Replacement Windows: When Will They Need Replacing? How Is It Done?

Monday, 18 March 2019

The average homeowner in the United Kingdom spends nearly 11 per cent of their monthly income on repairs and maintenance. Ignoring the maintenance needs your home has will result in serious repair issues developing. Your main goal as a homeowner is to stay one step ahead of repairs.

For most homeowners, finding a way to make their residence more energy efficient is one of their main concerns. The windows your home has played a very large role in how efficient it is. Over time, your windows will start to show signs of wear and should be replaced.

Getting replacement windows installed correctly will require some professional help. Attempting to handle this complex process alone is a recipe for disaster. Allowing professionals to install replacement windows will help to ensure this process is done the right way.

Read below to find out more about the signs you will notice when your windows need to be replaced and how the replacement process will unfold.

Signs You Need Replacement Windows

Catching home repair issues will require you to do routine inspections. During these inspections, you will need to look at nearly every part of your residence.

As you perform these inspections, looking at the condition of your windows is a must. When inspecting the windows, you need to keep an eye peeled for the problems mentioned below.

The Window Is Warped or Broken

When performing an inspection of your home windows, be sure to look for things like warping or broken components. In some cases, the damage to a window is repairable. For instance, if the window’s weather-stripping or hardware is worn, you can replace these components.

However, if your window cannot be opened or has an extreme draft issue, getting them replaced is a must. Allowing these problems to persist will only make matters worse in the long run. Consulting with a window professional will help you get a second opinion on whether or not to replace this part of your home.

Your Energy Bill Is Growing

Saving money is one of the main goals most homeowners have. Keeping a close eye on your monthly energy bill can alert you to problems with your windows.

If your energy bill is increasing with each passing month, it could be caused by old and worn out windows. While new windows will be expensive, they can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Not only will old windows lead to higher energy bills, but they can also put a lot of undue stress on your HVAC unit. Instead of having to deal with the damage this consistent overworking can cause, you need to replace your old windows immediately. Seeking out window models with a higher U-value, saving energy will be easy.

Issues With Water Damage

One of the most harmful elements a home can be exposed to is water. A window is designed to keep water out of the inside of a home. However, as windows begin to age, water damage can become a real issue.

Windows that are being damaged by water will have discolouration around their trim. If you start to notice this discolouration, you need to act quickly.

The longer you wait to get this problem fixed, the higher the risk will become of structural damage occurring. If water is allowed to get behind the window, it will generally lead to wood rot and other structural issues.

How Does the Window Installation Process Work?

Once you have verified that your home needs new windows, seeking out some professional should be your main goal. Removing and installing windows can be extremely complex, which is why you will need to avoid doing this work on your own. Read below to find out more about how this installation process works.

Getting Measurements is the First Step

Most homeowners fail to realize just how many different windows are on the market. The only way to ensure the right windows get selected is by taking measurements.

The first thing a professional will do is measure your window jamb to ensure they get the right windows purchased. Measuring the width and height of the window that is already in place will give a professional all of the information they need to make this important decision.

Homeowners who try to do this work on their own typically make mistakes, which is why professional assistance is a must.

Delicately Removing the Old Window

Trying to remove the old window in your home like a bull in a China shop will result in lots of damage. A professional installer will delicately remove the trim and window stops. Once they have removed these elements, they will focus on removing any pulleys or sash weights that may be in place.

After these elements have been removed, a professional can take out the window. Once the window is out, professionals will clean and prepare the jamb for a new window.

Putting the New Window in Place

The last step in this process is getting the window in place. Often times, professionals will perform a rough install to ensure the window in question fits.

Once the right fit has been verified, professionals will begin to nail it in and caulk around it. In some instances, shims may have to be used to get a really tight fit. Generally, shims are used to fix small gaps that may exist once the new window has been put in place.

Finding the Right Professional Help

The key component of a successful home window replacement is finding the best professional help in your area. Ideally, you want to hire a company with a great deal of previous experience and a good track record.

Are you in need of high-quality replacement windows? If so, contact us now to find out how we can help.