The easiest way to spot wear and tear is to start with your home’s exteriors. Roofing systems, pavements, and entryways usually experience wear and tear more frequently than your home’s indoor components. Among these vulnerable parts are your windows.
Besides giving your home better ventilation and protection from rainfall and sunlight, windows offer your interiors a unique change of pace. Since they’re noticeable attachments inside and outside your home, their signs of damage are generally easier to spot. If you’re planning to refurbish your home soon, they’re a great place to start.
Since you’re adding things to your renovation checklist, here are three reasons you should replace your windows:
Stronger Home Security
While some homeowners see their windows as aesthetic additions to their homes, criminals like burglars and home invaders see them as vulnerable entry points instead. Since doors are usually more robust in protecting your home, windows are the next best target for malicious individuals to break into your home.
You should check if your windows have effective locks to drive criminals away from your home. Cracks in the glass, rusty hinges, and broken locks can be spotted from outside, so it’s important to replace your windows before criminals can spot these defects.
Better Energy Efficiency
Besides protecting your home from unwanted guests and pests, windows also contribute to the overall energy efficiency of your home. Although people generally think of smart HVAC systems or energy-saving appliances, windows also play a vital role in your home’s comfort levels.
Windows can significantly reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs if they’re made with the right materials. This is why products such as window film are becoming more popular as a practical addition to preventing high HVAC system usage. Additionally, securing your windows will help reduce runoffs of air leaks that can waste your cooling and heating systems’ output.
Reduced Risk of Wear and Tear
Older homes have a more urgent need to replace their exterior and interior components. This is because the natural wear and tear of the home will be trickier to maintain over time. Older window designs have a very limited lifespan, reaching about 10 to 15 years at most, so older homes are more likely to need renovations. In contrast, modern window-making technology offers more robust materials to stand the test of time.
If you recently bought a pre-owned home, it’s important to ask the age of its exterior components. This includes anything from roof shingles to windows. If they’re already reaching past their golden years, you may want to replace them sooner rather than later. Doing so will prevent you from needing major renovations in the future.