7 Causes of Progressive Damage in Windows

Everyone knows that New Jersey winters are serious business. Feet of snow, winter storms, and extremely low temperatures are a normal occurrence in the wintertime for Morris County, NJ. While there are plenty of winter wonderland activities outdoors, most families prefer a well-sealed and cozily warm home to keep the heat in and keep the winter out. However, this is much harder to do with older homes where the windows are not built up to modern standards or have warped badly over time. Windows are meant to maintain your home’s energy efficiency with the beauty and safety requirements of a nice view. However, the wind whistles or rattles through your windows can cause window damage.

Window damage comes from more than just stray baseballs, and impacts aren’t the only way a window can be damaged. Lifetime Aluminum is here to help you take a closer look at the seven predominant causes of yearly window damage.

Causes of Progressive Window Damage

Improper Window Installation

One of the leading causes of window damage is improper window installation. A sealed window needs to be perfectly in balance with the frame. Any uneven stress can cause the seal to break or the frame to crack. Improper window installation can also create an imperfect seal, allowing outdoor air to come in and your conditioned air to escape. An improperly installed window may also take other forms of damage.

Extreme Temperature Changes

In extreme temperatures, the change between extremes can warp and break a window. On those odd early winters and late spring days when the temperature swings between hot and cold in a few hours, windows and other elements of the house may flex and take damage. This can also happen if it is below freezing outdoors (on one side of the window) and quite warm inside the house. This can cause a window frame to flex or warp.

Window-Shaking Weather

Serious weather can also damage your windows. Hail and ice storms can impact the glass and carve away at the frame, especially with the types of ice storms typical to Morris County, NJ. Extremely strong winds that shake the windows can also cause damage over time, and the more bad weather, the more damage the exterior of each window might take.

Constant Window Use

A window that is opened and closed constantly can also take damage, especially if the tracks are not perfect. Older windows are particularly susceptible to constant opening and closing, and the sliding tracks of windows that open may need to be removed. If you want to use a window frequently, consider the model and design that will hold up to the most frequent use.

Excessive Moisture or Humidity

Moisture is also bad news for many types of windows. If your window frames are made of wood or another porous material, the humidity of the incident is already seeping in. High moisture can cause a window frame to swell or warp until it no longer fits the frame. Some homes have a higher risk of mold. Extreme moisture from outdoors like constant rain hitting the window can also turn into a leak, and not always the one you can see.

Window Impacts Over Time

Not every window impact breaks the glass. Running into a window often or the frame of a window being pelted with projectiles can cause damage over time. Just like frequently opening and closing a window can eventually cause damage, so too can regular impacts from any routine source. This could be regular hail storms or bumping into the window regularly with a piece of furniture.

Age of Your Window

Lastly, windows do age. In fact, in very old windows you can even see that glass is still, ever so slightly, still a liquid. Old window frames may swell or shrink, warp, and lose their seals. The older a window – and the more wear-and-tear it sees – the more likely you will see progressive window damage.

Window Repair and Replacement in Morris County, NJ

Here at Lifetime Aluminum, we are dedicated to keeping the homes of Morris County safe and sound. That means outstanding quality window repairs and replacements. If one of your windows Is damaged or you believe it may need repair, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how window damage occurs, how to prevent it, and how to ensure your home is cozy all year long.