Before you go shopping for new windows, it’s important to consider what can be repaired and what can’t. You may save thousands in energy costs by replacing all of your old windows, but the thousands you’ll spend in buying and installing those new windows will more than make up the difference. If you are considering window replacements in Toronto ON, here are some good pointers on when and how to know that it’s time for a replacement window.
#1. Shattered windows
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. If your window is shattered, then it’s time for a new one. Especially if the frame is heavily damaged along with it, then a new one will just be the better option. This is not the same as a normal broken window, such as when a rock flies through it. If the entire window is blown out of the frame, completely shattered, then it’s time for a new one.
#2. Really old windows
If your home’s windows were built before 1978, then there’s a chance that they may be infected with lead paint, which was banned in the late 70’s. Lead paint is very harmful, especially to the young. Breathing it in over long periods of time can have terrible side effects on the lungs and even the brain. Have your entire house, particularly your windows, checked for lead paint when you move in, if you notice that the house was built before 1978. If you’re told that there is lead paint, have it removed, any cost pales in comparison to the hospital bills you will have to pay later.
#3. Extensive rot
While rot can be repaired, there’s only so much a professional can do before it becomes more trouble than it’s worth. If the rot has really seeped into the frame of the window, then it’s time for a replacement. The repairman needs to remove the frame, so he can repair what he can in the area around the frame. Window rot can be a serious health risk, and even cost you hundreds in heating bills, since the rot will compromise the frame’s ability to keep air inside and outside.
It’s relatively easy to tell when it’s time to replace a window. The evidence will usually be self-evident and impossible to ignore for long. So, keep an eye on your windows, and make sure that nothing is out of the ordinary. If it is, then it’s time for a new window.
