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When it comes to keeping your windows in top working order, proper ongoing maintenance is one of the main keys to long window life for your New Jersey home. For the most part, as long as your windows are cleaned regularly and kept free of too much dirt and grime, they should continue to operate at their best for a good long while.
You will also want to regularly check the exterior of your windows for a good seal to the outside of your home. Be sure to remove and replace any sealant around the window frame that looks old and worn out or that has visible gaps between the window frame and your siding. Be careful here though, there are areas that are supposed to allow drainage and sealing those can do more harm than good. Trapping moisture around your window can cause mold and rot. When in doubt, call in a professional.
Eventually, like everything else, your windows will exceed their useful life. At some point, routine maintenance is not going to be enough to keep your windows as functional as they need to be. Just like a car, or other systems in your home, at some point, repair costs will exceed replacement costs. When you reach that point, you’re going to be left wondering whether your windows should be repaired, or if they need to be fully replaced. At Renewal by Andersen of Central New Jersey, we know that sometimes this can be a tough call to make, so in today’s post we’re going to talk about how to tell if your windows need some kind of professional help, and whether that help should be repairing or replacing.
Is Your Window Glass Broken?
The first order of business when deciding whether a window needs to be repaired or replaced is to take a look at it, and see what problems it has. One of the most obvious signs of a window that needs work is broken glass. If your window is single paned, broken glass can actually be an easy fix, however, single pane glass is not energy efficient so you may want to consider replacing your old, broken single-pane windows to save energy dollars over the long-term.
Do You Have Broken or ‘Foggy’ Insulated Glass?
A broken double paned, insulated glass (two panes of glass in each sash separated by an air spacer) window, however, is a whole other animal that should be handled by a professional and may call for replacement of the entire window. If you have insulated windows, you can also have an issue known as seal failure. Some older insulated glass didn’t use the advanced technology that’s available today (even some insulated glass made today doesn’t take advantage of current sealant systems) and the two panes of glass separate from the spacer, allowing outside air into the air space. When this happens, the windows appear to have a permanent “fog” between the panes of glass, which is unsightly, and, more importantly, ruins the energy-efficiency the insulated glass is designed to provide.
Does Your Window Glass Always Look Dirty?
While window glass is very durable, eventually the “smooth as glass” surface isn’t so smooth anymore. When this happens, be it from corrosive elements in rainwater, or abrasive materials being used to clean them, the glass just isn’t as clear anymore and appears to have a “haze” over it. While this doesn’t really affect the performance of the window, it’s not so nice to look at and can limit your views and the natural light your windows let into your home. This condition also doesn’t help the curb appeal of your home and may be cause for replacing the windows or window glass.
Is Your Window Leaking Air, or Worse, Water?
If your window is leaking, be it air or water that’s coming through, it’s going to cause discomfort and damage to your home. Air leaks let outside air into your home and create drafts that can make you uncomfortable and waste your energy dollars. Water leaks are even more dangerous and can cause big problems with mold, rot and insect damage to the window and the rest of the structural framing of your home.
Are Your Windows Difficult to Operate?
Another sign that you may need to think about repair or replacement is if your windows are becoming increasingly difficult to operate. Indicators of poor operation are if your windows won’t lock or stay locked, if you can’t keep them opened or closed, or if they are difficult to open or close. While they may be easy to write off as minor annoyances, these are signs that your windows aren’t functioning the way they should be, and should be attended to. These may be signs that your windows are failing and could indicate structural issues in your home as well
Finally, if your windows are difficult to maintain and require a seemingly endless cycle of maintenance like scraping, sanding, and painting, it’s time to take action.
Should You Replace or Repair?
Now, if you’ve read all the above and are now thinking that your windows need some work, it’s time to consider whether or not they need repair or replacement. Most handy homeowners can handle minor repairs like cleaning and recaulking, but for bigger problems, you likely will not be satisfied with an attempt at a repair job. Today’s modern, energy-efficient replacement windows are just far superior in energy efficiency, appearance and low maintenance, that it often makes sense to replace the entire window. A repaired original window will be no more energy efficient than it was when it was installed, and advancements in window technology have made replacements easier to operate as well as easier to clean. Even when you consider that it might be cheaper in the short term to repair a damaged window as opposed to replacing it, bear in mind that replacement windows will often pay for themselves in the long run, thanks to the increased energy efficiency that lowers your heating and cooling bills.
At the end of the day, the decision to repair or replace lies in the amount of work that needs to be done in order for the window to be as functional as it can be. Older windows with a lot of aesthetic and operational problems will, more often than not, benefit from a complete replacement.
Have any more questions about whether you should repair or replace the windows in your home? Renewal by Andersen of Central New Jersey is here to help. As a subsidiary of Andersen Windows, we have been providing people with beautiful, energy-efficient windows in all shapes and styles for generations. Our experienced design consultants will ensure that your replacement windows are the perfect fit for your life and style. Call us today at (866) 609-5033 for a free design consultation.
Check out this post for more information on what to do if your windows are leaking.