How do I know if my double-glazing needs replacing?

Double glazing, no matter how well made, can’t last forever. Like everything in life, it has a shelf life, even when sourced from leading companies and installed by professionals. In general, double glazing will last between 15 and 20 years on average.

How long your double glazing actually lasts before it needs replacing will depend on a variety of factors including the materials used on the product, how well you care for it and the weather conditions.

If you have double glazed windows and doors installed in your property, you need to be aware that they may need to be replaced. If left, there can be a number of significant impacts including how much it costs to run your home. Luckily, you don’t need to rely on guesswork as there are a number of crucial signs which will let you know that your double glazing needs replacing.

Are There Draughts?

One of the key signs that your double glazing needs replacing is that your home is harder to keep warm. Older windows and doors can get draughty because the seals around the double glazing have worn away. Draughts will come through the gaps in the brickwork of your home and the sealants will naturally wear away over time.

Although you can simply replace the weather seal, it may be more cost-effective in the long run to replace your double glazing completely. Draughts won’t just make your home colder but the warmth generated by your central heating will also be wasted.

Chips Or Cracks In The Window Pane

An obvious sign that any homeowner can spot that their double glazed need replacing is chips and cracks. These are obvious to the naked eye and can really compromise the look of a building.

Chips or cracks in a double glazed window pane can cause leaks, draughts and even condensation. There is no real way to rectify this problem other than to replace your window or door. Chips and cracks will only get worse over time.

Rise of Condensation

Condensation is more than just an inconvenience, it can be detrimental to your home and to your health. Condensation is the process of a vapour or gas transforming into liquid. When the temperature of glass falls below the dew point temperature of the surrounding air, the water vapour in that air will turn into droplets of water called condensation.

Condensation happens in humid heat and cold conditions. It may seem like a minor issue, but it’s actually a sign that the seal between the two sheets of double glazing has developed a leak. It means the gas cavity is no longer sealed in-between the two panes.

In small amounts, most people should be okay, but if the condensation is allowed to build up in your home and mould begins to form, it may cause health issues. This is why it’s important when condensation becomes a minor problem that you resolve it before it becomes a bigger and more costly issue.

Water Leaks

A key role double glazing plays is keeping adverse weather conditions outside where they belong. Water leaking through your double glazing into your home is a sign that there could be a problem with the weather seals. It could also mean there is a blockage in the drainage section of your product.

If your double glazing is leaking extensively, or is over ten years old, repairing the damage is unlikely to be cost effective. It will be better value and hassle free to replace your double glazed product.

Higher Energy Bills

With bills on the rise, it’s important that your double glazing helps your home to retain heat. If your utility bills have noticeably increased, high quality and high performing double glazing will keep the heat in and the cold air out. If this isn’t the case, you may need to invest in a replacement.

If you find that you are using your central heating or additional heaters more, this may be due to your double glazing. Poor performing product will impact your bills and make your home even more expensive to run. Investing in replacing your double glazing could save you money in the long run.

Difficulty Using Your Windows and Doors

Another important sign that your need to replace your double glazing products are when they start underperforming and become difficult to use. When windows and doors start to need force to open and close, they may need replacing. It’s not just annoying it could be dangerous.

If you need to escape your home because of a fire or an emergency and the window fails to open, the results could be tragic. This is why it’s important to ensure all your products smoothly open and close.

Use our online quoting engine to get a price on our double glazed windows and doors. If you have any further queries or questions about replacing your double glazing, please get in touch today. Our team will be happy to help you.