7 Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Home Windows
Whether your house is old or new, your windows contribute to the look and energy efficiency of your home. As a result, you need to ensure proper window maintenance helps to optimize their performance and extend their life.
Today, we share seven of our professional window longevity tips to help increase life span and reduce your energy bills.
1. Conduct Seasonal Window Maintenance
Window care calls for regular maintenance to spot issues and perform repairs.
We recommend doing this in the spring and fall to address damage before your windows fall into serious disrepair. The more serious the damage, the more it interferes with window performance and the more likely it becomes you’ll need window replacement.
2. Clean Your Windows Inside and Out
Washing windows at least twice a year can help them last longer.
Clean windows not only help protect them from wear and tear but also provide more natural light and better views. For interiors, things like collected dirt, grime and spider nests in the window tracks can make the operation less smooth, cause windows to jam, and contribute to premature wear and tear.
Outside, things like algae, mold, insects, bird droppings and more can damage paint finishes and aluminum if your window frames aren’t vinyl. If your windows have a Low-E film, they require special cleaning to protect the film from damage, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
3. Refinish Painted Frames
If your frames are painted, you’ll have to protect the wood or old aluminum by removing peeled paint and repainting. FYI, vinyl windows don’t peel, so are easier to maintain.
4. Replace Cracked Glass ASAP
Cracked glass is not only dangerous but also affects the integrity of your windows.
As a result, you should replace damaged glass ASAP. Cracks also impact your home’s energy efficiency, allowing air to flow through the window. Energy-efficient windows usually contain argon gas between the panes, which leaks when the glass is cracked. Without the gas, windows lose their ability to help maintain comfortable temperatures in your home.
5. Repair Damaged Window Screens
Screens keep bugs out while also helping to reduce the amount of debris that can enter your home and get into your window tracks.
Both the screen and spine of the screen should be checked each season to make sure they are intact to help act as a filter for dirt.
6. Reseal Caulking
Caulking and other window seals wear down over time.
This can lead to all kinds of issues, including water damage, mold, and wood rot. Checking your seals and replacing them when they are cracked or damaged will help maintain not just your windows but your entire home’s structure. It also keeps windows energy efficient.
7. Follow Maintenance Based on Window Type
As you probably noticed in tips #2 and #3, different window frame materials require different types of maintenance.
Be sure your maintenance addresses specific materials to protect your frames from peeling paint, as well as energy-efficient details such as low-e coatings and argon gas.
These tips will help protect your home, improve energy efficiency, and prolong the life of your windows. If your windows look a little worse for wear, it might be time to invest in home improvement and replace them.
The Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality home remodeling and roofing company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
