Understanding when to replace the windows of your home is not always the easiest thing to figure out. Homes that are more than a decade old probably still have the original windows in them. Taking steps to see if you need a replacement window in each room will allow you to figure out the best time to replace them. Proactively replacing windows can allow you to enjoy some benefits, such as better insulation of your home, noise reduction, as well as other factors.
The Current Windows You Have
To figure out if you need a replacement window or two, analyze the windows you currently have. The majority of older homes have windows that were built with single-pane glass. This is not an energy efficient option as they can allow for cold as well as hot air to get in the house quite easily. Using dual-pane glass helps reduce the risk of having a broken window and causing further damage to your home. Take a look at your windows and see if they are single-pane. If they are, chances are you could benefit from getting a replacement window set installed.
How About the Noise Level
Noise in your home is something that is often taken for granted. If you have a noisy house, you may just chalk it up to the idea that there is nothing you can do about it. Checking the noise level near your windows, though, will give you an idea as to whether or not a replacement window set could help minimize the noise. If you live near an airport or a busy road, chances are getting newer, better built windows could help reduce the noise level in your home. This is especially the case, as mentioned above, if you are currently living with single-pane windows.
Fading of Your Furniture
Another area to look at to see if you need new windows is to focus in on your furniture and your doors. As the sun enters your home, the ultraviolet rays of it can cause damage to your furniture, carpets, and other assets. This can cause fading of types of fabrics and wood. Getting a replacement window set is going to allow you to get windows that are able to block out the vast majority of the harmful rays of the sun. This is also good for your own health, keeping this sun from getting in and doing damage to your skin over elongated periods of time.
Do You Feel a Draft or See a Leak?
Analyzing your windows to see if you feel a draft when it is warm or cold is another way to see if you need a replacement window set. On a very cold night, you should sit next to your current window to see if you can feel any cold air coming in. If you do, chances are you need a replacement window. New double-pane windows can help minimize the amount of air that comes in. The same can be said for potential leaks that could come through when it rains. If drips of water are making it through the window and into your home, getting a replacement window set installed is definitely recommended.
There are steps you can take to determine if you need a replacement window set installed. Looking at everything from the current style of your windows, the noise level of your your home, and so on can help paint a picture of the state of your windows. Taking a proactive approach can help you replace them before it is too late.