Window replacement: when it's time and what to look for

Signs it may be time to replace

Windows rarely fail all at once. More often, small problems add up until the house is less comfortable and the windows are a chore to use. If several of these sound familiar, it is worth having your windows looked at.

• Drafts you can feel near closed windows on a cold or windy day
• Fog or moisture between the panes of glass, which means the seal has failed
• Heavy frost or condensation on the inside of the glass in winter
• Sashes that stick, will not stay open or will not lock
• Soft, rotted or cracked frames and sills
• Outside noise that comes through more than it should
• Rooms that are noticeably colder or warmer than the rest of the house

Energy performance: what the labels mean

Most new windows carry a label from the National Fenestration Rating Council, the NFRC, that lists how the window performs. Two numbers matter most in a cold climate. The U-factor measures how much heat escapes through the window: the lower the number, the better the window insulates. The solar heat gain coefficient measures how much of the sun's heat comes through: a higher number lets in more free warmth in winter, a lower one keeps rooms cooler in summer.

ENERGY STAR certification is another quick check. Its requirements are set by climate zone, so look for windows certified for the northern zone, which covers Minnesota and Wisconsin. Features like double or triple panes, low-emissivity coatings and gas fills between the panes all help a window insulate, and the NFRC label sums up how the whole window performs.

Common window styles

• Double-hung: two sashes that slide up and down, a classic look that is easy to clean when the sashes tilt in.
• Casement: hinged on the side and opened with a crank, with a tight seal when closed and good airflow when open.
• Sliding: one or two sashes slide sideways, a simple choice for wide openings.
• Awning: hinged at the top and opens outward, so it can stay open in light rain.
• Picture: a fixed window that does not open, used for views and light.
• Bay and bow: several windows set at angles that project from the wall, adding light and space.

Brands and installation

Omega Exteriors offers windows from brands including Marvin, Thermotech and Pella, in a range of styles. A good window is only as good as its installation, though. Gaps around the frame that are not insulated and sealed, or flashing that does not shed water, can undo the performance printed on the label.

Ask how the old windows will be removed, how the new ones will be insulated and sealed, and how the trim inside and out will be finished. If the frames around your old windows are rotted, they may need to be replaced along with the window rather than covered over.

Questions to ask before you replace

• Are you replacing a few problem windows or the whole house?
• Which rooms face the sun, the wind or the street noise?
• Do you want the same style, or a different style that opens differently?
• Are the existing frames solid, or do they need replacing too?
• How will the installation be insulated, flashed and trimmed?

Get a window inspection

Omega Exteriors offers a free window inspection that looks at the condition of your current windows and what could be improved or repaired. It provides window replacement, window installation and residential windows, as well as multi-family and HOA windows. Call (651) 998-8500 or request a free estimate.