It was in the heart of a New England summer when Stephanie noticed her energy bills were skyrocketing. Despite her efforts with blackout curtains and bubble wrap insulation, her old windows were making her home hot and uncomfortable. That’s when she realized that proper window maintenance in the summer wasn’t just about clever tricks, but about understanding and addressing the core issues. If only there was a window replacement checklist for the summer season!
Just like Stephanie, many homeowners are seeking effective ways to keep their homes cool while keeping energy bills low. If you’re battling with rotted frames, condensation between glass panes, or dated warped vinyl windows, this blog will guide you through maintaining windows in the summer. We’re going to show you how to spot issues, solve them, and ensure a comfortable and cost-effective New England summer for your home.
This Article Will Discuss: Window Replacement Checklist
- 1. The Windows are Tough to Open and Close
- 2. Inefficient Storm Windows
- 3. Rotting Wood, Warped Frames and Moisture Damage
- 4. Old and Bowed Vinyl Window Frames
- 5. Seal Failure (Foggy Windows) Inefficient Windows
- 6. Drafty Windows
If you have old wood windows with rotted frames, condensation between the glass panes, or dated warped vinyl windows, small insulation attempts won’t improve their performance. This blog will show you how to maintain windows in the summer for New England homeowners.
1. The Windows are Tough to Open and Close
Do you have a hard time opening and closing the windows? There are several reasons why this may be the case, all while causing different types of problems:
+ The window may no longer properly fit inside the frame. This can happen over many years of the house settling.
+ Non-functional windows make your home vulnerable to break-ins. Be sure that all window locks are properly functioning, including sash locks, window latches, window stays, and vent limit latches.
+ Windows that are painted shut can cause rot and rust, making them non-operable.
+ TIP: Ventilation latches are the small pieces of metal or plastic that are in the top sashes (the top glass area of your double-hung window) of your new windows. When engaged, this feature allows your window to open a few inches to let the breeze inside. Meanwhile, it blocks the window from opening any further to prevent animals, pests, or intruders from entering your home. It can also help discourage children from trying to climb out the window.
If your windows don’t easily open and close, this is a performance problem as well as a security problem. When you’re looking into how to maintain windows in the summer, you’ll need to address these issues immediately.
2. Inefficient Storm Windows
Although storm windows are engineered to protect wood frames and can even help reduce outdoor noise, they also present several issues. In this part of the window maintenance checklist for summer, we are focusing on why storm windows aren’t efficient at keeping your home cool.
+ Wood decay from water that collects inside of the sash.
+ Excessive condensation on the windows. Storm windows take the brunt of inclement weather and transform into a surface that’s perfect for collecting condensation.
+ Storm windows simply aren’t a smart investment, especially if you plan to spring for custom storm windows with wood frames. They are typically too expensive to justify the cost in terms of performance and energy savings.
Are your storm windows doing you more harm than good?
Truthfully, there aren’t many good reasons to have storm windows installed in your home.
+ They don’t look great in terms of curb appeal.
+ Difficult to maintain without unscrewing.
+ Tracks need to be lubricated and kept clean.
+ Causes moisture and mold issues.
+ Lets in less light.
+ Most importantly, offer little-to-no benefits for energy savings.
3. Rotting Wood, Warped Frames and Moisture Damage
When you want to know how to maintain windows in the summer, you’ll need to take a close look at the physical condition of your window. Rotting wood and moisture damage is one of the biggest indicators of new window replacement.
+ Rotting wood is soft to the touch and crumbles away when you touch it.
+ To help prevent moisture damage, look for small flaps that cover the weep holes to keep the wind from coming inside. Other signs of moisture damage include discoloration on the windows, cracks, peeling paint, bubbles, and sagging frames.
4. Old and Bowed Vinyl Window Frames
Did you install old vinyl windows in the 90s? How are they holding up in 2022? Lately, a lot of New England homeowners are contacting us with problems concerning their old vinyl windows with warping frames.
