Windows do not come with an expiration date stamped on the frame. Two houses built the same year on the same street can have windows in very different shape, depending on which way they face, how they were installed and how they have been cared for. So instead of a single number, it helps to know what wears windows out, what that wear looks like, and when it stops being worth patching.
What the frame is made of
Frame material sets the baseline for how a window ages.
Wood frames can last a very long time when they are painted and kept dry, and some older central Austin homes still have their original wood sashes. The weak point is moisture. Once paint fails at the bottom rail or sill, water gets in and rot follows.
Aluminum frames do not rot, but they conduct heat readily, and the thin builder-grade aluminum windows used in many homes from the 1980s and 1990s were never built for comfort. Their weatherstripping and rollers wear out, and they let a lot of summer heat into the room.
Vinyl frames resist moisture and do not need painting, which is why vinyl replacement windows are such a common choice. Quality varies widely, though. A well-made vinyl window with welded corners and a sturdy frame holds its shape far better under strong sun than a thin, economy unit.
Fiberglass and composite frames are also durable options, generally at a higher price.
What Central Texas weather does to windows
Sun and heat
Our long, hot summers are the biggest factor. Ultraviolet light breaks down seals, weatherstripping and some frame finishes over time. West- and south-facing windows take the most punishment, and it is common to find those wearing out first while the north side still looks fine.
Daily expansion and contraction
Frames and glass expand in the afternoon heat and shrink overnight. Over many seasons that movement stresses the seal that holds an insulated glass unit together. When the seal fails, moist air gets between the panes.
Shifting foundations
Expansive clay in parts of the metro swells when wet and shrinks in drought. As a foundation moves, window openings can rack slightly out of square. Sashes start to bind, locks stop lining up and gaps open around the frame.
Dust and pollen
Limestone dust, construction dust and seasonal cedar and oak pollen collect in tracks and screens. Left alone, grit wears down rollers and weatherstripping every time the window opens.
Installation matters as much as the window
A good window installed badly will not last. If it was not set level and plumb, the sashes fight the frame every time they move. If the gap around the frame was not insulated and the outside not sealed properly, water can work in behind it and air leaks around it. When a window gives out early, the way it went in is often part of the reason.
Signs your windows are near the end
- Fog or haze between the panes that will not wipe off, a sign the glass seal has failed.
- Sashes that stick, will not stay open or are hard to lock.
- Drafts you can feel, or daylight visible around the frame.
- Soft or discolored wood at the sill or bottom rail.
- Rooms that stay hot on summer afternoons even with the blinds closed.
- Cracked or warped frames, or condensation that keeps pooling on the sill on cold mornings.
One of these on one window may be a repair. Several across the house usually means replacement is the better use of money.
How to get more years from the windows you have
Keep tracks and weep holes clear so water can drain. Clean screens and glass gently with mild soap and a soft cloth, avoiding abrasive pads. Check the caulk around the outside each spring and fix gaps before summer. Keep paint in good condition on wood frames. Open and close every window now and then so you notice a problem early.
Find out where your windows stand
If you are not sure whether your windows have years left, call The Window Source of Austin at (512) 524-9455 for a free in-home estimate. We will tell you honestly which ones need replacing and which can wait.