How to Know When to Replace Window Frames

Replacing windows can be costly so it is important to know if you want to replace the entire window or just the frames. Windows improve the curb appeal of our homes and also helps to depict the style and elegance of our homes. Sometimes, you can tell the era that a house was built by the type of windows installed. When there are certain issues with your windows, you may struggle to replace your windows because you do not want to remove the charm that defines your house style.

While it is important to maintain the integrity of your home, you should know that there will come a time when a window becomes greatly inefficient due to wear and tear. No matter how long a window lasts, there comes a time when it needs to be changed. However, before you embark on a window replacement project it is important to know if your whole window needs replacement or just the frames. 

In this article, we will examine three reasons why you should replace your window frames.

3 Reasons Why You Should Replace Your Window Frames

Damaged Frames

A window frame is made up of different parts and consists of the stationary part that encloses the window panes. It is made of jambs, sills, and moldings. It usually encloses the sash on an operating window or the glass on double-glazed windows.

Window frames can be made of various materials like wood, vinyl, composite, aluminum, and fiberglass. No matter what type of window frame you have in your home, a window frame needs to be replaced when it malfunctions. While many homeowners prefer wooden window frames it is susceptible to decay, rot, and pest infestation. A window frame becomes less functional when it begins to crack, rot, decay or warp as in the case of vinyl windows. Replacing a window frame early saves you from damaging the other structural parts of your building.

Drafts & Air Leaks

One of the ways that you will know that your windows are functioning at optimum capacity is when it is airtight. Window frames that are malfunctioning may allow air leaks into your home, which makes it difficult to regulate the temperature in your home during hot and cold weather alike. A window frame that allows air leaks into your home needs replacement. Replacing the window frame will help reduce energy bills and ensure maximum efficiency.

Cost of Maintenance

Window frames that need more maintenance and attention to keep them optimal may become cumbersome for homeowners. For example, although wood window frames are popular, they are also susceptible to more maintenance requirements. If you are spending so much to maintain your window frames, you may want to replace them with a more comparable window frame type with less maintenance costs.

Window frames are part of our windows which increases the curb appeal of our homes and allows light into the home, however, it is important to recognize when our window frames need replacement to continue to enjoy the value they bring to the home.