+ Bowed vinyl windows are becoming more prevalent. Unfortunately, dated vinyl windows from the 90s are built to fail because they are designed with poor quality materials. Alot of them “smile” meaning they bow from not being 100% virgin vinyl.
+ When the window frames are warping, the window is not properly fitting inside the wall, which leads to drafts and other performance problems.
+ Quality Vinyl Frames: Your new windows will be engineered from pure virgin uPVC. Choose window frames that are equipped with a polyurethane insulating foam core. This is key to cutting down on energy loss through all seasons.
5. Seal Failure (Foggy Windows) Inefficient Windows
Are your windows foggy? Look to this window maintenance checklist for when you need to worry:
+ When you look out your window, are you looking at a nice and clear view? If all you see is fog that won’t wipe away, you’ll likely have a seal failure and need new windows.
+ A foggy window that won’t wipe away is a sign of seal failure. When a seal breaks inside the window, it won’t properly insulate your home.
+ If there was any argon or krypton inside the panes, it has likely escaped.
Summer Window Maintenance Checklist: How to Fix Foggy Windows
There are a couple of steps you can take if you discover this issue. You can inquire about your window’s warranty, which may (or may not) cover seal failure.
The next consideration you can make is window replacement. This way you’ll know that there is no seal failure and the gas is exactly where it should be inside the panes. Make sure you have a transferable lifetime warranty that covers seal failures- and that it covers the entire sash not just the glass.
6. Drafty Windows
If you have drafty windows, this is a serious sign of air infiltration which majorly impacts the performance of your home. Sometimes homeowners have trouble telling if their windows are drafty, but these tips can help:
+ Your curtains and window treatments move when your windows are closed.
+ You feel warm air coming inside during the summer. It’s summertime now, but it won’t be long until cold temperatures creep into the New England region.
+ Skyrocketing energy bills. This is perhaps one of the biggest (and most costly) signs that your windows need to be replaced. Vinyl window installation will save you money, up to 30%, on your energy bills and keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
7. How to Maintain Windows in the Summer: The Most Important Technologies for Energy Efficient Windows
If you’re wondering how to maintain windows in the summer, you’re likely looking for ways to maximize your energy savings. The good news is that energy efficient technologies will improve your home’s performance with the following:
Argon & Krypton Gas
When you hear about replacement windows containing energy efficient gases, this is likely a reference to argon gas. Argon is a gas that’s denser than air. Its purpose is to enhance the thermal efficiency of the window and essentially create an extra barrier to block energy loss. Krypton is even denser than argon, and it also costs more. Krypton gas is also a good fit for the tight chambers of triple pane windows, resulting in an ultra-efficient replacement window for your home.
Low-E Glazing
Low-e is an invisible coating that is applied to the glass of your replacement windows. It reflects the sun’s rays during the summer to help keep your home cool.
Air Infiltration Ratings
Air leakage rating is incredibly important because it relates to energy loss through your windows. While no windows can give you the same seal as a solid wall, you’ll want to choose windows with a rating as close to 0.3 as possible. For example, the air infiltration rating of our windows is .01–the lowest that you can get without being a solid wall!
Are My Windows Energy Efficient? Replace Windows & Stay Cool This Summer
When you invest in replacement windows for your home, you can verify your window’s energy efficiency by searching for the Energy Star seal. This can help you potentially save hundreds of dollars on energy bills all year long, especially when you upgrade from old single-pane windows. Our windows exceed the Energy Star 7.0 ratings!
Do you need help determining how to maintain windows in the summer? The best course of action is to replace old windows for maximized energy savings. When you want a cooler home this summer with lower energy bills, contact Coastal Windows & Exteriors for a free estimate and more information on how to insulate windows for summer.
Serving New England since 2011, Coastal Windows & Exteriors provides New England homeowners with quality exterior home improvement services, including replacement windows, roofing, siding, and entry door installation. Our products are carefully crafted with weather-resistant materials, engineered to protect your home through every season. We are a woman-owned, family-run company dedicated to educating New England homeowners on the importance of exterior maintenance. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate on your next home improvement project.
