A home’s windows are important in terms of safety, curb appeal, energy efficiency, comfort, and more. If they are outdated, damaged, poorly installed, or just not performing up to par, it’s time to replace your windows.

Quality replacement windows that are installed properly are well worth the investment. Not only does heating and cooling efficiency improve, but you will also be saving yourself and your family from numerous headaches. Here are several reasons to replace your windows:

1. Cracked Windows Are a Security Issue

There are many causes of window cracks and cracked window panes are a security issue for your home. Regardless of how your window sustained that damage, it’s important to get it replaced as soon as possible.

Plus, when window panes crack, that damage can easily spread and worsen. Daily temperature fluctuations can cause pressure to expand and contract, which can make a crack spread or lead to a window pane breaking altogether.

Additionally, a crack in your window is a major source of air leaks. You might even hear the wind whistling through it, which is one of the house sounds you should never ignore. This affects the comfort in your home, overall energy efficiency, and your wallet by causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder. This is why replacing windows when needed is one of the top home security tips to help protect your home.

2. Outdated Windows Could Have Harmful Materials

You can’t really control conditions outside, but you want to keep your family safe. If you have older windows, you may unknowingly be subjecting yourself and your family to hazardous materials like lead.

Before people knew the dangers of lead, lead-based paint was commonly applied in homes. Now, we know that exposure to lead can cause problems in the brain and central nervous system; it is especially dangerous to children.

Although most people know lead is poisonous, not enough attention is paid to the problem of lead in the environment. According to the World Health Organization, lead exposure is the cause of roughly 600,000 children developing intellectual disabilities each year worldwide.

So, how old must your windows be for lead to be a concern? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if your home was built before 1978, there’s a good chance lead paint was used. Lead paint can disintegrate, creating lead-contaminated dust, which is dangerous to both humans and animals.

If your windows are old, investing in quality replacement windows can serve several purposes at once. You’ll get rid of toxic materials, increase the energy efficiency of your home, and add value to your home. It’s a win-win-win.

3. Old Windows Can Lead to Moisture and Water Damage

Old, outdated, damaged, or poorly installed windows do not insulate or seal well, which can let in moisture and lead to water damage. This is also one of the top ways poor installation damages your home. This is a big issue because, often, where there’s moisture in a home, there’s mold.

Moisture Issues Lead to Water Damage and Mold

There are many different kinds of mold, but you want none of them in your house. One thing that makes mold a particularly pernicious problem is that its spores can be present in the air inside your home, and even part of the dust, that you might breathe.

Risks of Mold Exposure

Mold exposure can result in irritation, allergies, or even poisoning in anyone. Mold is especially a concern if anyone in your house has allergies, asthma, or a compromised immune system. Infants and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Symptoms of mold exposure include nasal and sinus congestion, respiratory problems, cough, throat irritation, and sneezing. It can also heighten the effects of chronic illnesses like asthma.

Mold is dangerous because many people who have it in their homes may be suffering as a result and don’t even know why. It often grows in the walls of homes, unnoticed, and can even do structural damage to a house if left to thrive.

The Right Repairs Remove the Issue and Prevent it

Symptoms of mold exposure, visible water damage, and more are all signs you might have mold behind the walls. If you see or experience any of these, it’s important to check things out, remove the issue, and do the necessary repairs needed to prevent it from happening again. This can help you protect your home from water damage and the further issues it can cause.

4. Quality Replacement Windows More Than Pay For Themselves

Properly installed, high-quality replacement windows last a long time and more than pay for themselves. In fact, when you replace your windows, you’re completing one of the home improvement projects with the highest ROI.

Plus, the process is easy and stress-free with Zephyr Thomas. This is something to look for when you are trying to choose the best window replacement company for your project. Our technicians install the windows for you and, for many years to come, you can sit back and enjoy your virtually maintenance-free new windows that are designed for style, ease of operation, and durability.

These are all benefits of professional window installation that make it well worth the investment for your home. Take a look at our team replacing windows for this homeowner!

5. New Windows Can Reduce Your Energy Costs

Windows and doors are responsible for about 25-30% of total heat gain and loss in residential heating and cooling energy use. One of the common reasons to replace your windows, and one of the biggest benefits of doing so, is that new windows can reduce your energy costs. These benefits only increase when you opt for energy-efficient window options and upgrades.

