How Do I Know If My Double-Glazing Needs Replacing?

There Are Noticeable Draughts Around Your Windows

First and foremost, if you’ve noticed that it’s harder to keep your home warm recently than it was in the past, you need to check for draughts around your windows. Draughts that are coming directly from the windows are an indication that the seals around your windows have worn away. Draughts that are coming from the gap between your property’s brickwork and windows are signs the sealants may have started to wear.

Although you could simply replace the weather seal, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to replace your windows completely.

There Are Noticeable Chips or Cracks in the Windowpane

A rather obvious sign that there’s something wrong with your double-glazing windows, but one that’s worth highlighting is if there are noticeable signs of wear and tear. Especially if there are chips or cracks in the actual pane of glass. In this situation, unless you want to deal with draughts, leaks or even just condensation on a regular basis, the only real solution you have is to replace them.

You Have the Irritating Problem of Condensation

Condensation is more than just an inconvenience it’s the process of vapour or gas transforming into liquid. When the temperature of glass, for example, falls below what is known as the dew point temperature of the air in the surrounding area, the water vapour found in that air transforms or condenses into those droplets of water on the surface we all get annoyed with.

Based on the water vapour present in the atmosphere, the dew point alters. When conditions are muggy, condensation will occur at much higher temperatures, whereas in colder conditions, condensation will occur even if the atmosphere has levels of humidity.

When condensation forms in the space between the sheets of glazing in your windows, this is more than just a minor issue. It is a sign that the seal for those two sheets of glass has developed a leak. Thus, meaning the gas cavity is no longer sealed between the two panes.

When this happens, it’s crucial you have your double-glazed windows replaced immediately.

Your Windows Have Water Leaking In

The very purpose of windows is to keep the weather conditions on the outside of your property. Therefore, when you have water leaking in through the window frames of your property, it’s a sign there could be a problem with the weather seal. If you know it’s not the seal, then it means there might be a blockage in the drainage section.

If your windows are old or approaching the 15 to 20 years mark of their life, it is unlikely to be a cost-effective solution to simply try and repair them. Instead, you must have them completely replaced.

Your Energy Bills Have Been Increasing

Another, more obvious sign of double-glazing problems is if your utility bills have increased noticeably. As windows are designed to keep the heat in and the cold air out, when you find you are using your central heating or additional heaters and this is impacting your bills, you must check your windows to see if they are the reason.

Difficulty Using Windows

Another fairly obvious, but important sign you need to replace your double-glazing windows is if they are not functioning properly. Windows are designed to open and close smoothly, without much force needing to be exerted. When this is no longer the case, it is not only a nuisance, but presents you with safety problems. If you need to escape your property because of a fire etc and the window fails to open, the cost could be far dearer than the price of replacing them.