Category: WIndows

On windy days, do you hear your windows rattling? How about the curtains? Do they sway when a breeze kicks up? Drafty windows can do more than make your home grumble and sigh. They can force your HVAC unit to work harder to keep indoor temperatures comfortable, which in turn can lead to higher utility bills. In fact, the Department of Energy (DOE) recently estimated that drafty windows can cost up to $330 a year in additional heating or cooling costs. That’s enough to send a chill up any homeowner’s spine. But what causes windows to become drafty? And what can be done about it? Here are three common causes of drafty windows.    

Seal Failures

Upon installation, windows are caulked along all seams and edges, and the spaces between the jambs and framing members are filled with insulation. Unfortunately, caulking doesn’t last forever and insulation degrades over time. When this happens (and it will happen eventually) it creates gaps that allow air to pass through. How long your seals last will depend on several factors, including how often you open and close the window (wear and tear), and what kind of climate you live in. Temperature extremes cause windows to contract and expand, which stresses the seals.

Improper Installation

If your new windows are drafty, it’s almost certainly the result of improper installation. As explained above, windows must be properly caulked and insulated if they are to prevent air leakage. The window jamb must also be perfectly aligned within the frame to ensure an airtight fit once the caulking and insulation have been added. This is a precise, multi-step process, and it’s not unheard of for even professional installers to improperly position the frame ever-so-slightly.  

Deteriorated Hardware

Even the simplest window is still a complex piece of machinery, with plenty of parts that must work in conjunction with each other to provide optimal weather protection. It doesn’t take a complete component failure to cause a window to become drafty. Worn-out gaskets, subtle frame warpage, and thinning glazing can allow air infiltration even if the window is still fully functional.       

How to Tell if Your Windows Are Leaking Air

We’ve already mentioned a few of the more obvious indications that your windows are allowing air to infiltrate your home. But more often than not, drafts are subtle, elusive, and hard to detect. A professional energy auditor can conduct a pressurization test using extremely sensitive equipment to find even the smallest leak. There are also a few things you can do on your own that will give you a better idea of the state of your windows. The following techniques work best on windy days:

• Close all windows and doors
• If you have a fireplace flue, shut it
• Turn off any fans in the house
• Light an incense stick and hold it close to the edges of the window or
• Wet your palm and do the same

If your windows are leaking air, the smoke rising from the incense stick will waver. You should also be able to feel a cool sensation across your damp palm. 

What to Do if Your Windows Are Drafty

For a quick and temporary fix, there are several steps you can take to improve your windows’ ability to keep out drafts. V-seal weather stripping can be added along the sashes. Shrink-and-seal films can be added over the window’s inner frame. Even a few daps of carefully applied nail polish can be applied to cracks.

Most of these techniques eliminate the ability to open and close the window, so they are not intended to be a final fix. The surest way to eliminate drafts is to have the old windows replaced with new, energy-efficient ones. At The Window Depot, we are the Tampa Bay area’s premium exterior contractor and offer a variety of impact and non-impact windows from such leading manufacturers as PGT, Simonton, and CWS. If you’re ready to upgrade your home, reach out to us today and schedule a no-obligation consultation. You can also visit our expansive showroom in Palm Harbor to see full-scale mockups of our windows first-hand.

Vinyl replacement windows have come a long way in the decades since they were first introduced. Once considered cheap and unattractive, early vinyl windows were susceptible to temperature extremes and couldn’t match their wooden counterparts in terms of beauty. That’s not the case anymore. Today’s vinyl replacement windows have been upgraded in every way, from new additives that increase vinyl’s resistance to cracking and color fading, to advanced manufacturing techniques that have vastly improved overall quality. Thanks to these advancements, vinyl is now the most popular window material, not only in Florida, but also the rest of the country.

Of course, every window material offers something that makes it an appealing choice for manufacturers and homeowners alike, whether it’s wood, metal, fiberglass, or vinyl. The key to deciding which is right for your home will depend on your priorities, preferences, and budget. Here are five benefits of vinyl windows.      

Durability

Moisture and insect damage are the two major factors that contribute to the degradation of windows, and unlike wood and metal options, vinyl is impervious to both. Vinyl will never rot or swell. That means they’ll continue to function properly for decades. You won’t have to worry about sticking sashes making opening and closing a struggle or impossibility. And termites have no interest in vinyl. What’s more, unlike metal, vinyl will not oxidize or pit over time. Vinyl windows are also impact resistant. And while vinyl does expand and contract in temperature extremes, unless your home routinely reaches temperatures above 165 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s no danger of warpage.

