Now that summer is upon us, you’ll find it easier to figure out if your windows are as energy efficient as they should be. The reason is that increased humidity from outside temperature changes will affect your home’s heating and cooling ability. Hot air may seep in, causing you to run your air conditioning system at a higher frequency than normal. This is a sign that they’re close to their best-before date. If your windows are the worse for wear and you need to get new ones, contact a Brampton, ON replacement windows retailer. But what if you’re not sure when to replace yours?

Here are 5 signs that may indicate that replacement windows are in order. When they are needed, it’s best to get them as soon as possible rather than to delay the project indefinitely.

1. Glass is Damaged

Broken or otherwise damaged glass is a clear sign that you need to consider getting new windows. Over the years, your windows will be exposed to just about everything weather-wise, and that includes heavy snow and lots of ice during the winter as well as excessive heat and ultraviolet rays during the summer. The windows will still hold up well over the long haul if taken care of and maintained, but they won’t last forever. If you see that the glass is broken or damaged, you should reach out to a replacement windows retailer for the help you need.

2. Wear and Tear Detracting from Curb Appeal

Are your windows so worn and torn that they’re starting to detract from your home’s curb appeal? After a long while, your windows will start to show their age. Stay on top of maintenance and keep in mind the life expectancy of the windows. If the warranty period is close to ending after perhaps a couple decades and the windows don’t look great, replacement windows are in order.

3. Heating Bills Higher

Living in the GTA means that you’re used to seeing your heating bills increase during the cold weather months. But if your bills spike markedly for apparently no reason, you might want to take a closer look at your windows. Have you lived in the same house for a long time without having had the windows changed? You might find, upon closer inspection, that you have single pane windows. The gold standard these days is multiple pane windows like double pane or triple pane. Your older windows, especially if they’re single pane, may simply not be capable of preventing outside air from seeping inside your home. This will force your furnace to work harder just to compensate for whatever chilly air is getting inside.

4. Hard to Operate

It shouldn’t take a huge effort to open and close your windows. If they’re damaged to the point where operation is difficult or even impossible, then you really need new windows. It’s sometimes hard to find replacement parts for older windows – and sometimes parts simply don’t exist anymore. In such cases, you’ll need to replace rather than fix your older windows.

5. Frame Falling Apart

Are your window frames starting to fall apart? That’s a sure sign that you need new windows. Exposure to the elements can do a number on window frames, and this is all the more the case if windows are not periodically maintained.

Should you decide that you need to get new windows, look no further than Brock Doors and Windows Ltd. We’re a Greater Toronto Area & Simcoe County replacement windows retailer that you can trust. For the help you need, reach out to one of our four showrooms today, located in Brampton, Etobicoke, Innisfil and Whitby, ON. You can also call us toll-free at 1(800) 449-3808.