One of the big questions homeowners have when they’re told that they may need to replace their home’s windows is: “How long do windows last, anyways?” Whole home window replacement can be a big expense, and it makes sense that most homeowners would want to avoid having to go through with it if their new windows aren’t going to last them a literal lifetime.
To avoid dragging things out, here’s a basic rule of thumb: a good quality window should last you for at least 20 years. However, it’s important to note that that’s only a general rule of thumb, not a hard, fast rule.
There are situations where the useful life of a window may be drastically different from the 20-year average. Let’s go over some of the reasons why a window might last for more or less time.
How Long Do Windows Last: Environmental Factors
For any object, the environment that object is exposed to will have a massive impact on how long it lasts. It’s why most of your cereal boxes say something like “store in a cool, dry place” rather than “eh, just leave it out in the sun, it’ll be fine.”
The same is true for windows. Environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and chemicals in the air can all have a direct impact on how long your windows last.
Florida, for example, tends to have a consistently hot, humid climate that encourages the growth of airborne germs and an ever-present insect population. Homes within a few miles of the coast are also constantly exposed to saltwater vapor in the air.
The combination of heat, humidity, salty air, and certain insect species can put lots of extra wear on a window, reducing its useful life unless that window is specifically designed to handle such environmental factors.
How Long Do Windows Last Depending on Materials?
Different window materials can have a major impact on how long your windows last. Windows made from nonbiodegradable materials, like most metals or polymers, tend to last longer than ones made from materials like wood.
That’s because metal alloys and plastic polymers are less susceptible to things like rotting or being eaten by termites than wood. So, in a hot and humid environment like Florida where termites and other insects are plentiful, a metal or plastic window frame will last much longer than a wooden one.
In Florida in particular, vinyl (polyvinylchloride, or PVC) windows tend to last the longest without showing their age, even more so than metal-framed windows. This is because, as noted in the ‘environmental factors’ section, there’s a lot of saltwater air in Florida. Salt can cause many metal alloys to corrode over time, eroding the metal to give it a pitted, scarred, and discolored appearance.
As noted by Linetec, a company specializing in architectural finishing, “Exposed, unfinished aluminum reacts strongly with chloride ions. Within weeks, the chemistry overwhelms the natural protective oxide layer and results in visible pitting. Prolonged exposure can compromise the structural integrity of aluminum components and lead to systemic failure.”
So, salt-rich ocean air with plentiful sodium chloride ions can absolutely destroy aluminum window frames over time. Still, that process takes a long time. Odds are that you’ll see pitting and rust-like marks on your aluminum windows well before they reach the point of physical failure.
In terms of useful life, the rankings of window materials in Florida typically look something like:
- Vinyl windows. Chemically inert to saltwater exposure and other compounds in the air, not digestible by most insects, and not susceptible to rotting. Typically lasts for decades.
- Metal windows. Reacts poorly to saltwater breezes and some chemicals, but incredibly durable against impacts and not prone to insect infiltration or rot. Typically lasts for years or even decades if properly cared for.
- Wood frame windows. Susceptible to wood rot, termites, chemical corrosion, and even moisture absorption. Generally not recommended for Florida homes, especially near the coastline. Most prone to premature failure.
How Does Window Maintenance Impact a Window’s Useful Life?
Basic maintenance can make a world of difference in how long a window lasts, especially for windows in harsher environments where they face constant exposure to saltwater breezes, high temperatures, and strong UV radiation. Add to this dirt accumulation, impacts from flying debris, and the occasional bout of hurricane-force winds, and it’s easy to see how windows can accumulate.
Performing maintenance on your windows can help you prolong the useful life of your existing windows by:
- Removing accumulated debris. Dust, dirt, and other debris that collects on window tracks can transfer to rollers or other moving parts, inhibiting their operation. Simply taking the time to vacuum out and wipe down tracks and cleaning off excess dirt and other detritus can help ensure your windows keep moving smoothly for years to come.
- Lubricating moving parts to prevent sticking. Silicone grease or other lubricants can be useful for breaking up stuck-on debris and reducing friction for moving parts in a window. This, in turn, means you don’t have to put as much force into operating the window, so there’s less stress on the moving parts, reducing the risk of sudden failure.
- Preventing corrosion. For metal and wood framed windows, applying a layer of paint can help keep moisture-rich, salty air from directly contacting your window frame. This, in turn, can help prevent wood rot or metal corrosion/pitting.
Performing regular maintenance on your windows is a great way to maximize their useful life so you can keep enjoying them for years to come.
How Do I Tell It’s Time to Replace My Windows?
So, say you have an older home and you don’t know when your windows were last replaced (or if they’re even up to current Florida Building Code standards)… how do you tell if you need to replace your windows or if they’re fine for now?
If you haven’t already done so, it’s a good idea to perform a close inspection of your windows to check for different issues that might indicate it’s time to replace your old windows and get new ones.
Some warning signs you need to replace your windows include:
- Drafts/Breezes around closed windows. If you notice a draft or breeze around your windows even when they’re closed (and your indoor fans/AC system aren’t running), that can be a major indication that it’s time to get new windows. Drafts often happen because of gaps in a window’s insulation or cracks in the glass or frame, letting air flow through the window opening despite it being closed.
- Rust/Pitting around the window frame. If you have metal windows, you should probably replace them regardless, just for energy efficiency’s sake. However, if those windows are also showing signs of rusting or pitting from exposure to saltwater vapor, then you definitely need to replace your windows, as sufficient rusting can impair the window’s structural integrity.
- Windows don’t open or close properly. Whether it’s hung windows refusing to move up or down or casement window sashes scraping against or stopping on the edge of the window frame, sticking windows are a bad sign. It could be that the frame is warped, rollers might be gummed up, hinges might be misaligned, or cranking mechanisms might be broken. Whatever the case, if the problem is keeping you from opening or closing your windows, it’s time for a replacement!
- Window glass is cracked/broken. A cracked pane of glass isn’t just an eyesore, it’s a risk to your home’s safety and energy efficiency. It could also be a warning sign of a window under intense pressure from a settling building frame. If you have cracks or breaks in the window glass, it’s clearly time to replace your windows!
- Condensation between internal glass panes. Condensation is fairly common on the inside or outside of a window, especially when it’s cold and humid out, like during the morning. But seeing condensation between two panes of glass in a multi-layered window can be an indication of a problem. First, and foremost, it means that moisture-rich air is getting inside the window, there may be a leak letting air in between the window panes. If you had a window with an argon or other inert gas fill, then it’s also likely that the special gas has leaked out of the window, meaning you’re not getting the benefit of improved energy efficiency it’s supposed to provide.
How Long Do Windows Last When Installed by Karoly Windows?
Karoly Windows uses top-quality vinyl impact windows and backs them up with expert installation to provide the longest possible useful life for every window we install.
We’re so confident in the durability and quality of our window installation work that we provide a lifetime warranty on our windows that covers labor for 25 years and materials for 50 years! That’s how long we expect the windows we install to last!
Why are we so confident? Aside from using top-quality brands and materials, we only use our own, in-house window installation teams to perform installs. That way, we can provide strict quality control and ensure that every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed on ALL of our installations.
Get the best-quality replacement window installation service to maximize your windows’ useful life! Reach out to Karoly Windows to get started!
