Windows play an important role in the function of your home, from keeping your home comfortable to helping you save on energy costs. However, when windows start getting old or are in poor condition, they can do just the opposite. As homeowners, we should be checking the condition of our windows every now and then, to avoid problems such as draughts, increases in energy consumption, furnishing damage, and more that run-down windows can cause.
So how do you know when it’s time to upgrade your home’s windows? For some, it’ll be when you start noticing energy bills climbing, while for others, it could be obvious signs of wear and tear. Follow along for all the signs that your windows may need upgrading and how double glazing can help you get the most out of your new window investment.
Your home is becoming uncomfortable
Your home is supposed to be your place of comfort. If you find yourself constantly bundling up in the winter, or struggling to escape the heat in the summer, your discomfort could be coming from your windows. Older, single glazed windows provide poor insulation, meaning they allow for heat loss during the winter months, or heat gain during summer. So no matter how much you’re relying on your air con or heating, you’ll still be left uncomfortable because of the poor window insulation.
Draughts can also happen overtime with cracks in materials due to moisture, pressure and house shifting. If you notice gaps or cracks around your window frames, draughts could be your main problem, since they’re allowing indoor air to escape and outdoor air to make its way inside. Thermawood works to correct both of these issues, offering a dramatic increase in the insulating power of a window (by up to 73% with the Thermawood Retrofit Double Glazing System) and proper draught seal installation.
You're looking for ways to cut down on energy costs
We are all feeling the impact of the current rise in energy costs. If you’re just looking to be proactive about rising energy costs, upgrading your timber windows can help tremendously. In fact, in Australia, heating and cooling makes up an average of 40% of household energy consumption. As discussed above, if you upgrade your single glazed windows to insulated glass units (IGU’s), your home’s insulation will be improved massively and draughts will be sealed off – allowing you to rely less on your split system.
Using less energy to keep your home’s temperature regulated will allow you to shrink your energy bills to a fraction of the cost. With the Thermawood Retrofit Double Glazing System, we’ve seen clients cut their energy consumption anywhere from 25% to 30%. One client, who upgraded his windows and appliances, went from using 974.78kWh of power to 373.2 kWh right after having his IGU’s installed.
You're noticing external noise
Is external noise keeping you up? Maybe your neighbourhood is becoming more populated, or you’ve moved into a home near a rail system... Whatever the cause of the external noise, the last thing you want to hear while you’re relaxing at home are the footsteps of others walking by or the rumble of trams. So what can you do to minimise this unwanted noise?
Double glazing your windows is one of the most effective ways to reduce noise pollution in your home. Sound travels easily through single glazed windows and any gaps or cracks in your frames or seals could be adding to the problem. With insulated glass units (IGU’s), the air between the two panes of glass and the thickness of the panes themselves will buffer out a lot of the noise.
UV rays are damaging your soft furnishings
In Australia, many property owners favour large windows that let the sun flood our living spaces with light. However, since our sun conditions are so harsh, this can also leave our soft furnishings vulnerable to damage from UV light over time. So if you’ve noticed your couch, pillows, curtains, bedding, art and more fading, it might be time to upgrade your windows, so no more harm is done in the future.
Investing in Thermawood Retrofit Double Glazing with laminated glass can eliminate most of the sun’s damaging UV rays, which will also stop your furnishing from fading. We include Low E Glass as an upgrade option when upgrading your existing windows with our double glazing system. This glass type blocks a lot of the sun’s heat from entering your home, while also blocking out some of the sun’s UV rays, thus protecting your expensive interiors.
You're noticing some water damage on your frames
Timber window frames can experience some water damage overtime. If you’ve started noticing this type of damage, it doesn’t always mean you need to replace your frames. In many cases, all the frames need are some refurbishments and they’ll be good as new again.
At Thermawood, we refurbish any rotted or soft pieces of the joinery and restore or replace any broken hardware to maintain the charm of your home. We then install our double glazing system into these refurbished frames. We also developed a special drainage system that will optimise drainage and keep your old timber as dry as possible – extending its lifespan.
Conclusion
If you choose to replace your existing single glazed panes with the Thermawood Retrofit Double Glazing System, you’ll stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, decrease your energy costs, block out damaging UV rays, and more much.
By retrofitting double glazing into your existing timber frames, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of double glazing, without altering the original appearance of your home.
To get a free quote from us to upgrade your existing timber-frame windows, visit https://content.thermawood.com.au/request-quote
