7 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Windows

Austin homes work hard. The AC runs from May through October, the sun bakes south-facing glass all afternoon, and the occasional hailstorm puts real stress on anything not built for the Texas climate. Most windows last 15 to 20 years before the signs of failure start showing up. When it is time, professional window replacement pays for itself. Here is what to look for before a small problem becomes an expensive one.

Drafts Around the Frame

Hold your hand near a closed window on a hot afternoon. If you feel warm air creeping in around the edge, the seal between the frame and the rough opening has broken down. Your AC is compensating. You are paying for it on your electric bill without knowing why.

Fogging Between the Panes

Double-pane windows trap argon gas between two panes of glass to create an insulating barrier. When the seal fails, that gas escapes and moisture moves in. The foggy look is irreversible without replacing the window or the glass unit. A single failed pane in an otherwise sound window is sometimes repairable, but an old window with a failed seal has usually reached the end of its practical life.

Rising Utility Bills Without a Clear Reason

Windows account for roughly 25 to 30 percent of a home's heating and cooling load according to the U.S. Department of Energy. When they fail, your HVAC system picks up the slack silently. If your summer bills have climbed over the past few years and your equipment has not changed, old windows are a logical suspect.

Windows That Stick or Won't Lock Properly

Frames warp. Wood frames absorb moisture and swell. Vinyl frames installed without adequate expansion gaps bind up in summer heat. A window that requires significant force to open or close is also one that cannot seal properly when shut. That is a security issue, not just a nuisance.

Visible Frame Damage

Rotting wood, cracked vinyl, or corroded aluminum around the frame is a direct path for moisture intrusion. Water gets into the wall cavity, and then you have a much more expensive problem than the window itself. Paint bubbling or peeling on interior trim near the window is often the first visible sign.

Street Noise That Seems Louder Than It Used To

Modern double-pane windows with laminated glass reduce sound transmission noticeably. If traffic or neighbor noise seems louder than it did a few years ago, the glass or frame seals may have deteriorated. A subtle sign, but a real one.

Age Alone

Windows older than 20 years are worth evaluating even if no obvious symptoms have appeared. The technology in a current Energy Star-rated window is meaningfully better than what was standard in 2005. A free consultation with Austin Window Pros takes about an hour and gives you a clear picture of where your windows actually stand.