A lot of people will avoid the cost of window replacement as much as possible, but you will hate the consequences of keeping your faulty units for too long. Although it takes a trained eye to diagnose window issues, you should know something’s wrong upon seeing these red flags:
Material Damage
Any seasoned window and door contractor, like Polk Contracting, will agree that material damage is both a structural and a cosmetic problem. Rotting sills, broken frames and cracked sashes are signs that your aging units are asking for retirement. They may not be beyond repair, but the cost of labor to fix your windows is greater than that of replacing them.
Interior Condensation
Double-pane windows generally contain an insulating gas between the two sheets of glass. Over time, though, the gas leaks over rule, leading to seal failure. When your units start to sweat inside, it means moisture is able to infiltrate the air space separating the panes. In turn, your windows are no longer as efficient a barrier against the heat and cold as before.
Extreme Draftiness
Experiencing unwanted drafts merit window and door replacement. Operating units allot a certain amount of air infiltration, but it shouldn’t be noticeable. If stopping the entry of drafts requires more than fresh weather stripping, getting new units is necessary.
Excessive Solar Heat Gain
Some windows are exposed to more daylight than others, but orientation to the sun shouldn’t be an excuse for inefficiency. If some parts of your home get hot more easily, your old windows could be to blame. They may have become inefficient due to gas fill leakage, or have never had a reflective glazing system to begin with. Either way, strongly consider upgrading to windows with better ratings.
As one of the region’s most experienced window and siding contractors, Polk Contracting can carry out your project while minimizing damage to your exterior cladding. If your siding is close to the end of its life span, we recommend replacing it along with your windows, to reduce your overall cost.
Call us at (410) 660-2922 to talk about your home improvement needs, and get a free estimate. We serve clients in Harford County and surrounding areas.
