Top Signs Your Windows Need Replacement This Fall
Fall in Burlington is a good time to take an honest look at your windows. The weather is still mild enough to work on the house, and the first cold nights make problems easy to spot. If your windows are showing their age, replacing them before winter means you are not spending the next few months living with drafts and cold rooms.
Here are the most common signs we see in homes across Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown and Hamilton.
1. You Can Feel Drafts Near Closed Windows
If you feel moving air near a window that is closed and locked, the seals, weatherstripping or frame are no longer doing their job. Try holding your hand near the corners and sash edges on a windy day. Persistent drafts after you have replaced weatherstripping usually point to a window that is past its prime.
2. Fog or Condensation Between the Panes
Sealed double-glazed units have a seal around the edge of the glass. When that seal fails, moisture gets between the panes and you see fogging, streaks or haze that you cannot wipe away. Once that seal is gone, the window will not insulate the way it was designed to.
3. Frost or Ice on the Inside of the Glass
Some condensation on very cold mornings can be normal, especially in high humidity rooms. Regular frost or ice on the inside of the glass, or water pooling on the sill, is a sign the window is letting the cold through.
4. Windows Are Hard to Open, Close or Lock
Sashes that stick, cranks that strip, and locks that will not engage are more than an annoyance. A window that does not close fully cannot seal, and a window that will not open easily is a safety concern in a bedroom.
5. Rot, Soft Spots or Warped Frames
Older wood frames can soften, swell or rot, especially along the bottom sill where water sits. Peeling paint and soft spots are an early warning. Warped frames also make it hard for the sash to seal.
6. Rooms That Never Feel Comfortable
If one room is always colder in winter or warmer in summer, the windows are a likely suspect, especially on north and west facing walls that take the brunt of the weather off the lake and escarpment.
7. Noise Coming Through
If you live near the QEW, the 403 or a busy Burlington arterial and hear traffic clearly through closed windows, the windows may no longer be sealing well.
8. Your Windows Look Dated
Sometimes the windows work fine but no longer suit the home. Updated windows can change the look of a house as much as a new front door.
What to Expect When You Replace
At The Door Centre, we install windows by Frank Windows and Doors. They come with a lifetime non-limited, non-prorated warranty, and every job is backed by our 10-year installation workmanship warranty. We will look at the windows you have, talk about which styles make sense for each room, and give you a clear quote.
If your sliding patio door is showing the same signs, it can usually be replaced in just 2 to 3 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace just a few windows instead of the whole house? Yes. Many homeowners start with the worst windows and replace the rest over time.
Is fall a good time to replace windows? Yes. Mild fall weather is comfortable for installation, and you will be sealed up before winter.
What warranty comes with new windows? Frank windows carry a lifetime non-limited, non-prorated warranty, and our installation workmanship is covered for 10 years.
Book Your Free Quote
Seeing a few of these signs? Visit our showroom at 4280 Harvester Rd, Burlington, to see window options in person, call 905-333-4044 or email info@thedoorcentre.ca to book your free quote.
