Nothing escapes the harshness of winter and your windows are no exception. Your aging units may continue to operate fine. But frigid air and precipitation can reveal issues that are not previously apparent or worsen those you downplay.
Below are the window problems you may experience when winter rolls around.
- Condensation
Condensation is when the moisture in warm air turns into liquid upon coming into contact with a cold surface. This phenomenon could happen any time of the year. But it happens more frequently during winter since the inside of the house is warmer due to heating.
Any window and door installation expert will attest that condensation indicates your room has a gap-less thermal enclosure system. The problem is that the droplets on the glass can obscure the view and damage certain construction materials.
- Frost
Freezing temperature can turn condensation into ice. Although frost can appear on any window, its probability is lowest among high-performance products since they have warmer interior surfaces.
- Frame Deformation
Drastic temperature swings cause construction materials to contract and expand. If you don’t buy new windows and patio doors before winter comes, your old units could shrink or warp due to years of thermal expansion.
- Draftiness
Damaged jambs allow air infiltration. When the wind blows hard during wintertime, you can feel chronic discomfort because of drafts. In addition, these wintry breezes will jack up your energy cost if you respond by firing up your heating equipment to neutralize the chilly air.
- Seal Failure
The sealant that keeps the insulating air between double-pane units where it is can break due to significant thermal expansion. If you don’t get replacement windows before winter, any of your aging units can lose its ability to trap heat inside the house at the worst possible time.
Don’t wait for spring to do window replacement. You may even enjoy unique benefits if you tackle your project around winter.
Call Renewal by Andersen® of Portland at (503) 912-2668 to set up your free consultation in Portland or Wilsonville.
