New windows for your home will always be among the more expensive home improvement options. For that reason alone, it is essential to ensure your windows are installed correctly.
The importance of windows as a means of protection cannot be understated either. Whether you are building a new home, or are having your older windows swapped out, correct window installation is a must. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, windows are not always installed properly. If this is the case with your home, there are several warning signs you want to watch out for.
Have My Windows Been Installed Correctly?
How can you tell if the windows have been properly installed? If they have not been put in correctly, you will notice one, or more of the following red flags:
- Gaps: One of the most obvious indicators will be the presence of noticeable gaps in the window. Look between the frame and the windowsill. If there are any gaps, you’re going to notice them immediately. This means the glass and the frame were not measured together correctly. Sometime, when installing a new window, the installer will simply, and incorrectly, decide the measurements are close enough.
- Drafts: Another sure sign the windows haven’t been properly installed? If drafts of air are coming into a room. To be clear, when windows have been installed as they should be, you shouldn’t feel any drafts whatsoever. This is particularly true with the more modern double-pane and triple-pane windows.
- Water damage: The downside to this warning sign is that by the time you notice it, the damage has already been done. This is because a poorly installed window will cause rain to leak into the windows. If you have wallpaper, you will notice it becoming wrinkled, stained, or yellowed over time. If the walls around the window are painted, you will eventually find the paint chipping or bubbling. As further time goes on, this damage can severely impact the structural integrity of the property itself.
- Operational issues: A new window should be opening and closing without issue. Does the window get stuck when you open or close it? Is there any sort of resistance at all? This should not be the case with new windows.
- Poor caulking: You don’t have to be a DIY expert to know when a window has not been caulked correctly. This is something you should be able to notice very shortly after the work has been completed. Keep in mind that the purpose of caulking is to seal. The line created during caulking should be extremely smooth. Look for any gaps or holes in this line. If you see this to a noticeable extent, your windows have not been caulked properly.
Make Sure Your Windows Are Installed Correctly!
The main takeaway from all of this is that windows and doors should always be installed correctly. Make sure to carefully review and research any installation or maintenance company you come across. Luckily, VR Windows and Doors has years of experience serving customers all over Toronto and the GTA. With us, you can rest assured that you are getting the best service with affordable rates. Give us a call today at (416) 717-2730 to book your free estimate.
