You know you need to do it. The guy down the street just did it. Your brother-in-law did it last year. So, what are you waiting for? The right time? How do you know when it is time to replace your windows? Replacing your homes windows may seem like such a major job, but it is one that will pay for itself over time. Here are a few things to look for to determine if your windows need replacement.

• Are any of the panes broken, replaced with cardboard, or held together with tape?

Broken windows are not only unsightly, in many areas they are a violation of the IBC (International Building Code), and can lead to fines against your property. Small children can be cut by broken glass, and animals can easily push through a cardboard filler and gain entrance to your home.

• Do you need a pry bar to lift the sash?

Not only is this inconvenient, the problem of sticky windows is a major safety hazard. During an emergency like a fire, the main door may be blocked and a window may be your only path to safety.

• Do you use a wooden spoon to hold the window open in the summer?

Windows that will not stay open by themselves and are propped up can fall and cause injury to anyone close by; glass can shatter because of a free-falling window. Criminals can spot an open window a block away and might consider your house an easy target. Don’t be a victim!

• Are your old double-pane windows cloudy, or filled with moisture?

If the gaseous filling of your older double pane windows has escaped, the space between the two panes will fill with ambient air and is only slightly better than single pane windows. Sometimes these windows get cloudy and are hard to see through.

• Can you feel a draft coming in around the edges?

Carefully hold a candle around the edges of the window, then up and down the frames surrounding each pane of glass. If the candle flickers, drafts you did not notice can be entering or leaving through your windows.

• Do you need a ladder to clean the windows on the second floor?

Many of the windows manufactured today have a ‘tilt-in’ feature, that allows the entire window to be cleaned from inside the house, eliminating the need to climb up a ladder each time a window gets dirty.

• Are your screens missing?

Missing or ill-fitting screens can let disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and house flies in, creating a health hazard to your family.

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then it is defiantly time to consider calling a Northern Virginia window replacement company to schedule a meeting with their experts.

More heat is lost through your windows in the winter, and most of your cooling energy loss in the summer goes out the windows. If you have old style single-pane units, you really are throwing money out of the window. Windows manufactured today are the most energy efficient ever and will give your home the face lift it deserves.

If you are considering selling your home, replacing the windows now will mean you can justify a higher selling price later. Homes with a heightened ‘curb appeal’ are usually on the market for shorter periods of time than homes with old windows.

Remember Camille, Hazel, or Isabel? Northern Virginia has had its share of Hurricanes. Are your windows ready for the next ‘big one’? Home improvement companies can install newer, stronger windows that will keep your family save when the winds begin to blow. By installing now, you can be ready when the temperatures start to soar this summer.

By now, you have a pretty good idea about whether or not you need to replace your old windows. Ask around, and you will find the most trusted Northern Virginia window replacement contractor. While you’re at it, take a look at your old siding, roofing and doors. Are they in need of repair or replacement? Any home improvement contractors can handle whatever upgrade you may have in mind. Remember, any home improvement you make today will add beauty now, and resale value in the future.