Window Replacement: 4 Reasons Why This Should Be A Priority

If window replacement isn't high on the list of home remodeling projects, you may want to rethink your priorities. Broken windows are a potential safety risk and health hazard, while older ones can waste energy and even contribute to interior furnishing damage in your home. There are also further financial incentives for upgrading. The government offers tax credits and rebates to qualifying customers who install specific eco-friendly products. If you still aren't convinced, here are four reasons for window replacement.

1. Safety
Broken glass or damaged frames are easy access for burglars. Not only is it an invitation for the intruder to enter your home, but it screams that you're an easy target in the future as well. Most homes that are burglarized are hit repeatedly, and often by the same violator. Someone who doesn't bother with immediate window replacement when needed is unlikely to have any other security measures to prevent a break-in.

In addition to opening your house to thieves, your family, guests, and even pets can be hurt by jagged glass and splintered or weak frames. Taping it up isn't an effective safety measure because broken slivers can still fall to the floor and pierce a crawling or barefoot child. Poor weather can also send moisture and dirt into the home if there is a large enough opening.

2. Energy
Whether it's hot or cold outside, a big hole in your home isn't going to help the matter. Window replacement, whether due to damage or older materials, can greatly cut down on wasted energy. In order to reduce heating and cooling bills, it is recommended to not only get the problem fixed quickly, but to upgrade if necessary. Consider double-paned glass and tinted film to further insulate against inclement weather or the effects of the harsh sun.

3. Health
It may seem like a stretch to say that window replacement can affect your family's health, but small problems can evolve quickly. A significant draft or gaps in the frame can increase moisture and cool air within the home, which is the perfect recipe for mold. Mold growth will not only cause significant rot that can harm the rest of your home and belongings, but it can also make members in the household sick. Headaches, nausea, and sore throat are common symptoms caused by the presence of mold. In addition to causing illness, rot will slowly eat away at your home, which can make it plummet in value.

4. Fade
How well is the interior of your home protected from the harsh effects of glaring sunlight? If you are fortunate enough to live in a sunny environment, leaving your curtains open can actually end up damaging your home and belongings. Harmful UV rays can fade the color of hardwood floors, carpeting, furniture, and even paintings. Discolored spots can develop that are not only unsightly, but can decrease the value of the material or object. Most new windows come with protective tints to prevent this so you can safely let sunlight in.