What Will Make Your Windows Last

What Will Make Your Windows Last?


All or Nothing The TrueMeaning of Long-lasting

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All or Nothing - The True Meaning of Long-lasting

Windows are designed for long-term weather protection and security and may be free from cracks and other defects for decades; but does this mean that the windows are still in good shape and don’t need replacing?

The main reason why people think those leaky windows are still worth keeping is the wrong idea of the term “service life.” To understand what it truly means for a window to be considered “long-lasting,” you have to know the actual meaning of the term “service life”.

Service life - The total time a product can be expected to perform its functions.

To be able to perform its functions a window needs to provide:

Outside viewWindows let people indoors see what’s outside their home without having to step out.

Natural lightingWindows are supposed to let natural light inside your house, reducing the need to turn on indoor lights.

VentilationOne of the window’s main purposes is to keep your home ventilated by letting fresh air in & stale air out.


All or Nothing - The True Meaning of Long-lasting

Heat reduction To avoid damage caused by heat from sunlight, a window must be able to reduce greatly the heat it absorbs or reflects.

Insulation Staying cold during summer and warm during winter greatly depends on how well your windows can keep regulated air in. Security Windows should be able to resist attempts at breaking in to keep you and your b e l o n g i n g s safe from burglars or trespassers.

The actual service life of a window is the time it can perform ALL those functions. As soon as the window can no longer perform one of those key tasks, it already means the window’s effective service life is over, even if it still looks pretty. The service life of a window can be extended by repairing it, but until then, it’s considered “deteriorated.”

That being said, the only way to make a window last for a very long time is proper installation, the right choice of materials, and paying enough attention to keep it properly maintained.


Window OptionsDesigned to Last

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Window Options Designed to Last

One of the best ways to make sure that your window will last for a long time is to make sure that it’s made with durability in mind. Here are some window options that are known for their durability and impressive life span.

Reinforced glass panes

The weakest part of a window is its glass pane. A moderate blow can cause the glass to shatter, rendering it completely useless and in need of replacement. However, modern window production techniques have led to the development of impact-resistant glass.

A popular reinforced glass option is laminated glass, which features one or more transparent layers over the actual glass surface. When something hits the glass, the film distributes the force of the impact and also prevents the broken shards from falling off. Not only is the glass pane more impact-resistant, it also keeps the window functioning to a certain extent even after it is damaged. Another example of reinforced glass is tempered glass. Using either chemical treatment or a series of heating and cooling processes makes tempered glass extremely resistant to abrasion.


Window Options Designed to Last

Reinforced frames

Window frames are not just installed to provide something where the actual windowpane sits on; it’s also designed to provide as much structural support as possible. Durable window frames can be made of wood or vinyl, but most experts agree that aluminum or steel frames are the best when it comes to service life.

Some “reinforced” window frames consist of multiple types of materials or extra treatment. For example, a wood frame can be reinforced with aluminum without adding too much weight. Additionally, advanced drying processes and chemical treatments can further improve a wood frame’s resistance to moisture damage.

Resilient Designs

Although newer window materials are designed to last longer, the overall lifespan of a window can still be influenced by its inherent design. For example, a window panel divided into four smaller frames with support brackets offers better durability than a single-frame window of the same size because the weight of the glass is distributed more evenly.


Making Windows Last Longer With Maintenance

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Your window may be designed to last long and built with the most durable options available, but it’s up to you to crank up its service life even more. Like every other thing you own, taking good care of your window can add years – even decades – to its expected lifespan. Here are some tips that can extend your window’s life.

Keep it clean This one’s as simple as it gets. The less dirt and debris you have on your window, the less likely it is to accumulate stuff that can damage it. Bird droppings contain some acids that might damage the window frame, and should be removed as soon as possible. While dust particles are generally harmless, an excessive amount of grime can stop water from flowing down and cause the window to stay damp, not to mention it blocks the outside view.

Perform general maintenanceAlthough it doesn’t take as much punishment as the roof, checking windows for any signs of damage at least twice a year is highly recommended. You’d want to check for signs of wear and tear on moving parts of the window, as well as look out for hairline cracks. Oiling metal joints and levers will help reduce the risk of rust formation and will keep your window easy to open or close.



Handle with care As with all things featuring fragile components, doing anything related to the window should be handled with care. Slamming the window shut will only risk breaking it. Larger windows that are operated by hand crank may take a bit of effort to open, but speeding up the turning can put more stress on the entire mechanism and wear out the treads.

Check the weather Is the wind starting to blow hard? It might be better to keep that window closed. It’s frustrating to have a well-maintained window forcefully slammed shut and shattered because of a strong gust of wind. The same thing can be said when it starts raining, since an open window can let rainwater seep into small channels or grooves on both sides of the pane.

Extending a window’s lifespan isn’t rocket science; all you need is the right materials and a bit of TLC.


SOUTHARD RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN OF KANSAS1222 10th, Great Bend, KS 67530

855-871-9140www.southardrbaofkansas.com

http://www.southardrbaofkansas.com

What Will Make Your Windows Last

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