When is it Time to Replace Windows?
October is the perfect month to start thinking about the harsh winter ahead. Taking proper care of your home isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s staying in a consistent mindset where you are constantly thinking two or three months out to properly equip your home for the freezing cold.
Preparing your windows and doors for inclement conditions is vital for maintaining an excellent climate in your home. Tri County Windows and Siding has proudly served northern Virginia for over 20 years of affordable, quality service.
Many people think installing a window in the wintertime can be a bad idea. But that line of thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. Replacing your windows is a great way to renovate your house, and by completing an install in October or November you will begin feel the long-term benefits of saving money in your wallet starting this winter.
Here are a few signs it might be time to make a change:
Wood Rot
It’s important to inspect your windows for rot and decay. If the wood around your windows has been compromised, it starts to rot as the wood has been exposed to water for far too long. Wood rot gradually gets worse over time, and the quicker your fix your problem the better. The longer wood goes untreated, the larger the problem. You can detect wood rot when you see a discoloration, notice cracks in paint or sealants, or feel softened wood in your house.
Air Drafts
Another troublesome issue with windows can be an unwanted flow of air entering your home. If this is happening to you, fixing the problem is essential to staying warm and saving money in the cold months. Air flowing into your home can happen for many reasons, but the important thing is to get it fixed.
Energy Efficiency Upgrade
If you’ve noticed an uptick in high heating costs the past couple winters, the time is now to replace your windows entirely. Take a look at your bills from years past and see if they’ve gone up. Assuming you haven’t made drastic changes to your home, your heating bills should actually be dropping. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Americans consumed less natural gas in 2015 than in years past while the price of oil decreased significantly. Translation: if your heating bills have increased, you need to start thinking about making your home more energy efficient. Updating your windows is the perfect place to start.