7 Signs Your Windows May Not Be Ready for Another Oklahoma Winter
Oklahoma winters have a way of exposing problems with windows that aren’t nearly as noticeable during the rest of the year.
A window might look perfectly fine from across the room. Then a cold north wind arrives and suddenly you’re feeling air around the frame, the bedroom is colder than the hallway, or you’re noticing condensation where you didn’t see it before.
So how do you know whether your windows are ready for another winter?
Here are seven things Oklahoma homeowners should watch for.
1. You Can Feel a Draft Around the Window
This is probably the most obvious warning sign.
Stand near your windows on a windy day. If you can feel cold air entering around the sash or frame, something isn’t sealing properly.
The problem could be worn weatherstripping, an installation issue, deterioration around the opening or simply an older window that no longer seals the way it once did.
Drafty windows don’t automatically mean every window in your home needs replacement, but they are worth investigating before winter.
2. Certain Rooms Are Always Colder
Do you have one bedroom that is always colder than the rest of the house?
The windows could be contributing to the problem.
Older windows can allow more heat transfer through the glass and frame. Air leakage around poorly sealed windows can make the problem even worse.
This is especially noticeable during Oklahoma’s cold and windy winter days.
If your heating system seems to be doing its job but certain areas of your home remain uncomfortable, take a closer look at the windows in those rooms.
3. There’s Fog or Moisture Between the Glass
A little condensation on the interior surface of a window doesn’t necessarily mean the window has failed. Indoor humidity, outdoor temperatures and other factors can contribute to condensation.
Moisture between the panes is different.
If you see fog, haze or moisture trapped inside an insulated glass unit, the seal may have failed.
Once that happens, the window may no longer be performing as originally intended.
If several windows in your home have fogged glass, it may be time to compare the cost and benefits of repair versus replacement.
4. Your Windows Are Difficult to Open, Close or Lock
Windows should operate correctly.
If you’re fighting with a window every time you try to close it, something isn’t right.
Older windows can become difficult to operate because of worn hardware, damaged balances, warped components, settling or deterioration.
A window that doesn’t close completely can also have difficulty creating a tight seal.
And there’s another consideration: your windows aren’t just about energy efficiency. Proper operation is important for security and, depending on the location of the window, emergency egress.
Don’t ignore windows that no longer operate properly.
5. You Have Older Single-Pane Windows
There are still plenty of homes throughout Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma with older single-pane windows.
If that’s your home, you’ll probably notice the difference when you stand next to the glass during extreme temperatures.
Modern replacement windows can offer insulated glass systems, Low-E coatings and other energy-efficient features that weren’t available on many older windows.
That doesn’t mean every homeowner needs the most expensive glass package available.
The right window should be matched to the house, the opening, your goals and your budget.
6. You See Deterioration Around the Frame
Take a few minutes and actually look closely at your windows.
Check the frame, trim, caulking and surrounding areas.
On older wood windows, look for deterioration, soft spots, peeling paint or signs that moisture has been getting into the material.
Also look for cracked or missing caulk around the exterior.
Sometimes the problem isn’t obvious until someone takes a close look.
Finding these issues in September or October is a lot better than discovering them during freezing temperatures.
7. Your Windows Were Uncomfortable Last Winter
This may be the simplest test of all.
Think back to last winter.
Did you avoid sitting next to certain windows?
Did you close curtains because you could feel cold coming off the glass?
Did you notice drafts when Oklahoma’s north winds picked up?
Were you constantly adjusting the thermostat trying to make certain rooms comfortable?
If the answer is yes, there’s a good chance you’ll experience the same thing again this winter.
Windows generally don’t improve with age.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until Winter to Call
If you’re considering window replacement, keep in mind that there’s more involved than simply choosing a window and scheduling installation.
Your windows need to be measured. Products and options need to be selected. The windows need to be ordered and manufactured, and then installation needs to be scheduled.
That process takes time.
Waiting until the first major cold front arrives could mean spending part of another winter with the same windows you’re already unhappy with.
Starting earlier gives you time to make an informed decision.
The Installation Is Just as Important as the Window
Homeowners understandably spend a lot of time comparing window brands, glass packages and energy-efficiency ratings.
Those things matter.
But don’t overlook installation.
Even a high-quality replacement window can underperform if it isn’t measured, installed, insulated and sealed correctly.
When comparing window replacement companies in Tulsa, don’t simply ask, “What window do you sell?”
Ask how the windows will be installed.
Ask what’s included in the estimate.
Ask about the warranty.
And make sure you understand the final price before agreeing to the project.
Need Someone to Look at Your Windows?
Green Country Windows provides residential window replacement and professional window installation throughout Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma, including Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, Bixby, Claremore and surrounding communities.
We believe homeowners deserve straightforward answers about their windows without gimmicks or high-pressure sales tactics.
If your windows are drafty, fogged, difficult to operate or simply aren’t performing like they should, we’ll help you understand your options.
And if you’re hoping to have new windows installed before the colder part of the Oklahoma winter arrives, now is the time to start planning.
Contact Green Country Windows to schedule your free in-home window estimate.
Quality Windows. Priced Right.