It’s simple, really—everyone has windows. Large or small, in high-rise buildings or farms in the country, these panes of glass frame your world. It’s easy to forget that they also provide insulation from weather and noise.
Because they do so much for your home, you want to take care of your windows. Sometimes that means replacing them with something new.
Why Replace Windows?
Like every part of your home, windows age. Wood and aluminum window frames deteriorate, seals weaken, and eventually what was once outside is now inside. That means drafts, water, dirt, and noise.
Inviting the elements indoors is not good for your home. Water leads to rot and mold. Drafts make your heating and cooling systems work harder. Dirt pollutes your indoor air. Noise decreases your enjoyment of your home and disrupts your sleep.
Noise is an underappreciated reason to replace windows. It doesn’t matter where you live; outside noises can range from a little aggravating to detrimental to your health. As windows age, they may begin to let in transportation and traffic noise, and even loud conversations.
Even nature can be a problem when the crows decide to caw at 5 a.m. You need windows that allow you to shut out the world when you need peace and quiet.
Windows also age in appearance. Old windows can look cloudy, the frames can look worn, or the style may no longer fit your aesthetic.
You don’t have to wait until someone throws a baseball through your window or it gets hit by a stray meteorite to replace it. Sometimes replacing windows is part of an overall remodel or renovation. Sometimes you’re ready for something different.
And sometimes you just want it to be quiet.
How to Tell When Your Windows Need Replacing
Your windows need replacing when you start experiencing the outdoors from inside. That means drafts in the winter, soggy wooden window frames, damaged aluminum frames, or the realization that you can hear the mailman singing to himself.
Don’t forget that windows in commercial buildings are just as susceptible to the ravages of age as home windows. If your office is drafty and loud, it might be time to check out the windows.
Top 7 Signs Your Windows Need Replacing
Broken Seals
There are other, more specific indications that it’s time to replace a window. Cracked glass, of course, means either a repair or a replacement. But it also breaks the seal in a multi-pane window. A broken seal for any reason reduces the performance of your window.
Fogginess or condensation between the panes is also a signal that the seal is no longer intact.
The space between those panes is supposed to be filled with insulating argon gas. Once the seal breaks and the gas escapes, the window loses its insulating properties. That means more air conditioning and heat loss.
Replacing windows with broken seals or damaged glass with CitiQuiet windows keeps out the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. Your energy bills will go down and your comfort will go up.
Damaged Frames
If a wooden window frame is chipped or soft to the touch, do some further inspecting. It’s likely that water has gotten into the wood and damaged the frame.
A water-damaged frame is likely to have rot, which weakens the structure, can spread to other structural wood. It can also lead to sagging. A damaged frame means it’s time for a new window. Similarly, an aluminum frame can also become damaged over time, and can be a real threat the the structure and insulation of your home or space.
Both broken seals and damaged frames lead to drafts. The cold air you feel in the winter and the warm air seeping in to increase your cooling costs in the summer tax your HVAC systems and raise your bills. CitiQuiet soundproofing windows reduce drafts by up to 90%
Noise
Noise is everywhere. You don’t need it leaking into your home from the outside. An increase in the amount of noise you’re hearing is a good sign it’s time to replace a window.
Don’t underestimate the effect of noise on the enjoyment of your home or your wellbeing. Not only is noise irritating, but it may also lead to cardiovascular problems and disrupted sleep. Disrupted sleep is associated with a variety of negative outcomes, including increased stress, irritability, and even diabetes.
Noise reduction is an important consideration when choosing replacement windows. CitiQuiet soundproof windows reduce noise by up to 95%, helping you get the rest you need and the quiet you want.
Dirt
With drafts comes dirt. If air is getting in around your windows it’s bringing environmental dirt and dust in with it. That dirt not only needs to be cleaned up, but it can also cause decreased indoor air quality.
If you’re noticing more dirt, dust, and other environmental pollutants in your home, your windows may be the culprit. CitiQuiet interior windows eliminate up to 99% of dirt coming in through your current inadequate windows.
Sticking
Are your windows hard to open? Are they hard to close? It might be time for an easy-to-operate window replacement.
Windows can be hard to open and close for several reasons. They could have been hung slightly incorrectly and over time tipped out of balance. A rotting frame can droop or sag, making the window hard to use.
Rusting of springs and locks can also make it hard to operate your windows.
CitiQuiet windows are specifically designed to be easy to open and close, regardless of style.
Broken Locks
Speaking of locks, broken locks is another reason to replace a window. You should feel secure in your home, and that’s hard if you can’t lock your windows. Sometimes a lock can be repaired, other times it’s one of many signs a window needs to be replaced.
Fading Furnishings
Everyone loves the sun shining through the windows on a beautiful day. Your furnishings, however, are likely to feel differently if you have old windows.
Older windows are less likely to block the UV rays that cause fading.
Should You Replace All Windows at Once?
The short answer is that it depends. If all of the windows in your home are the same age and show signs that they need to be replaced, then yes, they can all be replaced at the same time.
However, if you have replaced some windows recently you might not want to replace them again. It’s okay to replace windows as they show signs of age or wear. Be mindful that you want your home to have a consistent appearance, so choose replacement windows that match the style of the windows you intend to keep.
CitiQuiet windows don’t only provide draft-reducing, energy-saving sound reduction. They also blend seamlessly into the existing style of your home’s windows.
Choosing Replacement Windows
Many replacement window companies are vying for your business. CitiQuiet offers its unique soundproof windows for both home and commercial use. Whether you want to replace one window or 50, CitiQuiet has the solutions you need.
Incredibly versatile, CitiQuiet replacement windows are suitable for any style of home or building. They are easy to open and close, provide greatly improved draft and dirt protection, and reduce the noise in your space by up to 95%.
Though originally designed to block city noises like traffic and sirens, CitiQuiet windows are perfect for any environment. Noise pollution exists virtually everywhere, disrupting your sleep and the peace of your home.
It is more difficult to concentrate, relax, and work in an environment with intrusive noise. If you’re working at home you’ve likely noticed intrusive sounds during the day that didn’t bother you before.
You can improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and tranquility of your space by choosing the right replacement windows.
CitiQuiet soundproof windows are an investment in both your home and your wellbeing. Other window systems simply can’t compete in noise reduction. You can transform your home into a tranquil oasis, one that provides the quiet you need to work, study, relax, and sleep in comfort.
Don’t allow noise pollution to decrease your enjoyment of your home. Choose CitiQuiet replacement windows and reclaim your quiet time.
The Bottom Line
All windows age and eventually they allow drafts, water, dirt, and noise in from the outside. There are many ways to tell if a window needs replacing, from broken seals to rotting frames. Aging windows can look bad and lead to higher energy costs.
If you’re considering replacing some or all of the windows in your home, remember that intrusive noise is a problem that can be solved with properly designed and installed windows. Just like drafts and water, the right windows can keep out noise pollution.
Whether you live in a big city with abundant traffic noise or a suburb with barking dogs, CitiQuiet has a replacement window solution that will increase energy efficiency and restore peace and quiet to your interior spaces.
There are plenty of times when you want to open the windows and feel the breeze. But don’t let failing windows make that choice for you. Contact CitiQuiet today to learn how you can drastically reduce intrusive outdoor noise with our soundproof windows.