New Windows Mean a More Energy-Efficient Home

Not only could you be eligible for rebates that return savings directly to your wallet, but your home will also be more energy-efficient as well. Better-insulated windows don’t let air in and out, which makes your heating and cooling system more effective and can save you money on your energy bills over time. These are all things to consider when you are trying to choose the best windows for your home.

New Windows Can Help Save on Oil or Gas Heating Costs

If your home uses oil or gas for heat, heating a home in the winter can consume about as much energy as running a car for an entire year! On top of that, it can get expensive quickly, especially when oil prices increase and if inefficient windows, doors, etc. are contributing to energy loss.

By replacing old, single-pane windows and storm windows with new vinyl double-pane or triple-pane windows in a two-story, 2,000 square-foot house, you could save the equivalent of about 100 gallons of gasoline. Not only does this mean energy savings for you, but it could also potentially save over 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year!

Aspect Series Replacement Windows Are a Good Start

Zephyr Thomas Aspect Series vinyl replacement windows are equipped with the latest technological solutions to protect your home from the intrusions of heat, cold, and moisture. The advanced thermal insulation in your new windows will allow you to stop worrying about those drafts draining your wallet.

6. They Tend to be More Environmentally Friendly

You turn off the lights when you leave a room; maybe you unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Even with those measures, almost 20% of our carbon footprint comes from heating, cooling, and powering our homes. Installing better windows can also be an environmentally friendly, energy-saving measure.

Anytime you save energy, you’re saving resources that were costly and perhaps harmful to produce. New, high-quality insulated windows will allow you to conserve these resources, which reduces your carbon footprint.

7. You’re Planning to Sell Your Home

Because new windows offer such a big return on ROI, it’s generally a good idea to replace your windows before selling your home. There are some things to consider and it will depend on the state of your current windows, but new windows add value to your home and increase curb appeal.

Not only could this result in being able to sell at a higher price point, but it is also attractive to potential buyers. Plus, you can avoid window-related issues that might become a problem for you in later inspections.

8. Mixed Styles Can Hurt Your Curb Appeal and Home Value

It’s common for homeowners to replace a window or two at a time and to do so on an as-needed basis. Although this may seem like an economical decision at first, it can result in a mix of window styles that don’t match if it’s not handled correctly. This is one of the window replacement mistakes to avoid.

If this is the case, the mismatched styles can make your home design look off. This can hurt your curb appeal and decrease your home’s value. As such, if your windows are currently a mix of styles that don’t work together, a whole-home window replacement can help you match styles accordingly and get your home looking the way it should. Being able to get windows in the style you want is one of the ways replacement windows can help you get your dream home.

9. New Windows Can Help Protect Your Belongings

In addition to all of the other benefits of new windows, they can also help protect and extend the life of your belongings. UV rays from the sun coming in through your windows can cause damage, discoloration, and fading to furniture, fabric, artwork, collectibles, carpets, finishes, etc. over time.

Newer windows and glass are manufactured with some UV protection built-in. When you shop for new windows, look for good Visible Transmittance ratings in the thermal performance of the window. This helps block UV rays and helps to prevent fading and damage over time to items within your home. It also makes it safer for you to enjoy natural light from your windows without having to worry about harmful UV rays on your skin.

10. They Can Help Reduce Noise

Compared to single-pane windows, double-pane or triple-pane windows can help reduce noise. The additional panes and insulation provide a better buffer between the interior of your home and the outside of it. Updating your windows and choosing windows with some of these upgrades are some tips for soundproofing windows. This can help reduce the amount of outside noise you can hear inside your home, especially if you opt for some of the types of insulated windows and upgrades available.

Looking over your windows is part of a New Year home maintenance checklist and is important for your home year-round. There are many reasons to replace your windows, and if you see any of them, it’s important to pay attention. If your windows are old or if you can tell they are letting in drafts or not functioning properly in some other way, consider making them one of your home improvement resolutions and replacing them as soon as possible.

For more information on our hassle-free replacement windows, call 717-399-4708 to start your free quote or stop by our showroom to see some window options in person!