It is difficult to imagine living in a home without windows to let air and sunshine in. There is no question that they greatly enhance your enjoyment of your home, but old windows also can have structural issues that create leaks for your home to lose energy.
If you have old windows, here are some things you may not know about them and how they are affecting your house.
Know The Lifespan Of Your Windows
Most windows have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. If your home is older, there is a good chance your old windows have already outlived this time frame. While it might not be visually obvious that your windows are past their expiration date, there is a good chance this is evident in your energy bills and comfort level.
Old Windows Can Be Responsible for Significant Heat Loss
Old single-pane windows can account for a significant amount of the heat that is lost in a home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the heat that is gained and lost through windows accounts for as much as 30% of residential cooling and heating energy use.
This means that replacing old windows with newer and more energy-efficient models can result in significant energy savings on your bills over time, allowing the investment to pay for itself in many cases.
Old Windows Are Often a Source of Drafts
Cold and drafty homes can be very uncomfortable, particularly in the winter months. Old windows are one of the first spots in a home where gaps will begin forming. Glass warps over time, and as the rubber gaskets and adhesives in an old window may start to break down, the outside air will find its way into the home.
If you notice a cold draft in the winter or find insects crawling into the home through a crack in your window frame in summer, your old window needs to be replaced.
Old Windows Can Cause Your HVAC System to Work Overtime
Not only can drafts make a room uncomfortable, but they can also bring down the overall temperature in the room. This can cause your HVAC system to run more often, which can raise your energy bills and cause the type of wear on the system that can reduce its lifespan.
Old Windows Can Compromise Your Home’s Security
Older wooden-framed windows with traditional glass panes can be surprisingly easy for burglars to breach. It is not very difficult for a would-be intruder to break right through a single pane of glass in an old window.
Newer windows, in contrast, are much stronger and more secure, often featuring very robust latches and locks. Upgrading to newer windows can enhance your home’s security dramatically.
Old Windows Pose a Safety Risk
The ease with which old single-pane glass windows can be broken also makes them a danger to your home’s inhabitants. They are not difficult to accidentally break, whether you hit one the wrong way while moving furniture or your children accidentally break one playing sports.
A broken single-pane window is a major safety risk, with the sharp shards of glass having the potential to cause deep cuts and lacerations. Double-pane and triple-pane windows, in contrast, can stand strong against the rigors of daily living.
Old Windows Could Contain Toxins Such as Lead or Asbestos
Many people make a great effort to ensure their home is as safe as possible, but sometimes the biggest dangers are the ones that cannot be seen. If you have old windows in your home, they could contain toxic materials such as asbestos or lead paint, both of which were commonly used in construction materials in the past before their health dangers were more widely understood.
Therefore, it is important to have your home tested for these toxins if you have older windows and replace them with newer and safer varieties as soon as possible.
Old Windows Are Affecting Your Home’s Value
Your old windows might still look like they are in relatively decent shape, but if you go to sell your home, you may find that its value is lower than you expect due to outdated windows. Many real estate agents report that switching old single-pane windows for newer double-pane windows can increase a home’s value and selling price.
Condensation on Your Windows Is Not Normal
You may have become accustomed to seeing condensation on the inside of your windows, but that does not mean this is normal. Regardless of the weather outdoors, you should not be finding any condensation on your windows.
Its presence is an indication that a window seal could be broken. Replacing seals is a major job that requires removing the entire window frame, which presents a good opportunity to replace the entire window with a more modern variety that is not vulnerable to condensation.
Contact the Northern Virginia Window Replacement Professionals
To learn more about how high-quality, efficient windows can improve your home’s comfort and reduce energy bills or to schedule a free window replacement estimate, reach out to the experienced window replacement team at Adelphia Exteriors.