10 signs that you need new doors and windows

Every homeowner asks themselves at least once, “Do I need new doors and windows?”. The answer to this question relies on various factors, but there are some surefire signs that you need new doors and windows. For example, you may need to increase the security of your home. Most of professional home security systems lean heavily on a good door/window foundation, after all. Or you may experience furniture fading or an increased energy bill. Or you may hear the neighbors “louder” than before. All in all, there are many warning signs out there, you just need to look out for them. This article will show you where you need to look.

10 signs that you need new doors and windows

1. The furniture is fading
2. Your home is experiencing leaks during a storm
3. Warped/cracked frames
4. Your energy bill is increasing
5. You don’t feel safe with your current doors and windows
6. Neighborhood noise is “louder” than before
7. Strange draft in the home
8. Condensation buildup
9. Having a harder time opening/closing your doors and windows
10. The curb appeal is lacking

Aside from these signs, there might be more, depending on your situation. Getting new doors and windows is almost always a good thing to do. If you are considering replacing them, and you have the means to do so, you should almost always go through with it. That being said, replacing doors and windows can be quite costly, so you might want to wait until you spot a definite reason to do so. Or you might want to burglar proof your home on a budget first. There are definitely some considerations where door/window replacement is concerned. But for now, let’s take a look at these warning signs in a bit more detail.

Fading furniture may indicate that you need new doors and windows

Fading furniture is one of the clear signs that you need new doors and windows. Most of the older doors and windows utilize single-pane glass, which can contribute to your furniture and other items fading over time. What you need to do is look around the doors and windows and search for any signs of fading, especially on fabrics and wood. The single-pane glass does little to prevent UV rays, allowing them to fade your furniture before you know it. By replacing your doors and windows with modern ones, you will all but eliminate the source of the fading.

You might also want to consider improving the privacy of your home at the same time. If you replace the doors and windows with ones that have frosted glass, for example, it will be very difficult for someone from the outside to see what is going on inside. Of course, you can also go for one-way glass doors and windows for maximum privacy and maximum visibility. Frosted glass works both ways, unfortunately.

Your doors and windows leak during a storm

One of the clearest signs you can get that the time to replace your doors and windows has come is the fact that they are leaking water inside your home during a storm. Leaks such as these can absolutely wreak havoc upon your home if left unchecked. Not only will your comfort be lessened but your flooring and frames will suffer too. And there’s the mold and mildew to consider, both of which can pose a serious health hazard. Speaking of which, if you happen to notice any mold alongside the door/window frames, it is a dead giveaway that you need to replace them. If you do not want to be dealing with the aftereffects, it is much better to simply remove the source.

Do not think that a small leak is insignificant, give it enough attention that it deserves. That being said, if this is your first time noticing the leak, you may be able to repair the doors and windows for the time being. Purchasing new home fixtures can be a costly endeavor, after all, and you might want to get yourself into a suitable financial situation first. But as far as signs that you need new doors and window go, leaks, mold, and mildew are as clear as they come.

Warped or cracked frames are one of the sure signs that you need new doors and window

Some of the first signs that it is time to replace your doors and windows come in the form of warped or cracked frames. While this is not necessarily the sign for immediate replacement, it precludes many other issues. Warped or cracked frames will make it extremely difficult to control indoor humidity as well, creating a somewhat unhealthy environment. And then there are air leaks to consider.

The trouble is, you may not even notice these warps and cracks if you don’t look out for them. What you can do is add “check doors and windows” to your home security maintenance checklist, as doors and windows are oftentimes ignored due to other electronic devices. But they deserve as much of your attention, if not more. They are the portal to your home, after all, and they are responsible for keeping the “bad” things out and the “good” things in.

Your energy bill has gone up

If you notice that your energy bill is higher than in previous years, your doors and windows might be the culprit. The problem here is that there are many factors that might influence your energy bill and you might not even consider the doors and windows to be the culprit. So how exactly do the doors and windows influence your energy bill?

