With so many other things to pay for, it can be easy to put off the replacement of your old windows for another year, and then another, and then another.
We understand that there are much more exciting ways to spend your money, but older style and poorly installed windows could be costing you thousands in unnecessary energy bills and putting the safety and security of your home in jeopardy.
Did you know, for example, that new double glazed energy efficient windows from leading Double Glazing Companies Edinburgh could slash the heat lost through your windows by as much as 75%? In a standard detached property in the UK, this can lead to over £150 worth of savings each year on your energy bills.
That said, how exactly are you meant to tell if the time has come for your windows to be replaced? After all, as much as you don’t want to wait too long to have them replaced with new double glazing you also don’t want to waste money by replacing perfectly acceptable windows before their time has come.
We are here to help, with a list of 6 of the tell-tale signs that your windows need to be replaced for you to keep an eye out for.
1) Your windows haven’t been replaced for many years
Double glazing technology has come a long way in the last few decades and if your windows have been in place for over 20 years, the fact is that upgrading to new double glazing will dramatically improve the energy efficiency of your property.
If you can’t remember your windows ever being replaced, and you have lived in the property for many years, there is a good chance that the time has come to have them replaced, and you may well be spending far more on your energy bills than necessary.
Unfortunately, no matter how well you look after your windows or how high-quality they were at the time of installation, all things move on modern double glazing is superior in every way possible.
2) Your windows are difficult to open
If your windows are stiff or hard to open, this could be sign that either the internal mechanism has begun to fail, or that the window has begun to warp in its frame.
This is particularly common with older style sash windows but can occur with any window design. You could choose to have the hinges alone replaced but then you will miss out on all the other benefits of new double glazed windows and if the hinges are deteriorating the chances are the rest of the window isn’t far behind.
3) Your windows are externally glazed
Modern double glazed windows are internally glazed, meaning that the glazing bead is fitted on the interior side of the glass panes. This prevents intruders from removing the glazing bead from the outside and makies it easier to gain access.
If your windows are old, they may well be externally glazed and if this is the case they should be replaced as a matter of urgency as they pose a genuine security threat.
4) High levels of condensation
Condensation is a clear indication that a window is not performing well in terms of thermal efficiency. If the inside of your windows is at a low temperature, due to a failure to prevent heat transfer, moisture will form when the warm air of your home comes into contact with it.
This not only indicates that a replacement is needed to improve energy efficiency and save you money, but also to prevent mould from growing as a result of high internal moisture levels, posing a range of nasty respiratory health risks.
5) You have problems with mould
As mentioned, poorly insulated windows can result in the growth of mould on the walls close to the window. This in itself can be a sign that your windows need to be replaced, either because condensation is forming or because the weather proofing of the window has failed and leaks are occurring around the frame.
6) Unusually high energy bills
We are all currently suffering from the hike in energy prices and most of us are paying more now to heat our homes than we have ever done before. If you find that you are using far more energy to heat your home than the average for a property of your size, however, there may be a more local problem in the form of windows that are not performing in the way that they should.
Poorly installed or older windows will leak heat at a rapid meaning you need to have your heating system turned on more often, and for a longer period just to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.