When it comes to the replacement of specific features in a house, proper timing matters a lot, especially when matters of comfort and finance will be affected. But to start, how do you even know when it’s time to replace your windows? If you feel hot or cold air escaping when you stand near one of your windows, commonly referred to as drafts, it’s the first telltale sign that it’s time to replace or consider repairing your windows. Another clue to watch out for is an increasing difficulty in opening or closing your windows.
How old your windows are matters a great deal. If your windows are older than 20 years, then their efficiency is significantly lower than newer windows. A lack of adequate, or any, noise insulation from your windows is also high up in this list. Whether you decide to replace your windows with a focus on the hot summer or the cold winter depends on several factors that you should evaluate before arriving at a decision. The extremities of the two seasons offer many advantages and disadvantages that one should be aware of for replacement windows.
For families looking to travel during the harsh cold winters, impact-resistant glass is available with the newer windows. This feature offers homeowners added security from break-ins when you’re on a winter vacation with your family. Safeguarding your house and all your valuables has been made much easier and affordable. Just by installing these new windows, your mind will rest easy, knowing that your property is safe even when you are busy globetrotting.
It is prudent to mention that bad weather is a huge factor to consider when deciding to have your windows replaced in the winter. Heavy rain will most likely delay the team’s ability to install the windows. Thus, taking advantage of the warmer summer days will help you beat bad weather and ensure household comfort, especially when the culprit windows were already causing inconveniences.
Summer is often associated with spending more time outdoors, enjoying every minute of the sun while it lasts. Children, adults, and pets alike are all typically outside, keeping themselves busy with various activities. If, for instance, a ball or any other object lands on your old windows, the possibility of cracking or even breaking altogether is very high.
On the other hand, newer windows are less susceptible to cracking and breaking as they have a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sandwiched between laminated glass panes. This layer ensures that the glass shatters harmlessly instead of fragmenting into dangerous shards that pose a threat to anyone who happens to be near the window when it breaks.
At one point, we have all witnessed faded furniture, a typical result of exposure to direct sun rays without insulation. Newer windows have an added feature called Suncoat that ensures harmful UV rays do not get into your house. This feature does not hamper the amount of light or heat that gets into the house, it only sieves out the UV rays that are harmful to you and your furniture.
A thin coating of Suncoat is applied on one side of the glass to reflect direct harsh sun rays away as well as improving thermal comfort substantially. This is an excellent factor to consider when replacing your windows in the summer as the long-term savings on having to replace most of your furniture is eliminated. Noise from outside is also filtered out thanks to the multi-pane structure of these new windows. Noise-free afternoons that are perfect for siestas are made even more comfortable with this characteristic. Having an expert check on your windows to assess the possible defects and their severity will also help you decide what season is best to have them fixed.
A delay in window replacement, especially in the winter, may lead to damaged walls and furniture, especially if the problem is mainly leaky windows. The leaking defect may not be as dire during summer, therefore affecting your decision on when to install.
Effects of Temperature on Caulking and Windows
Caulk is a material used to seal joints or seams against leakage in various structural elements, including windows. Successful caulking is possible at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is never good practice to apply the caulk in extremely cold or hot weather. By using caulk on a joint in the middle of the recommended temperature range expected for your area, you will minimize the overall stress applied to the caulk as a result of thermal changes.
In freezing weather, there is always a chance that micro-crystals of ice may be present on the joint surfaces. This difficulty in detecting frost could lead to poor adhesion and failure even for solvent-based sealants. Some people argue that you can solve this problem by merely warming the adhesive and getting it to a suitable warm temperature during the cold season. However, this theory remains unproven. It is, therefore, not advisable for you to try it.
On the other hand, when you choose to replace your windows during hot seasons, there is an augmented risk that solvents could evaporate too quickly, especially the volatile ones that are a part of the sealant’s formula. This can then result in blistering or bubbling of the sealant, particularly at the bond line, leading to an impairment in adhesion.
Ensuring that you replace your windows at the beginning of both winter and summer before temperatures become too extreme is the wisest decision you can make. If you replace your windows during extreme temperatures, make sure your contractor checks on them when the temperatures are back to normal. This will help ensure that there is proper curing of the sealant, thus reducing the chances of cracks or any other defects arising.
