Signs It's Time to Replace Your Commercial Windows

Sign #1: Rising Energy Bills

Have you noticed your energy bills climbing higher? Over time, aging windows lose their energy efficiency. Weakening seals, shifting frames, and outdated single-pane designs allow drafts to seep in, leaving your building chilly in the winter and stuffy in the summer.

This inefficiency forces your HVAC system to work harder and longer to maintain indoor comfort, driving up energy costs and accelerating the wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment.



Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient windows can make a significant difference. These advanced designs provide better insulation, helping to stabilize indoor temperatures and reducing the strain on your HVAC system. The result? Lower energy costs, fewer repairs, and a more comfortable space year-round.

Sign #2: Visible Damage or Wear

Windows take a beating from the elements. Over time, scratches, foggy glass, and broken seals can make them look worse for wear. If you have older double- or triple-pane windows, foggy glass is a clear sign the seal between panes has failed.

Although you can fix one or two windows with foggy glass, you'll notice this problem occurs more as the windows continue to age. Over time, maintaining and fixing your building's windows can become more expensive than it's worth.



Buildings with wooden windows face additional challenges. Wooden windows need to be stained or painted regularly to maintain water resistance. If your wooden windows are not maintained, you'll notice more scratches and cosmetic problems develop with time.

Sign #3: Difficulty Opening or Closing Windows

If your building's windows are designed to open and close, the mechanisms that make this possible will start to age with time. As this happens, opening and closing the windows in your commercial building may become difficult.



Maybe you've noticed that your windows won't stay open unless propped with an object. Maybe your windows are difficult to push shut, and it takes a lot of effort to make them close all the way. These are signs that the internal mechanisms inside your windows are beginning to break. It could also be a sign that the building is settling, and your windows aren't a great fit any longer.

Sign #4: Excessive Noise Pollution

Do you live in a noisy area? Noise pollution was a common problem in buildings many years ago. This is because older windows did very little to protect building interiors from outside noises.

Today, modern windows help keep environmental noise out and can make your building a quieter, more peaceful place to work. Glass makers have discovered ways to reduce sound transmission through glass. Sound abatement glass helps cut back noise transmission and can shield your building from outdoor sounds like traffic, trains, airplanes, and more.



If your customers or staff complain about the noise in your building, this might be a problem with your windows. Talk to a window replacement professional to learn more about sound abatement glass options.

Sign #5: Drafts and Water Leaks

Drafts and water leaks make your building an unhealthy and uncomfortable place to spend time. Drafts and water leaks also lead to structural damage and expensive repair bills. If your building's windows are leaking, or if you're experiencing wild temperature swings in various rooms of your building, new window installation can make big improvements.

Sign #6: Outdated Appearance

Some windows don't age well. Years ago, windows had thicker frames and came in colors that were popular for the time. Contemporary windows have slender frames in neutral colors like black and white. If your windows just look old, this could reflect badly on your building and on your business. Installing new windows can improve the appearance of your business.

Choosing the Right Windows for Your Business

Once you've decided it's time to replace your windows, choosing the right window brand and style for your business is important. As a business owner, you'll be faced with many choices. Here's what to consider when choosing the right windows for your business:

• Quality: Install high-quality windows from respected brands. This is the best way to enhance the  life expectancy of windows.

• Window styles: Windows come in many styles including casements, double hung, single hung, picture windows, and sliding windows. Consider the architectural style of your building as well as the functionality of the window when trying to choose. Do you need windows that open and close? Should the windows be historically accurate? Ask these questions and more when trying to decide.



• Maintenance needs: Some window materials need more maintenance than others. Wooden windows, for example, need to be stained or painted regularly. Choose windows that you're prepared to take care of for the service life of the window.
  

Why Work with a Professional Window Company

The life expectancy of windows can vary, depending on window quality and how well they're maintained. However, if you're seeing signs that it's time for commercial window replacement, it's important to work with the professionals. Window quality and installation quality can contribute to the success of your windows.

At Woodland Windows and Doors, we provide commercial door and window replacement in the Chicago area. Since 1969, we've been a trusted name in the Chicago area. We install windows in a range of styles for total flexibility and aesthetic value. Our windows are made by many of the top window brands to ensure satisfaction for our customers. Call today to get started with your commercial window installation or replacement.