National Property Inspections of Rochester, NY Blog

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That’s actually a complicated question because there are a lot of factors to consider. Houses built prior to 1978 may have lead in their paint. One of the most popular reasons why people replace their windows is to resolve lead in paint issues. Some people who have older houses like the character of the older wood windows and may decide to have the lead paint removed from the windows. If you live in an historic district that may be your only option. You may also have a lot of windows that are rotted and falling apart. This is another reason why people replace their windows. Some people will replace their old wood windows because they want lower maintenance. You can buy windows that don’t need to be painted and have tilt in features that make it easier to clean them. Some people will replace their windows with new windows that are more energy efficient. The pay back period for getting your money back in energy savings can be quite long. There are contractors out there that can tighten up older wood windows and make them more energy efficient. Here in Rochester, NY we have the Landmark Society. The Landmark Society has a list of contractors that specialize in preserving the character of older homes. Theses contractors are skilled in repairing and improving the energy efficiency of older windows.
It’s my opinion that if your windows are in overall good operating condition and if you don’t have lead in paint issues that it probably is more cost effective to hire someone to give your existing windows a tune-up. Of course a window contractor will have a different opinion because they want to make thousands of dollars by selling you new windows.

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National Property Inspections of Rochester, NY, LLC
Inspecting Homes, One House at A Time Since 1989

When you look outside on a sunny day, you’re

seeing the visible part of the light spectrum.

The rest of the light is invisible and it could be

making your bill higher than it needs to be.

Low-e coatings are microscopically thin layers

of metallic oxide bonded to the surface of the

glass in windows. The coatings prevent heat and ultra-

violet (UV) rays from passing through glass. It works

like an invisible mirror reflecting select portions of the light

spectrum back in or out of the windows. Soft, hard, and Heat

Mirror are three major types of coatings on the market. Soft

coat is not durable enough to be exposed to the elements, so

it is applied to the inner surfaces of windows. Hard coat is

resilient enough to be used on exterior surfaces but it is not

quite as energy efficient as soft coat. Hard coat is found

primarily on storm windows and removable energy panels.

Heat Mirror is applied to a thin polyester sheet suspended

between the two panes of a dual pane window. The coating

reflects radiant heat while the sheet decreases heat loss by

splitting the air space in two.

Windows

Windows in a commercial or residential property can be important for aesthetics, safety and energy efficiency. The location, type, size and number of windows affects air movement and access to light in the home.

Understanding the type, function and condition of the windows before you move in can help determine what maintenance might be necessary in the future. A representative number of the windows on both the exterior and the interior of the home will be checked. On the exterior, the inspector checks the overall condition of the windows, including the presence or absence of a sealant-like weather stripping or caulking.

Inside, the inspector will check window operation. The inspector will also look for the presence of screens or storm windows and breaks or cracks in the window panes. If conditions allow, the inspector will assess thermal pane windows for evidence of problems with the seal.

For more information on windows, contact National Property Inspections.

Be Advised

Condensation on the inside of window glass or the inside of storm windows can be a minor inconvenience or the signal of a larger ventilation problem. Window condensation is caused when warmer air comes in contact with the cooler window surface. Warmer air is capable of carrying more invisible moisture particles than cooler air. When the warmer air hits the cooler surface, the moisture falls out of the air and sticks to the window. Sometimes, it can even form ice which then melts and streams down the window.

Sharp temperature changes in the fall cause this type of condensation for a few weeks. Condensation is also more prevalent in the morning hours. Condensation that evaporates off the window in a few hours is little cause for concern. Condensation that becomes ice, runs off the window and pools along wooden frames or wood trim can eventually damage the wood surface, causing rot or mildew to grow.

Both older and newer homes can experience severe window condensation problems – older homes because there is too much ventilation to the outside at the windows, and newer homes because there isn’t enough. Balancing moisture levels inside the home is the key. To do this, you can limit the sources of moisture inside the home, reduce moisture levels through proper ventilation or dehumidification or raise surface temperatures.