Your home's windows make a big difference in the appearance of your home, inside and out. Old, dirty, and inefficient windows will make your home look shabby from the outside and will make your home interior not so pleasant with drafts. And when you cannot see out dirty, scratched, or broken windows, the sunlight cannot enter through them either and your home can appear dark and gloomy-looking. Here are some improvement tips you can apply to your home's windows and screens this spring so you can enjoy your view through them to the outside and also let in fresh spring air and sunshine.
Clean Your Screens and Windows
Dirty windows can cause your home to look dirty from the outside and block your inside view. But cleaning them is an easy way to make a dramatic improvement. And don't just clean the inside of your window glass—clean the outside as well.
You will need a bucket of warm soapy water and a window squeegee. Use the squeegee's soft sponge side to soften and loosen up debris on the glass, then use the squeegee to remove the dirty water and suds. Wipe the squeegee clean with a paper towel between each swipe across the glass.
And don't forget to clean the window screens. Your window screens are made of a mesh material, which can vary in size depending on the type of material. The mesh collects dirt and dust to make it harder to see through the openings, limiting your view.
Remove your window screens and use a soft scrub brush with some warm water and dish soap to remove dirt. Rinse them clean with your garden hose and let them air dry. Follow up by vacuuming your windows from the inside of your home to keep the buildup of dirt and dust down.
Replace Old With New, Energy-Efficient Windows
If the condition of your home's windows leaves much to be desired, you might consider replacing them. Windows that are older can be less efficient and allow heat to escape your home in winter and enter your home in summer. Considering your windows can account for 25 to 30 percent of your home's energy loss, it is a good idea to update them when your budget allows for it.
There are many types and styles of energy-efficient windows on the market. For example, you can choose from double-paned and triple-paned glass, windows with a special low-emissivity coating, or windows filled with an inert gas, such as argon or krypton, to reduce heat transfer through your windows. Talk to a local window professional about recommendations for your home.
Spring is an ideal time to replace your home's windows for several reasons. First, the installment professional will need to remove your old windows and prepare the frames before they install the new windows. This process can let cold air into your home if you do it during the winter. Then, when the new windows are installed, a low outside temperature will cause the new window frames to shrink and leave gaps around the frames.
Another reason spring is an ideal time to install new windows has to do with the caulk your window professional will use during their installation. Latex caulk needs to be applied in warmer weather to prevent its freezing and cracking, usually between 40 and 80 degrees F. Outside temperatures warmer than 80 degrees F will cause the caulk to not set up, which makes summer a less-ideal time. If your window professional uses warmed silicone caulk, it will set well in colder weather, but when they apply it onto freezing window frames, the warmed caulk will lose its heat and can crack from the drop in temperature.
Speak with a residential window installation technician to learn more.
Share18 March 2019
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