Thus far in our spring preparation series, we’ve covered preparing your deck, roof, siding, and gutters for spring. In this installment of the series, our focus is on windows.
In addition to providing your home with light, and a view of the outdoors, windows are an integral part of keeping your home protected from the elements. One way to extend the life of your windows, and ensure they are doing their job efficiently, is inspecting and maintaining them after winter.
To help you prepare your windows for spring, we’re sharing the following seven highly effective tips …
- Check Window Insulation
Insulation has a great effect on the efficiency of your windows, which is why it’s important to make sure your insulation is in good shape. As a windows contractor, we’ve seen many instances where a homeowner’s windows are fine, but the insulation is not, so it’s definitely worthwhile to inspect the insulation yourself or have a professional do so for you. If you do decide to have a professional inspection, please note that you should never have to pay for the inspection. At Legacy, we offer free inspections on any part of the exterior of a home, and we take photos of any issues we find, which makes it easier for us to clearly explain our findings to homeowners. We believe that the peace of mind of a professional inspection shouldn’t come at a price. - Inspect Your Window Frames
Inspecting window frames is another key element in ensuring your windows are in good shape. When you inspect the frames, look for any signs of window panes separating from the frames of your windows. If you see separation, you’re more likely to experience drafts (and higher energy bills). To resolve the issue, one thing you can do is use a sealant to correct the problem. That said, if your windows are old, or you’re seeing other signs of wear-and-tear on your windows, it might be time to consider talking with a windows contractor about replacement windows. If this is something you’re already considering, you might want to learn more about the different types of replacement windows, which include vinyl, wood and fiberglass. - Check Sealant on Window Edges
Speaking of sealant, even if you’re not seeing window pane separation, you may notice that the window sealant itself has started to crack, or simply fall off. If this is the case, resealing is the first course of action we’d recommend. If you do wind up using a sealant on the exterior of your windows, be sure to use a high-quality polymer like caulk or silicone. - Check All Screens
Make sure there are no holes or gashes in your screens. Damage can also happen to sliding door screens that lead out to your backyard (due to animals gnawing at them) — so be sure to check those, too, in addition to all of your window screens. Your window screens are a barrier to insects and debris from entering your home, so make sure they are in working order! In addition to checking window screens, spring is a good time to swap out the storm door glass on your screen door to the screen insert. - Clean Windows & Frames Inside and Out
Cleaning the exterior of your home, including windows, is a great way to keep your home looking good, and also extend the life of your windows and siding. Cleaning the inside of your windows is also recommended to remove accumulated dust and dirt from the winter months. That said, this spring be sure to wipe down window frames and clean the glass, both on the inside and outside of your home. - Inspect Glass for Damage
Window glass can be pretty tough, especially if it’s made by a reputable company like Pella, Marvin, Anderson, or ProVia. That said, we’ve seen windows in the Madison area take damage from the elements — especially in a hail storm, or on an especially windy day where debris is blown around at high speeds. Check for cracks and dings, and if you have any be sure to deal with them ASAP before they worsen … once fall and winter is upon us again, a small crack can expand due to temperature fluctuations. - Lubricate Hinges and Tracks
Although this maintenance tip is an easy one, it’s often overlooked. Lubricate the hinges and tracks of your windows every spring with a quality lubricant. You may want to lubricate every six months to ensure proper functionality of windows. This keeps them well lubricated, and it also keeps the friction to a minimum, which can extend the life of your windows. Just make sure you lubricate hinges and tracks AFTER you clean your windows and remove any debris and dust that may have accumulated on these moving parts over the winter months due to non use.
We hope these tips on how to prepare your windows for spring (and beyond) prove helpful. If you’d like to schedule a complimentary inspection of your windows, or simply have questions, feel free to contact us anytime.
