New double glazed or even triple glazed windows can make your home a far more comfortable place, reducing your energy bills, keeping your home warm during the colder months, and letting natural light flood into your home like never before.

Replacing your existing windows before their time, however, might not be the smartest financial decision and you should be confident that the savings you will make will outweigh the cost of installation as soon as possible.

Sometimes it is obvious that an upgrade is required, in properties with single glazing still installed, for example, but when the existing windows are of good quality and simply reaching the end of their lifespan it can be slightly more difficult to pick the perfect moment.

To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the biggest signs that the time has come to look up “double glazing near me” and replace your windows with new double or triple glazing:

Age

Double glazed windows are expected to last around 20-25 years if well maintained and of a good quality. This lifespan is dependent on a number of factors besides material quality including the location of the property and exposure to weather conditions over the years but if you think your windows are reaching around this age, it is probably time to start looking for some replacements.

Even if there is nothing noticeably wrong with your windows, modern double glazing is far more energy efficient, and you might unknowingly be paying far more than is necessary for your energy as a result.

Rotting or warping frames

The frame of your window is almost as important as the glass itself when it comes to preventing heat loss and if your frames have begun to warp or rot, their weatherproofing is likely to have been compromised.

Once rot has started it is difficult to reverse and you may well see leaking and severe draughts as a result. If water seeps into the walls, the cost of repair can quickly soar, not the mention an increased risk of mould growing nearby.

The best option when you see a warped or rotten frame is simply to have the window replaced. To avoid a similar situation in the future, choose a uPVC or aluminium frame rather than a timber one next time. uPVC comes in very realistic wood effect finishes and provides far more efficient and durable results.

Hard to open or close

One sign that you window frames may have warped slightly without you noticing is increased stiffness when you try to open or close the window itself. If your window is stiff, or completely jammed it may compromise safety in the property, especially if the window is a designated emergency exit.

Your home is draughty

A cool draft of air in the summer months may be welcome, but when temperatures fall they are a worrying indication that your windows are not being successful in preventing cold air from getting inside.

If they can’t keep cold air out, they can’t keep warm air in either, and this can lead to much larger heating bills than should be required for a property of your size.

There could be a wide variety of different reasons for draughts, with the main one being poorly fitted or warped frames but windows that cannot close fully are also an issue.

Either way, there is a good chance that the only real way to remediate the issues will be to replace your existing units with brand new double or triple glazing.

You still have single glazing

If you still have single glazed windows in your property, it is essential that you upgrade to double glazing as soon as possible. This is usually only the case in older properties, but double glazing is no longer a luxury it is absolutely essential in order to reduce emissions and prevent your energy bills from soaring out of control.

You can hear a bit more from outside than you would like

If you live in the countryside a bit of ambient bird song seeping through the window might not be an issue, but for those in urban areas, or who live close to a main road or airport, sound proofing is an important part of their windows and doors.

If you have found that recently you have been able to hear a bit more outside activity than has previously been the case, it might be that your double glazing has begun to weaken and its ability to prevent sound transfer has started to fail. Replacing your windows with new double or, even better, triple glazed windows will make your home a sanctuary from the outside world, limiting sound entering your home from the outside world to an absolute minimum.