Affordability

When comparing the cost of various window materials, it’s important to remember that each type falls within a range. There are low-cost and premium options in every category, with plenty of overlap. For example, the most expensive vinyl windows will cost more than the least expensive wood windows, but the quality will correspond to the craftsmanship. In other words, you’ll get what you paid for. With that in mind, vinyl is one of the most economical window materials on the market. On average, it’s more affordable than wood, composite, fiberglass, and most aluminum collections. 

Ease of Maintenance

Vinyl windows require very little care to keep them looking great year after year. As previously mentioned, they will never succumb to rot or insect damage, so there will never be a need to make spot repairs. And since the color is infused throughout the frames, there’s not a coating of paint that can chip or crack. In fact, a quick wipe down with a damp cloth should be all that’s required to clean the frames. And here’s a bonus: many double-hung models have sashes that pivot inward to provide easy access to the outside glass. That’s an invaluable plus, especially on upper-story windows.   

Energy Efficient

Unlike metal, vinyl is a poor thermal conductor. And that’s a good thing! It prevents the outside and inside temperature of the frame from quickly equalizing. This, in turn, helps keep the inside of your home warmer or cooler than the ambient outdoor temperature. The thermal performance of vinyl windows can also be further enhanced with options such as insulation-filled frames, warm-edge spacer systems, and triple-pane glass with argon or krypton gas fills. Low-E glass coatings are also a good idea since they block damaging UV rays responsible for color fading in sun-exposed fabrics such as drapes, curtains, and upholstery.

Faster Installation

Vinyl is lightweight and easy to work with. That makes installation generally easier than other window options such as wood and aluminum. When necessary, minor adjustments can be made to ensure a proper fit. With heavier windows, this may require more time and effort. It also increases the chances of something being damaged in the process, either on the new window or the opening it’s being fitted into. Vinyl windows are a little more forgiving when it comes to minor alterations.

If the time has come to replace your windows, the company to turn to in the Tampa Bay area is The Window Depot. We offer a wide selection of premium vinyl windows from PGT, Simonton, and CWS, including high-efficiency and impact-resistant options that will stand strong against the summer heat and extreme storms common in our semi-tropical climate. Contact us today to learn or more. You can also drop by our Palm Harbor showroom or schedule an in-home consultation.

Window condensation is a fairly common occurrence, and one every homeowner has observed at some point. It can range from barely noticeable to covering the entire pane. This can certainly be an annoyance, is it a cause for concern? That depends on where the condensation is. Droplets that form on the inside or outside surface of a window are a result of humidity levels and glass temperature. This type of condensation is harmless. There’s not much that can be done to prevent outside window fogging unless you want to make the temperature inside your home the same as the temperature outside your home. For most people, that’s an extreme solution to a very minor issue. Condensation on the inside of a window is the result of high humidity levels. In colder climates, this is more noticeable in the winter. In southern states, it’s more common in the summer when HVAC units are running 24/7. Investing in a dehumidifier, occasionally opening the windows to release moist air, and upgrading weatherstripping can help reduce inside window condensation. Although condensation on the inside or outside of window glass is nothing to worry about, that’s not the case with condensation inside the windows.

Why Windows Fail

First a caveat. It’s obviously not possible to have between-the-panes condensation with a single-pane window. Everything discussed here applies to double- or triple-pane models. So, what causes condensation inside the glass? It’s a one-two punch of seal failure followed eventually by desiccant saturation. Let’s examine each in a little more detail.

Seal Failure

All double- and triple-pane windows have seals to protect against moisture incursion. In fact, most premium windows have two sets of seals. The inside seal is between the glass panes and the outside seal is between the frame and the sash. These seals are usually made with a flexible caulk that is pliable when first installed. This means they can flex when the window frames expand or contract due to normal daily heating variations, thus preventing gaps from forming. As window seals age, however, they begin to stiffen, which inevitably leads to seal failure. Despite its rather ominous sound, seal failure is not something that greatly affects window performance. At least, not at first. The amount of moisture infiltration is small, and modern windows have a backup component to compensate: desiccant. 

Desiccant Saturation

Window desiccant is an absorbent material installed between the glass. Its purpose is to draw excess moisture from the atmosphere between the panes (in energy-efficient windows, that’s either argon or krypton gas used as fill) and “lock” it away. Desiccant can be in the form of clay, silica gel, or aluminosilicate depending on the type of window, with clay being the least expensive and aluminosilicate the most. Window desiccants can soak up a lot of moisture and usually last for years. But they are not a permanent solution and will become saturated at some point. When this happens, they can no longer prevent condensation from forming inside the glass.