Simple, doors and windows that are old, cracked, and warped, allow gaps of air to leak through them. This makes your HVAC system work twice as hard to maintain the set temperature. Sometimes, even brand new doors and windows can contribute to this effect, especially if a part of a DIY project. In fact, one of the risks of DIY home security installation is the fact that you might reposition your doors and windows ever so slightly that you don’t even notice it until the energy bill makes you realize what is going on. The best thing you can do is to carefully monitor your energy usage, as that will allow you to spot whether your doors and windows need replacing.

You don’t feel safe with your current doors and windows

According to some of the home burglary statistics to consider, doors and windows are the most common burglar entry points. If there were ever any clear signs that you need new doors and windows, the heightening crime rate in your neighborhood comes at the very top of the list. If you are not feeling safe, thinking that just about anyone can come barging in, it is time to invest in sturdier fixtures. Security doors and windows are not as expensive as they used to be. With a minimal additional investment, you can both improve the safety of your home and solve any of the other problems before they even come up.

You can hear the neighbors louder than before

Old doors and windows do not have much in the form of soundproofing. In fact, you can almost as easily hear what is going on outside whether the doors or windows are open or not. But even if you have relatively newer fixtures, there’s still the possibility that the wear and tear have influenced the door/window’s ability to muffle the sound. Or you might have simply become more sensitive to outside noises. Either way, installing new doors and windows with dual-pane or triple-pane glass will do wonders when it comes to soundproofing your home.

Your home is experiencing a strange draft

If you happen to notice a draft even when the windows and doors are fully closed, it might indicate that the seals are worn off or are in the process of wearing off. The door/window seals are there to prevent any air from both coming inside and going outside. If they are about to wear off, and you notice a draft, it might be time to replace the doors and windows altogether. While you may be able to repair the issue, for the time being, it is never going to go away.

However, as mentioned previously, it might be a good idea to repair the fixtures at first and then plan their replacement in the following months. While a draft is worrisome, it is not as damaging as your doors leaking water during a storm. However, these two are usually connected, as the draft indicates a spot where water can seep through. What you can do is do your own water penetration testing before the storm hits. If the doors and windows are leaking water, it might be time to replace them.

Condensation buildup is one of the signs that you need new doors and window

Almost every home has a few condensation issues. While some condensation might be expected from time to time, if you spot condensation between window/door panes, it might be a sign of a more serious issue. The reason why it might be an issue is the fact that the condensation between the window panes is only possible if the seal is no longer airtight. Most of the time, you will not be able to repair this issue and will need to replace the offending window. Some doors that have glass panes can also suffer from this sort of condensation, indicating that they are ripe for replacement, as well.

Initially, this is not something that you need to be overly concerned with. But as soon as you see this particular sign, you might want to plan an eventual replacement in due time. You will have some time before it becomes an issue but it is always if you can act quickly.

You have a harder time operating your doors and windows

If you notice that your doors and windows are much harder to operate than before, it might be a sign that they need replacement. Most of the time, however, a few simple repairs will do. For example, you can remove the dust/dirt buildup or grease the hinges. But if you find that your doors and windows are still difficult to operate, despite the repairs, the only thing that you can do is to replace them altogether.

You want to increase the curb appeal of your home

Lastly, this might not be a necessity but curb appeal can be extremely important to some people. And what has the greatest influence on curb appeal? That’s right, doors and windows. If you happen to look at your home from the outside and think that it looks weathered and worn, perhaps it is time to replace the windows and the front doors. Furthermore, if you plan on selling your home, this becomes less of a consideration and more of a necessity.

Potential buyers want a home that does not require any further investments. If they see shabby doors and windows, they might be inclined to take their money elsewhere. Or try to negotiate the price much harder than usual. Either way, if you are planning on selling your home, replacing the doors and windows is going to be your #1 priority. Provided, of course, that they warrant replacement. You don’t need to replace beautiful-looking doors and windows, after all. As far as signs that you need new doors and windows go, these were some of the most important ones. But even if you do not see any of these signs and simply think that replacing the doors and windows is a good idea, we advise you to go for it. Home improvement makes us happier, after all.

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