Home improvements are costly and it is important to prioritize your projects and know when the timing is right for each one. How do you know if it is time for replacement windows in Portland, OR? Here are a few of the signs that this home improvement shouldn’t wait:
Outside Noise
Your windows can help protect your home against noise pollution. If you live on a busy street or near an airport, the amount of sound getting into your home will have a significant impact on the peace and tranquility of the place. Is there too much outside noise getting into your home? Then it might be time for replacement windows.
Air Drafts
Do you feel a significant temperature fluctuation when you enter a certain area of your home? The drafts are likely from a leaky window. If air can flow through the gaps around your windows it will impact comfort and drive up the heating and cooling costs of your home.
Water Leaks
Moisture leaks are another common problem for older windows. Unfortunately, moisture damage can be expensive and dangerous. This problem usually starts out small and might only be noticed because of some discoloration or peeling paint. But if the leak is left for too long it can lead to warped and sagging drywall, ruined floors, mold growth, or damage to the supporting structures of the home.
Condensation
Condensation on the exterior or interior surfaces of the glass is not uncommon. It often stems from humidity and an extreme temperature differential. That is why windows fog in the kitchen, bathrooms, or utility rooms of the home. This type of condensation will dissipate on its own. But condensation trapped between two panes of glass is when you need to worry. This means the seals on your glazing are damaged. The inert gas leaks out and normal air takes its place. This will dramatically reduce the efficiency of the windows, and the only repair is with replacement windows.
Weather Damage
Extreme weather impacts your windows. Freezing temperatures will make window materials brittle, and open gaps around the frame as water repeatedly thaws and freezes. Extreme heat can soften window materials causing them to warp or fall out of the square. If your windows have endured harsh weather conditions, they might need to be replaced sooner than you think.
Cracked Windowpanes
Cracked glass should be fairly obvious. And most homeowners understand that leaving the broken glass for too long can leave their windows weakened and prone. This is an instance where replacement windows are needed right away.
Difficult Operation
Windows should open and close smoothly with very little effort. If you have to muscle your windows open, or they are sealed shut then that is not good. More than just an inconvenience, sticky windows are also a safety hazard and should be addressed immediately.
High Utility Bills
Have you noticed your utility bills creeping up from year to year? This is because as windows age they tend to lose their efficiency. Seals wear out and break down. Inert gas fills slowly leak from between the panes. Use and exposure ruin weather-stripping and damages the caulking. All of this reduces the efficiency of your windows.
If you have noticed several of these problems starting to surface, then it is time for replacement windows in Portland, OR. The experts at EnergyGuard Windows & Doors can help you find new products that will suit your needs and your budget.