When you take into account both the seals and desiccant, by the time you notice condensation the window’s primary and secondary moisture defense systems have failed. And if the inside seals are broken, chances are the outside seals between the frame and the sash are as well. This can allow moisture inside your house, either in the form of vapor (humidity) or leaks.

How to Eliminate Condensation Between Window Panes

In some cases, between-the-panes condensation can be fixed with a window restoration. This involves removing the glass and recaulking the seals. This process is mostly used on historic windows that are of significant architectural value. For most homeowners, the better option is usually to upgrade the windows entirely with new models that are more energy efficient and easier to operate while requiring minimal maintenance.

At The Window Depot, we are the company to turn to for all your window replacement needs. We proudly offer options from PGT, Simonton, and Custom Window Systems (CWS). If you are a homeowner in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota, or Venice area, we’ll be happy to provide a complimentary consultation to review all of the windows we offer and install. You can also visit our showroom in Palm Harbor to see examples of our models.

Replacement windows are a big undertaking, so it’s perfectly natural for Florida homeowners to want a product that will last as long as possible. Nowadays, there’s no shortage of options – wood, metal, fiberglass, and vinyl windows are four of the most popular, but which ones will stand the test of time? And just as importantly, which ones will require the least amount of upkeep? After all, most homeowners would rather not spend a significant number of hours on maintenance just to extend the life of their windows for a year or two.

Vinyl vs. Wood Windows

First, it’s important to remember that the life expectancy of your new windows will not only depend on what they’re made from, but also the type of weather conditions they’re subjected to. Since Florida has hot, humid summers, mild winters, and frequently turbulent weather, including tropical storms and hurricanes, windows here have to withstand a lot. In our semi-tropical climate, vinyl windows are the best choice for homeowners who want to get the most longevity out of their investment. Unlike wood, vinyl is impervious to moisture and insect damage, so you will never need to worry about it swelling, warping, rotting, or becoming a meal for hungry termites. What’s more, the color in vinyl windows is either baked on or infused throughout the frame, so you’ll never need to repaint or re-stain them. Homeowners can expect 40 or 50 years of dependable performance from high-end vinyl windows. How does that compare to wood-framed windows? With proper maintenance that includes periodic resealing and re-staining, you should expect these types of windows to last about 30 years.

Vinyl vs. Metal Windows

How do vinyl windows do when compared to metal windows? If they’re standard metal windows, very well indeed. Although aluminum doesn’t rot or rust, it is thermally conductive, so heat can easily transfer between the outside and inside of the frame. This makes metal windows less energy efficient than their vinyl counterparts. Aluminum windows are also more vulnerable to dings and dents, which can break the seal between the frame and the pane, further reducing thermal performance. Because of this, the life expectancy of standard metal windows is between 15 and 20 years.

High-performance aluminum windows are a different story. Manufacturers like PGT offer premium aluminum windows that meet or exceed the International Building Code for air infiltration, water resistance, deglazing, forced-entry, and structural integrity. Extruded aluminum frames are more impact resistant than their standard aluminum counterparts. In fact, PGT aluminum windows boast both a Miami-Dated Notice of Acceptance and a Florida Product Approval rating, making them a good alternative to vinyl for homes with more modern stylings. They’re also a popular choice for light commercial properties.

Vinyl vs. Fiberglass

Fiberglass windows have become increasingly popular in recent decades. The durability of fiberglass is comparable to vinyl, so you can expect to get the same number of serviceable years from both. The big difference is cost. Fiberglass windows are more expensive than vinyl, and many brands offer fewer options than you would get from a reputable vinyl window manufacturer. There are also fewer color options with fiberglass. Lastly, fiberglass windows are mechanically fastened to window openings, which makes them more vulnerable to leaks if the sealant isn’t applied with precision. If you opt for fiberglass windows, make sure the company you choose for the installation has the experience to do the job right.

At The Window Depot, we are the home improvement experts in the Tampa Bay area. If you need replacement windows, we offer vinyl and aluminum windows from top manufacturers Simonton and PGT. All of the products we offer will provide decades of beauty and dependable performance. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services, including financing options for qualified customers. You can also drop by our showroom in Palm Harbor to view our windows firsthand.