New Windows: How to Determine If Your Home Needs

Windows bring a good deal of enjoyment to your home, but they can be one of the least energy efficient components as well. Just like everything else under your home's roof, windows age. Replacing your windows can give your home a whole new look. Using this guide can help you learn when to consider home replacement windows.
High heating and cooling bills
If your home is hard to heat and cool, you might be able to blame the windows. Glass has little insulation value. A single pane of glass has an R-value of .91, which means that it can resist temperature change for less than one hour. R-value stands for "resistance” and each number assigned is equivalent to one hour of protection. An R-value of .91 gives you 55 minutes of protection from outside temperatures.
Considering how extreme temperatures can be in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, old, single pane windows contribute a good deal to the heating and cooling load. The Department of Energy estimates that half the energy costs for our region are associated with conditioning homes. Replacing inefficient windows with Energy Star or thermal windows reduces your bills over the long term.
Condensation
If you have dual pane windows and you notice that water condenses between the panes when it’s cold outside, the seal between the panes has broken, losing the thermal protection that the dual or triple pane windows provide.
Poor seals
When the seal between the frame and the exterior degrades, you may need new windows if the gaps are significant. Those gaps can allow water inside your wall cavities, which promotes wood root and mold growth. Gaps also increase the rate of air infiltration, which makes your home harder to heat and cool.
Movement
If your windows become hard to open or close, you probably need home replacement windows. The jambs in wood windows can shrink over time or the home has settled, knocking the window out of square, interfering with the ability to open the window.
Inadequate light
A room that doesn’t have enough natural daylight but has enough wall space will be more appealing if you put in a larger window. Not only does it increase the light, it makes the room seem larger and improves ventilation on mild days.
Noise
Besides having poor thermal characteristics, glass does not block much sound. If a neighbor has an excessively noisy vehicle or family, home replacement windows can make your home more enjoyable. Windows have noise ratings expressed as their sound transmission class (STC). Choosing replacements that have a high STC rating will help make your home quieter. A single pane of glass has an STC rating from 26 to 28, while dual pane windows carry ratings from 26 to 33.
Aesthetics
Windows and doors are a major component of how your home looks from the street. Changing your windows may increase its curb appeal and overall happiness with your home. If you have plans to sell your home and the windows detract from its appearance, it may help you sell your home faster if you choose home replacement windows before listing it.
Thinking about home replacement windows? Call 1-844-ARNOLDS for your complimentary evaluation of the energy efficiency of your current windows.