The Perfect Basement Apartment

Maintaining a house can be costly and time-consuming, but it is an important part of protecting your real estate investment. From shampooing your carpet and repairing a leaky faucet to washing your home's exterior and mowing the lawn, it is easy to see the stressful nature of home maintenance. Thankfully, certain updates not only improve your home's appeal, but they also can increase your home's value. New energy efficient windows can give you an estimated 70 percent return on your investment, but you should understand when your home is ready for this update. With this guide, you will understand when your home is in need of new windows through a place like Morgan Exteriors Inc.

Condensation on Windows

If you notice the glass of your windows is foggy, it is most likely due to condensation. Condensation on your windows develops due to a failed seal. When your window's seal fails, moisture penetrates the glass between each pane. This moisture allows air to seep through the glass, resulting in the condensation and foggy glass.

If your window's seal has failed, you may also notice a white film on the glass panes. When air and moisture penetrates the glass, calcium deposits will build up on the windows, resulting in the white filmy residue.

If your windows lack proper insulation due to failed seals, contact the window's manufacturer to learn if your windows are still under warranty. Most manufacturers offer a 10 or 20 year warranty, but some companies will offer a lifetime guarantee, allowing you a free replacement if your window seals fail.

Your Home Is Drafty

In the summer, warm air can enter your home through poor quality windows. In the winter, you may experience cool bursts of air each time you walk by a window. These drafts of air are not normal and should be addressed to improve your home's comfort level.

As your windows age, the seals will wear down, decreasing the amount of insulation the glass provides. If your sashes and frames of your windows wear down and become loose, small gaps will form around the glass panes. Air will infiltrate through these gaps, as well, leading to uncomfortable drafts in your home.

When you feel these drafts of air, your first inclination may be to apply weather stripping around the windows. While sealing around your windows is beneficial, it is only a temporary fix. The sealant will eventually expand and stretch, allowing air to seep through the gaps, so replacing your old windows is your best option for preventing future drafts.

Increased Heating and Cooling Costs

Heating and cooling your home accounts for an estimated 45 percent of your total energy costs. Unfortunately, if your windows lack the proper seals to insulate your home, a great deal more energy will be necessary to heat and cool your home.

Installing new windows will prevent air from leaking through broken seals and worm frames. This will decrease the amount of energy you need to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. Not only will your home be heated and cooled in a proper manner, but you will also see a decrease in your monthly energy bills.

When choosing your new windows, make sure to pay attention to the U-Value and SHGC. The U-value represents the window's resistance to heat loss.  Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC, refers to the amount of heat that enters through your window's glass. The lower the U-value and SHGC, the more efficient your window will be.

Your windows are a key part of your home's appeal, value, and comfort, so understanding the importance of replacing them when necessary is imperative. Using this guide, you will know when and why to update your old windows with new, energy-efficient, and appealing models.