Windows don’t fail overnight. They wear in slowly — a draught here, a bit more condensation there — until one day you notice your heating bill’s crept up and the living room still feels cold. By that point, the windows have usually been struggling for a while.
uPVC and timber frames both age, and seals fail over time, especially after a run of wet Lancashire winters. Here are five signs worth checking for before it starts costing you more in heating than a replacement would.
1. Draughts around the frame
If you can feel air moving around the edge of the window even when it’s shut, the seal has likely failed or the frame itself has warped slightly out of true. A draughty window works against your heating all winter, no matter how good your boiler is.
2. Condensation between the panes
This is different to condensation on the inside of the glass, which is just normal moisture in the air. If you see misting or fogging between the two panes of a double-glazed unit, the seal has failed and moisture has got in where it shouldn’t be. Once that happens, the insulating gap between the panes stops doing its job properly, and it won’t clear up on its own.
3. Difficulty opening or closing
Windows that stick, need a shove to close, or won’t latch properly are often telling you the frame has swollen, warped, or dropped slightly on its hinges. Beyond the annoyance, a window that doesn’t close properly isn’t sealing properly either, which means heat loss and a weaker point for security.
4. Rising heating bills
If your heating bills have gone up without an obvious reason — no change in usage, no colder winter than usual — old windows are one of the first places to look. Failing seals and worn frames let heat escape steadily, and it often shows up on the bill before it’s obvious anywhere else.
5. Faded, warped, or ageing frames
uPVC frames can discolour and become brittle with age and sun exposure, and timber frames can warp, crack, or rot. Beyond the look of it, ageing frames are usually less secure too, with locking mechanisms that have worn loose over the years.
What to do next
None of these signs mean every window in the house needs replacing at once, but they’re worth acting on before another winter puts more strain on frames that are already struggling. We fit replacement windows in Chorley and across the surrounding Lancashire areas, and can take a look and give you an honest answer on what actually needs doing.
If you’re weighing up the cost side of things, we’ve also put together a guide on how much window replacement costs in Chorley.
Get in touch on 07759 354113, or head to our replacement windows page to see the styles and colours we fit.