Having a rough idea of how long the window replacement process may take certainly plays a role in deciding what season is best to perform the replacement. Unfortunately, this decision is just the beginning of the groundwork. Some argue that during winter, you see and experience the actual condition of your windows, from leaks to drafts. These defects are glaringly visible due to contraction as the weather is much cooler. When you identify such problems, it becomes easier for you to plan accordingly and schedule a replacement date for the specific windows that have the defects. This helps save costs of replacing all windows at once since you can do so only when necessary.
For those whose primary concern is the unforgiving cold, it is essential to note that all professional contractors replace one window at a time. At no given time will you have more than one window missing in your house, eliminating the possibility of bringing unnecessary cold into your home. Drawing curtains and shutting doors of rooms where the replacement is happening ensures that you minimize heat loss during winter. Professional window contractors have also established ways to make window replacement a smooth and enjoyable experience without inconveniencing their clients.
If you have older windows or defective ones, enjoying lower heating costs during the winter can be the best incentive you have been waiting to hear about to sway you to replace your windows during the winter. Your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling) unit may be working overtime because of a draft or because your windows are not efficient. By changing your windows to modern double or triple pane variants, you’ll immediately notice the difference. Your home’s thermal comfort will be drastically improved, reducing the long-term strain on your budget for heating and cooling. A spacer placed between these dual or triple glass panes also affects insulation, thus helping to keep heat inside the house rather than losing it to the cold outdoor environment.
This feature works simultaneously with a thin coating applied to one side of the glass to reflect heat inwards. US Window & Door works with the best San Diego window replacement manufacturers and installers who will go a step further to ensure thermal comfort by adding an inert gas between the glass layers in the window. Argon and krypton are examples of these invisible and non-toxic gasses that work to slow the movement of heat through your windows. These key features were developed to provide clients with more consistent temperatures all-year-round for maximum comfort and energy savings.
Availability of Installers
Let’s tackle availability in terms of time allocation and flexibility of schedules. A vast majority of homeowners prefer replacing their windows in summer. This timing, in turn, leads to a scarcity in the availability of window contractors during that season. Most of them even charge considerably higher premiums for their time and services as they are in high demand.
A significant number of contractors are more available during the winter season than summer as most of them would like to avoid interruptions in their holiday schedule. Although most clients overlook this factor, you’d be surprised by how many people take their summer breaks seriously.
Your availability as the client is also a key factor when deciding when to schedule your window replacements.
The availability of installers also makes for shorter installation time as they can work on your house alone without having to go back and forth between other projects.
The free time during winter allows full concentration on one project before moving on to the next. Many clients have noted that most window contractors are more attentive to detail during the winter when they can dedicate more time to a project. They are supposedly more likely to offer more valuable advice on how to take care of your windows. Some would even offer to inspect other windows of your house that may not need replacement and help point out defects, if any.
Unfortunately, the most significant disadvantage with window replacements during winter is terrible weather. The bad weather can, in most situations, physically impede the contractor from getting to your house, making them unavailable. This hurdle will, in turn, result in unexpected (and unwelcome) delays.
Pricing Fluctuations
Lower demand makes the cost of labor significantly more affordable in any service-oriented industry. You can thank the law of demand and supply for this. The more need for a service or increase in commodity, the higher the price, proportionately. This, therefore, applies when it comes to window replacements as well. You are more likely to score a good deal as companies are looking to ramp up work.
Besides, during winter seasons, most companies offer promotions and deals to attract clients if they are becoming more available. When contractors are less busy, flexibility in time and of scheduling dates for replacements is higher. This means that the project is likely to run according to your schedule rather than the contractor’s. For people with tight schedules, this is a great bonus and definitely worth the wait. For these reasons, having your windows replaced in the winter may be better for you financially than during the summer, and who wouldn’t want that?
Final Thoughts
If money is a significant factor, winter may be the ideal time to replace your windows. Whenever you decide to schedule your project, ensure that you work with the best window replacement San Diego has to offer. Working with a trustworthy company is crucial in ensuring that you savor your investment in all the coming seasons for years to come. Having energy-efficient windows is the ideal end goal for any developer or homeowner. The earlier you decide to enhance your home with this excellent feature, the sooner you and your loved ones can enjoy a better quality of life.
How you schedule your project should solely be based on your personal preference. As a side note, new and replaced windows often offer much better returns on your home’s resale value. If you’re a developer, then window installation San Diego is the way to go, as the investment is well worth the returns. Whether you’re considering upgrading your old windows or building your dream home, get in touch with US Window & Door today to learn how our products can transform your San Diego home into a sanctuary of comfort, beauty, and efficiency.
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