, it may be time to

look for replacement windows.

7. When They’re Hard To Maintain

Windows and doors need to be cleaned/lubricated at least once a year. Older

windows and doors are a lot harder to clean than newer ones. This is usually

because they don’t lift out of their tracks easily or slide well in the case of a sliding

patio door. Newer windows and doors are specifically designed to clean more easily.

Newer window designs make it easier to clean windows on second stories. For example, double-hung windows allow the sash to tilt inward. This makes cleaning

them from the outside reasonably easy. This feature also increases the safety of your

window cleaning process. No more climbing tall ladders to get to those dirty second floor windows. Properly maintaining your windows will improve their appearance

and prolong their life.

8. You're Looking to Increase Your Home's Value

No matter how much you may love your home, you never know what the future

holds. Should you sell your home in the future, you’ll want to get the most value out

of your property. With replacement vinyl windows and doors installed, you can

add an additional $10,000-$15,000 on average to the value of your home, depending

on the number of windows and doors and style.

9. You Want to Up Your Home's Curb Appeal

Curb appeal can be an important part of a home for some. Whether you want to

spruce up your home to modernize the look or to flip your home, replacing your

windows and doors can help with potentially increasing your curb appeal. Windows

and doors are highly customizable, with plenty of options for colors, grill patterns

and door light designs to make your home unique!

10. When You’re Renovating

Replacing your windows and doors is not something you only do when they aren’t

working.

It’s common to replace your windows and doors to improve the look and feel of your

home. If you are renovating or remodelling, choosing new windows and doors can

transform the look of your home and help express your design goals.

Replacing all your windows and doors at once is ideal, even if you are not

renovating. Although only a few of your windows or doors may show issues, the

others may soon follow.

If your current windows and doors were all installed at the same time previously,

any windows or doors that aren’t showing signs will most likely soon be in the same

condition as the ones you are planning to replace.

Replacing your windows and doors allows you to customize their looks to the little

details. You’ll be able to choose their color, frame thickness, and decorative grills.

Windows and doors are essential when expressing your style because they are

visible inside and outside your home. Window and door replacement doesn’t have

to be an expense you dread. Getting new windows and doors can be an exciting

opportunity to improve the feel of your home.

Contact us today to discuss all your options. Whether you just want to replace a

drafty window or door with a direct replacement or go that extra mile and have the

exterior painted with one of our 38 standard colours or the ability to create any

custom colour with state of the art colour development system!