Top signs your timber windows and doors need replacing before winter

Knowing the signs that your wooden joinery needs replacing is vital before the colder weather sets in.

As we come out of the Autumn months and into winter, making sure your timber windows and doors are keeping your home warm is key, to not only save you money in heating bills, but also time and unnecessary aggravation.

What is the best time to replace windows and doors?

Autumn offers the ideal time for timber window and door replacements, taking place just before the deep freeze and the holiday rush. Acting now can save you the hassle of trying to plan a renovation in the lead up to Christmas.

Due to the change in temperature, you may start to become aware of draughts near your window and door frames, but tackling this before the winter sets in will prevent extra costs on energy bills that could be avoided with energy efficient windows and doors.

How do I look out for the signs that my windows and doors need replacing?

Knowing the signs that your timber windows and doors need replacing can be the one thing that prevents you spending money on costly emergency repairs that may not even fix the rooted issue.

If the condensation is between the window panes, this begins to happen when the sealant around the edges of the glass becomes worn, creating holes for the gas between the panes to escape. Once the gas escapes, it’s replaced with air, creating condensation between the panes. This means the whole glazing unit would need replacing, as the gas between the panes and seal acts as an insulator.

If the condensation is on the inside of your windows, this means that your window isn’t performing as it should and therefore either the frame or glazing is allowing cold air from outside through the window. When meeting the warm air inside your property, it creates condensation internally.

If you notice consistent condensation on the inside of your windows, this is a key sign that you should be replacing your timber windows or doors.

The ideal situation is to experience condensation on the external pane of your glazing — this is actually a sign of superior energy efficiency. The high-performance coating on the glass reflects heat back into the room, meaning the external pane remains cooler.

If you’re having difficulty using your timber windows or doors, and they have become stiff to open, it may be the hinges catching. You may be able to fix this by adjusting the hinges, or you may be able to loosen this using a dry lubricant. If this doesn’t have an effect, it’s another indicator that you may need to replace your joinery.

Physical changes like warping, chipped paint or discolouration may mean replacements are needed, depending on severity. If chipped paint has led to rot in the wood, the whole window unit would need replacing.

Can it cost to wait to replace your windows and doors?

Putting off replacements can lead to a rise in energy bills throughout the winter as more heat escapes, as your windows and doors lose their thermal capabilities.

Another thing that isn’t often thought of is emergency repairs. If you notice a small issue that could be easily fixed but put off resolving this, it can lead to the issue worsening in the long run, having a more damaging effect on you and your home. If you catch the listed problems early, it can save you needing to replace.

When do I repair vs replace timber windows?

If you think your timber windows and doors need replacing, check that these issues cannot be fixed first. Opting straight for a replacement when some of these issues can be resolved with minor repairs will cost you more.

If you see your ironmongery tarnishing, this can be fixed without replacing the whole window or door unit. Simply replacing your handles and hardware, where necessary, will save you both money and hassle.

Depending on the extent of damage, if you notice small chips in your paintwork which haven’t led to rot, this can be fixed easily with touch-up paint. In Westbury Windows and Joinery, Accoya timber is used, as it has brilliant resistance to the elements, meaning it is virtually rot proof. Other types of timber which have not gone through an acetylation process don’t carry this quality, which is why you often see timber windows coated in paint to protect the wood. However, in doing this, it can end up sealing the windows shut – so before you touch up with paint, check whether you need to sand the area first.

Bigger issues involving glazing (condensation or cracks) and timber (warping or movement in the joints) will more than likely mean the whole window or door unit would need replacing.

How do I choose which replacement windows and doors I need?

If you know your windows and doors need replacing, choosing what to replace them with can seem quite daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.

At Westbury Windows and Joinery, we offer hand-crafted timber windows and bespoke doors that are built using Accoya® and Redwood. Accoya® is a durable, dimensionally stable timber that has been acetylated, improving its resistance to the elements. This process improves the timber’s water resistance, making it virtually rot proof, and it does not swell, twist, or warp. As there is minimal movement in the joints, this means that it not only looks better for longer but requires less maintenance.

The glazing we use in our energy efficient windows and doors has been chosen specifically for its security, acoustic and energy-saving properties. All of our timber windows and external doors feature double glazing as standard, with a total product U Value of 1.4. Choosing windows or doors with glazing that has a lower U Value is optimal, as it means you will lose less heat through your joinery.

Did you know?

Timber joinery components lose more heat than modern high-performance glazing. With glazing technology becoming so advanced in recent years, the glass that is often used is so thermally efficient that the timber parts increase the overall U-Value.

We guarantee our timber windows and doors for 10 years if they are taken care of properly. By making frequent checks and carrying out monthly maintenance, you can extend the life of your joinery. To make sure you are doing the proper checks, not only for this time of year, but all year round, read more on our Autumn maintenance blog.

If you are unsure if your timber windows and doors need replacing or you’re planning an upgrade, contact our expert Westbury Windows and Joinery sales team, who are here to guide you and talk you through the steps we take when planning a renovation.