New Windows for America | Replace Windows and Doors

Springtime has come around again and it’s time to start looking at exterior home repairs. Windows, doors, and siding can be expensive and time consuming replacements and knowing when they are necessary is crucial. Can it be put off for another year, or is it time to start looking at budgeting now. How to tell? To make that decision easier, here are 3 signs that it’s time to replace windows, doors, or siding.

Leaks. This is the most obvious sign that replacement is necessary. A gap between the doorway and frame that lets light in is also letting that expensively heated air out. As a house settles, frames shift and lose their original shape; warping the door or window as well. This causes leaks that may be fixed temporarily with foam sealers or stick on weather stripping, but in the long run, will require replacing the frame and window alike.
- How to tell: The easiest indicator is the feel of a draft. Moving a lit candle around the edge of the window or door and looking for abnormal flame motion will indicate air movement in and out of the casement. In the case of leaking siding, cold areas may form inside a room with an outside wall. These spots will occur close to the wall itself and might even be felt by hand.
Difficulty Operating. Another indication of warping frames can be detected when windows or doors are difficult to open or shut. When they were installed, they moved smoothly and without trouble. Expansion of the wood in the frames or the frames moving “out-of-square” will keep the window or door from sliding easily on its rails or hinges. This will eventually lead to more sticking and loss of function.
- How to tell: In sliding windows and doors, applying a small amount of lubricating jelly in the runner will help a window that is simply running paint-on-paint or is low on lubricating grease that was part of installation. Difficulty in movement after sliding open and shut around 10-20 times indicates a disfigured frame and replacement is necessary.
  In swinging windows and doors, friction areas in the frame will be visible where the frame is pinching. A small section that does not hinder opening or closing is ok, but indicative of future problems. Replacement is necessary when major effort is required to operate the window or door.
Aesthetics. In a house that has historic value, replacement may not be an option. In younger homes, however, perfectly usable, yet outdated, windows, doors, or siding may need to be updated to increase resale value or to coordinate with a new theme design. Another visual indicator might be chipped paint, cracked panes, or water stains. These are signs of neglect and disuse that make a negative statement about the homeowner.
- How to tell: Signs of neglect are often obvious, glaring, and can be detected on a daily basis. In the case of design or outdated style, a consultant may be required to make the final call.

It is important to keep windows, doors, and siding updated and in good condition for many reasons. Leaks cost money, framing disfigurement causes frustration, and poor maintenance announces neglect; all problems that no homeowner wants. Proper repair or replacement, however, will improve the home and life all around.