My Husband and I went window shopping today in Hoover, Alabama. Not the kind where you walk down the street and look at new clothes through the store window, but shopping FOR windows. My house was built in 1986 in Hoover, Alabama, and several of the windows are loosing their seals, not opening or closing well, and one has a crack. So, we have decided it is time to replace them.
What does loosing its seal mean? We have double pane windows. That means we have two panes of glass with argon gas in between. This gas adds additional insulation so the heat stays out - or in - depending on what time of year it is. When the seal begins to deteriorate, moisture will form on the inside of the window and it will eventually scar the window so it appears foggy. At first it resembles a dirty window, but if it won't come clean, that is a sign that your seals are broken. The windows still work, but they don't look as good and they are not as energy efficient as they once were.
Many of my windows do not open and close well. When I moved in, most of my windows were painted shut so I had to pry them apart with a knife. I think that is how I broke the window (by beating on it to get it loose).... Anyway, the part of the window on the side is made of some kind of aluminum stuff that just looks cheap and the windows don't glide up and down very well. I also have double hung windows which means there is a top window and a bottom window and both move up and down. Sometimes when I try to raise the bottom window, the top window comes down and I don't want it to do that. I don't need windows with a mind of their own!! Since I like fresh air, and would like the windows to open and close properly, I would like this part of the window fixed as well.
One thing I DO NOT have is rotten windows. I see a LOT of rotten windows in this business, but mine are in good shape. That could be because I really keep an eye on my windows and make sure they are primed and painted all the time.
What I learned today is that you don't have to buy a whole new window to fix these problems. The sashes (that is the window glass and the wood directly around it) can be replaced independently from the rest of the window. So if you have glazed windows (broken seals) you only need to replace the sashes. Also, the part on the sides where the sashes slide up and down can be replaced independently. The trim and the sills on the outside can be left in place.
One thing to look for is the energy efficiency rating on the windows. The lower the U Value rating the more efficient and the less heat that will pass through the window. If the window is exposed to direct sunlight, look at the solar heat gain coefficient and the lower the number the less heat will come through the glass. You might want to look for windows with the Energy Star which means the windows have passed certain guidelines. Also, if you have a lot of noise, such as traffic, you want a higher STC rated window to help block out the noise. Check out my August Newsletter for tips on cutting noise in your home.
Windows used to be made out of wood, which I mentioned earlier can rot. Windows also come in vinyl, which doesn't rot. They don't look as good as wood windows (in my opinion). There is a new option worth looking at; Cellular PVC. These windows look like wood and can be painted just like wood. I saw them today and I thought they looked really good and are an excellent choice for my replacement windows.
Wanting to make your home more "green" or environmental friendly? Look at replacing your windows. There may even be a tax credit available. Talk to your friendly accountant.
If you are thinking about fixing your home up to sell, look for any window issues before putting the home on the market. Home Inspectors are really good at pointing out those broken seals in their inspection reports. You should be proactive and replace the defective windows prior to putting the home on the market, or have some estimates made on replacement windows so you are ready with a plan should the buyer ask you to replace the windows.
Have any Real Estate Questions, let me know at www.ToniBird.com.
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