Is it time to replace your old windows?

Replacing your windows can greatly improve the comfort of your home, lower your energy bills and increase its saleability. New windows are guaranteed to provide better ventilation as well as kerb appeal, but how do you know when it’s time to invest in new windows? Here are 5 of the biggest tell-tale signs to look out for. If any of them apply, it’s time to stop putting your home improvement plans off and get moving!

Your windows are looking weathered and worn

If your windows look like they’ve seen better days this could be a huge indicator that it’s time to replace them. Not only will tired and worn-out looking windows impact the overall aesthetic of your home, but it could be a sign that there are deeper problems to address.

If you have traditional timber windows, over time, rot can set into the wood. If left untreated mould will develop, causing the frame to warp and making the window difficult to open and close. Mould is a sign that moisture is being absorbed into the wood, which means the thermal efficiency of the frames is compromised. If your windows aren’t providing a good level of thermal efficiency, your energy bills will start to creep up as you must spend more money heating your home. Over time, rot can spread and affect larger areas around your windows. Not only will rotting windows lead to problems with mould, energy efficiency, and daily operation, but it can also cause health complications such as respiratory problems and skin rashes.

If your home has very old or poor quality uPVC windows, they may look discoloured and aged. Over time, these windows may expand and become warped. Warped uPVC can lead to cracks and chips and the thermal performance will gradually worsen as air is able to enter the chambers within the frame that are specifically designed to retain heat. As well as looking worn out, as mentioned above, old and inefficient uPVC windows will cost you money as you are forced to spend more on your energy bills.

Our modern uPVC windows are backed with a 10-year guarantee, but you can expect them to continue to perform long after those 10 years. Each of our uPVC products is A-rated for efficiency, style and satisfaction. Effectively retaining heat and lowering energy bills via a system of multiple chambers, our uPVC windows combine outstanding U-values with clean aesthetics. The U-value describes the rate at which heat is transferred through a window.

If you want all of the traditional charm of a wood finish, but don’t want to compromise on the modern benefits of uPVC, we offer our timber-effect uPVC windows that come in beautiful finishes such as Irish Oak or Rosewood. No matter what your desired aesthetic is, we’re certain we have a window solution for your home.

Condensation is building between your double glazing panels

If your double glazing is failing you may notice water leaks, condensation build-up and difficulty regulating the temperature in your home. Condensation building between your double glazing panes is a strong indication that the seals protecting the glazing have deteriorated, or worse, already totally failed. Nowadays, the thin gap between double glazing panels is often injected with argon gas. Argon gas is used to slow the transfer of heat through windows. It is extremely viscous, so it acts as a fantastic thermal barrier. Since molecular movement is so restricted within argon gas, far less heat is transferred and far less heat loss occurs. When the seal protecting this gas-filled gap becomes damaged, air can move much more freely through the window resulting in more heat transfer taking place, causing your energy bills to creep up.

Your windows are not providing acoustic protection

Our modern window styles are designed to reduce sound transfer which can make a huge difference to your quality of life, especially if you live near a busy road. If you can clearly hear noise from outside when you stand inside, and the window is shut, this is probably an indicator that your glazing is quite old and in need of an upgrade. So, if you want to rediscover peace and quiet, installing new windows could be the solution.

A correctly fitted window will make sure there are no tiny gaps around your windows for noise to travel through. Sound has a hard time traveling through our sealed window frames, as they contain multiple chambers that help to block and disrupt sound waves. Argon gas also has different soundwave properties to standard atmospheric air, so this also helps to disrupt soundwaves and prevent outside noise from disturbing you when you are trying to relax at home.

As well as providing thermal efficiency, our modern double glazing combined with our advanced window frame materials, like uPVC or aluminium, ensures excellent acoustic insulation far into the future.

What kind of glazing do you have?

There is a chance that you could be missing out on all of the amazing benefits offered by double glazing. If you’ve always wondered why your room is too cold in winter and too hot in the summer, it may be that you actually have a single pane of glass rather than double glazing. These windows are often found in older properties and they can make your home uncomfortable because they’re simply not as effective or as efficient as a more modern, double-glazed window.

It’s worth inspecting your window and identifying what type of glazing you have. Look at the inside edge of the window. If you see two panes of glass separated by a small spacer bar, then it’s a double glazed window. If you see one pane of glass and no spacer bar, then it’s single glazed.

Your windows are difficult to maintain

Has cleaning your windows become a major hassle? If it feels like keeping your windows clean is an impossible task it could be a sign that, instead of continually cleaning, it’s time to upgrade to something virtually maintenance-free.

Both aluminium and uPVC are naturally durable and low maintenance materials. Our windows will last for many years and stay in tip-top condition with only the minimal amount of maintenance involved – a simple wipe over with a damp cloth every once in a while is enough. We offer low maintenance glazing solutions to homeowners across Essex and our window products are available in a range of eye-catching styles.

Competitively priced windows tailored to homes in Essex, Dartford, Manchester & London

So, if you feel like it’s time to replace your old windows, or you’d like to enquire about any of our other high-performance home improvement products and services, get in touch today by calling 0203 667 9707 or contact us online. Alternatively, you can visit your local Chigwell Window Centre showroom and experience the sheer quality for yourself!