As temperatures start to drop in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, homeowners often begin noticing things they didn’t pay much attention to during summer.
Maybe one room feels a little draftier. There’s condensation on a window in the morning. Outside noise seems louder than it used to. Or you’re simply wondering whether your windows are still performing the way they should.
Those things are worth paying attention to, but they don’t automatically mean you need new windows.
At Great Plains Windows and Doors, we believe homeowners should understand what’s happening with their windows before making a decision about what to do next. Sometimes there’s a relatively simple explanation or repair. Other times, replacement may make more sense.
Here’s what some of the most common window concerns can, and can’t, tell you.
Condensation Doesn’t Always Mean Window Failure
Seeing moisture on your windows can be confusing because where the condensation appears matters.
Condensation on the room-side surface of the glass can occur when warm, humid indoor air meets a cooler glass surface. Cooking, showering, indoor humidity levels and changing outdoor temperatures can all contribute.
Moisture or fogging between the panes of glass, however, may indicate that the insulated glass seal has been compromised.
That distinction is important. Seeing condensation shouldn’t automatically lead to the conclusion that you need an entirely new window. Identifying where the moisture is occurring is the first step.
What About Drafts?
If you can feel cold air around a window, something is worth investigating, but again, replacement isn’t automatically the answer.
Air movement may be related to worn weatherstripping, hardware that needs adjustment, gaps around the opening, installation issues or the condition of the window itself.
That’s why we prefer to look at what’s actually happening before recommending a solution.
Sometimes a repair or adjustment makes sense. Sometimes the age and condition of the window make replacement a better long-term option. A professional evaluation can help determine the difference.
If Your Home Seems Noisier Than It Used To
Windows also play a role in how much exterior noise makes its way into your home.
If traffic, lawn equipment, neighbors or other outside sounds seem increasingly noticeable, your windows could be one piece of the puzzle. Glass configuration, seals, window construction and installation can all influence sound transmission.
That doesn’t necessarily mean something has “failed,” but it’s another factor worth discussing if you’re evaluating the overall comfort of your home.
Repair or Replace? It Depends.
This might not be the most exciting answer, but it’s the transparent one: there isn’t a universal rule.
A relatively new window with a minor hardware or weatherstripping issue is very different from an older window experiencing several performance problems at once.
That’s why we look at the individual window, its condition, how it was installed and what you’re experiencing in your home.
And if replacement isn’t the right answer? We’ll tell you that, too.
Start With a Conversation
You shouldn’t need to be a window expert before calling a window company. That’s our job.
At Great Plains Windows and Doors, our goal is to help homeowners understand what’s happening, explain the options clearly and answer questions without unnecessary pressure.
If you’ve noticed drafts, fogging, outside noise or another change in your windows or doors this fall, let’s take a look. We’ll help you determine what may be causing it and what—if anything—makes sense to do about it.