Old houses have a vintage outlook that makes up their whole appeal. Therefore, replacing an old house’s original windows would only decrease its value.
On the other side, intricate woodwork, hardwood floors, and tucked-away alcoves come at a great price. Owners of old houses are constantly bothered by wind gusts that blow through creaky windows and give the home’s residents an uncomfortable chill.
This enough is a reason to consider replacing or insulating your old windows. High-quality windows that are properly installed can last for decades. But if your windows are getting old and showing signs of malfunction, it’s time to think about replacing them.
In this article, we’ll be looking over five reasons why you would want to replace your old windows.
1. For the Sake of Comfort
Despite their good looks, original wood windows are well-known for their draftiness and the tendency to rattle in their frames as soon as the first breeze blows. Because old houses are not weathertight, indoor comfort levels can largely differ. For example, one side of a room might feel warm, while cold drafts can keep the other side chilly.
There’s a scenario in which you can keep your existing windowpane and solve wind problems. Installing window slips can restore the full operation of your windows while preserving your house’s aesthetics. This will help reduce thermal transfer through the glass and keep your home comfortable.
The installation is done with weather stripping that goes between the sash and the window jamb.
2. To Lower Down Utility Bills
It doesn’t matter whether you’re insulating your home for the first time or you’re looking to refresh your current insulation – fall is arguably the best time of year to complete this process. Insulating your home before winter will help you save money and help protect the environment, as you’ll spend less energy on conditioning the air inside your home.
3. Window Malfunction
Double and single-hung windows in older homes often receive many coats of paint. Over time, the many layers of paint can make it difficult to open the windows. Another reason why your old windows may be hard to open is because of broken cords on the sash weights. What they usually do is allow the windows to open and close smoothly.
4. Outside Noise
It is easy for sound to travel through single panes of glass and the gaps that typically come with old wood windows. Living in a busy area or a major city is often accompanied by unavoidable outside noise. It’s actually possible to get rid of it.
While new windows might not shut the outside noise completely, they can reduce it to bearable decibels. This newfound silence can help you relax easier at home, enhance your sleep, and do miracles to your overall health.
If you’re tired of noisy neighbors, the local train, or simply loud traffic noise, consider installing new windows. You’d be surprised how much quieter your home will become as a result.
5. Improve Your Home’s Appearance
If you live in an older home with older windows, it’s most likely that you’ve encountered most of the issues that we’ve discussed so far. And to make matters worse, your older windows are not only inefficient, but they are also ruining your home’s curb appeal.
A house’s aesthetics can be ruined by the window frame or the way windows were installed in your home. Another option is that the windows themselves could have gotten cloudy and suffered from sun damage throughout the years. Regardless of the reason, if you have old windows, they most likely look outdated, making your home look bad as well.
If you replace your windows, you’ll be improving the overall appearance of your home’s exterior. The best part is that you can even get more sunlight into your home with newer windows, too. This will make your rooms not only brighter but also contribute to your health.
Let a Professional Handle it
Replacing windows is not an easy job, and it’s best done by a professional who has the experience and training to install them properly.
Your biggest factor in hiring a professional is to comply with warranty specifications. In that way, you can feel secure provided that your windows are covered under the manufacturer's warranty should any problems arise.
YourHomeFix can contact you with professionals that will carefully attune to your needs and help you update your home easily and cost-effective.