Skip to content

How to Tell When It’s Time to Replace Your Windows

March 6, 2025

Windows tend to be one of those things that you don't give much thought to when it comes to your home. They're more of a long-term feature that we can forget about until they get really bad. To help you determine when it's best to replace your windows, we're going to share with you some of the top signs that they've reached the end of their lifespans.

Aged Windows

One of the first signs that your home needs window replacement service is that your windows more than 20 years old. Over the decades, windows have become more and more efficient. If you're still relying on windows that are over a couple of decades old, their ability to prevent heat transfer is very minimal compared to what it could be with modern-day windows.

Functionality Change

One reason that you may consider upgrading a window or multiple windows in your home is that you want them to have a different function. Maybe you want to turn that picture window into a slider window that provides more ventilation for your home. Or, maybe there's a double-hung window that would be better as a picture window. Maybe you have a picture window that would function better as a bay window.

Visible Damage

Another reason that you may need to upgrade the windows in your home is that your existing ones have physical damage. This could be a crack down the center of the glass or the gas inside both panels may have been released and there's a white film inside your windows. Whatever the problem may be, it's important to upgrade your windows to enhance their efficiency and usability.

Not Usable

If you notice that your existing windows seem to becoming less and less functional, it can create a real problem. As windows shift as they age, they can start to stick when they open and eventually, they may fail to open altogether. Getting new windows for your home is a great way to help restore that functionality.

Hearing Outside Noises

If you recently walked into a newer home, you may notice that there's not a whole lot of outside noise that penetrates in. You may sit in your home and you can hear cars go by or it sounds like your neighbor is mowing right next to your window. If so, it's likely that your windows are letting unnecessary outside noise into your home. This is pretty common for older homes that have single-pane windows. Upgrading to new windows can allow you to take advantage of double or even triple-pane windows that can greatly help to reduce the amount of outside noise that penetrates your home.

Drafty

Another reason you may want to consider replacing your home's windows is that they're very drafty. Drafty windows can allow outside air to penetrate your home and alter its internal temperature. Furthermore, it can allow unnecessary humidity to enter your home which can make it overly sticky and hot during the summer months. Drafty windows have been shown to increase heating and cooling costs throughout the year by up to 20%.

Getting Renovations

One reason that you may want to replace a window or two in your home is that you're renovating the room. Any time that you're going to be upgrading a part of your home, it only makes sense to install new features to help ensure that everything installed is of the same age. You can even take advantage of purchasing windows with a different style or color to better match the renovation design that you're going for.

Hard to Maintain

The windows in your home should be fairly easy for you to maintain and upkeep. If you notice that your windows have taken on a yellowish color and you can't get them back to the white original color that they were, you may want to upgrade. Additionally, you might struggle to clean your second-story windows because they don't fold in when you need them to. If so, you may want to consider upgrading to double-hung windows that allow you better access for cleaning.

Selling Your House

Windows are by far one of the best investments that you can make for your home when it comes to getting a return from them. If you're thinking about selling your home in the near future, you may want to consider upgrading all your windows. This can help to increase the curb appeal of your home and ensure that you get a high sale price from potential buyers.

Condensation

Condensation on the inside of your window means that your windows are leaking and allowing humid air to come inside. If you happen to notice condensation in between the panes of glass in your window, it means that the air seal has broken. All of these are signs that your windows are no longer being effective at being an insulating barrier for your home.

Excessive Carpet Fading

One distinctive problem that you're going to notice as a result of windows that need to be replaced is the excessive fading of your carpet and furniture. Many older windows don't have the same technology as modern-day windows. Newer windows have low-E glass that's treated with a special substance to help prevent UV radiation from penetrating in through your windows. This helps to prevent any fading of your interior items like carpeting and furniture.

Boosting Your Home's Curb Appeal

One reason that you may want to consider upgrading your old windows is that you want to boost the overall curb appeal of your home. Windows are one of those investments that can have a very great return when it comes to making a world of difference and how your home looks. Newer windows can provide a more modern touch, or you can opt for specialized windows that offer a unique design, like a farmhouse.

Spongy Wooden Frame

Wooden framed windows were very popular for their distinctive timeless look. However, wooden framed windows are very labor intensive when it comes to maintaining them. If your window isn't properly maintained, it can have moisture that penetrates inside of the wood and starts rotting it out. If your wooden windows have taken on a spongy feel, it's a key indication that they're rotting internally and are soon no longer going to work.

Water Leakage

One very obvious sign that you need to upgrade the windows in your home is that you're noticing water coming in whenever there's precipitation outside. Your window should be specifically designed to shut out all the outdoor weather. It's important to replace your windows as soon as you notice this problem as water can cause an extensive amount of damage to your home in a pretty short amount of time.

Expert Window Replacement Service

Rise Renovation offers expert window replacement service in the Denver, CO community. We can also assist by installing bay, casement, double-hung, slider, and many other styles of windows. Just give our friendly office staff a call today to learn about how we can assist you.