How Often Do You Need to Replace Your Home’s Windows?

When thinking about replacement windows in San Jose, CA, you may be wondering how often you actually need to replace the windows in your home. There are many things that can affect the performance of your home’s windows, and most of them occur with time and use.

Quality windows generally last between 15 and 20 years, so if your home is older than 20 years old, then it’s definitely time to think about replacement windows. As windows age, they can develop problems that lead to less energy efficiency in your home and your power bills likely have slowly, but steadily increased – beyond the power company’s increases – over time, because of the energy loss through your windows.

Up to 40% of a home’s energy loss can be attributed to windows, so that’s a significant factor in determining how often replacement windows should be installed in your home.

So how do you determine how often your windows should be replaced? There are many signs of aging windows that are visible and these are good indications that you should have replacement windows installed in your home.

One sign that indicates your windows should be replaced is cracked window panes or cracked window frames. Once window panes or window frames get cracked, they immediately drop the energy efficiency of your home. This kind of damage to your windows cannot be repaired. Instead your windows need to be replaced.

Another sign that you need to have replacement windows installed is when you start seeing the glass on your windows get foggy. This is typically a problem with aging double pane or triple pane windows. Some part of the window gets compromised (it may not even be visible to the naked eye) and either condensation forms from the outside air or gas is leaking from the layer(s) between the window panes.

Wooden windows are beautiful, but they tend to age the fastest among the different types of materials that windows are made of because wood is living and it absorbs moisture, which can rot or warp over time, are which can allow the growth of mold and mildew.

Rotting and warping will mean that there are significant gaps, which will cause air leaks, and they also mean that that the windows themselves will not open and close easily.

Additionally, as moisture seeps into the frame of a wooden window, the frame softens and can no longer adequately support the weight of the window pane, making it very hazardous.

Sticking windows is another sign that the windows in your home need to be replaced. This is especially true with vertical windows, such as single or double hung windows, although it can happen with horizontally sliding windows as well.

When windows are opened and closed over time, tiny grooves are created in the window frames. While windows are meant to be opened and closed a lot, over time, these tiny grooves can compromise the structure of the frame and cause it to crack. Once the window frame is cracked, windows will stick more and more as they are opened and closed. When windows are sticking to the point that it is almost impossible to open or close them without a lot of force, then you should have replacement windows installed.

To learn more about replacement windows in San Jose, CA, you can speak with our knowledgeable staff at California Custom Creations. You can contact us at (408) 316-6293 to make an appointment for a free in-home consultation.