3 Signs Your Window Seals Have Failed

Windows are designed for function and aesthetics, but they are so much more. In fact, your windows can also help improve your home’s thermal comfort and energy efficiency, just as long as their seals remain sturdy and intact. Proper maintenance can ensure this, but there will come a time when even that solution won’t work anymore. Seal failure usually indicates the looming end of the windows’ service life. And the warning signs of this particular issue are fairly obvious, so you’ll know exactly when it’s time to get the necessary window replacement. Here’s what you should be watching out for:

1. Condensation Between the Panes

Normally, window condensation isn’t something you should be worried about. Fog or “sweat” tends to form on their surface during the summer or winter, when there’s a huge difference in temperature between your home’s interior and the outdoors. Window condensation is even considered a sign that your windows are airtight. But if the fog is present between the panes instead of on their surface, that’s the time to be concerned because this can only mean the window seals are broken.

2. Presence of Drafts

If every homeowner has a list of things they absolutely dislike, then drafts are most likely included in the top ten. They seem trivial, but drafts can become a huge issue when overlooked. They create cold or hot spots that make it difficult to keep a consistent temperature inside your home, which, in turn, allows for higher energy bills. The presence of drafts is an indication of failing window seals. You might want to consult a trusted window installation company in your area for the necessary solution.

3. Distortion in the Window Glass

Most modern windows come with double panes, with an inert gas (usually krypton or argon) filling the space between. This helps prevent excess heat or cold from transferring into your home from the outside, ensuring that your living space will stay warm in winter and cool in summer. When the window seals are failing, the inert gas fill between the panes will leak out, causing the window to bow in the middle. There’s a simple way to confirm this. Check your reflection on the panes- in windows with a broken seal, your reflection will appear more distorted compared to the ones with the seal still intact. 

Preventing Window Seal Failure

Eventually, you’ll need a window installation, but until then, you can make sure your window seals remain intact as long as possible. For example, you can:

• Periodically check the window for signs of separation between the glass and frames.
• Clear any debris from the window seams.
• Avoid using a pressure washer to clean the windows because the high-velocity stream may create gaps between the glass and frames.
• Forgo the use of a heat gun in removing paint from window frames.

Dealing with Window Seal Failure

Window seals deteriorate due to old age and constant exposure to harsh weather conditions. But there are also instances where the seal in fairly new windows would start to fail, with sloppy workmanship by the contractor being the primary culprit. An inexperienced contractor may have failed to seal the space properly between the window unit and its opening, leaving small gaps that allow outdoor air to leak inside your home. Over time, these openings will grow larger, causing the window seals to completely fail. Some homeowners mitigate the issue by:

• Caulking the windows to seal the gaps.
• Adding weatherstripping to the perimeter of the window sash.
• Applying shrink film to the gap using double-sided tape and then heating them with a hairdryer to create a seal.
• Filling the gaps with a clear nail polish, which can stabilize the window glass and seal any openings once it hardens.

But keep in mind that these are only short-term solutions. Prompt window replacement remains the better and more permanent solution to seal failure.

Why You Should Work with STL Windows Direct

Given the time, money, and effort involved with window replacement, you’ll want to make sure the project will be done to more-than-satisfactory results. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a window company that has your best interest in mind. For many homeowners in the St. Louis metro, that will be STL Windows Direct. Here’s why we are the window installer of choice in our Missouri communities:

• Full Credentials. STL Windows Direct is a licensed, insured, and bonded window company, with applicable workers’ compensation and liability coverage to ensure our clients’ greater protection. Thanks to our familiarity with the building regulations specific to the area, you are also sure that any window replacement projects we take on will be up to code.

• Top-Tier Window Options. At STL Windows Direct, we want you to have the best and most advanced window choices available. You’ll find that our Smart 365 Innovations Direct windows check all the boxes in what high-quality replacement windows should be. They come with triple-pane glass, plus a krypton gas fill, for better thermal performance. This feature is augmented with SmartCore insulation that effectively stops extreme outdoor temperatures from transferring into your home, while also preventing valuable heating or cooling energy from leaking out.

For increased durability, our Smart 365 Innovations windows use 100% virgin vinyl, its frames and sashes are fusion-welded to better withstand inclement weather. A transferable lifetime limited warranty, along with extended coverage against glass breakage and seal failure, add an extra layer of protection to your investment. 

• Industry Expertise. The team at STL Windows Direct has the training, skills, and experience to provide homeowners in Maryland Heights and beyond with superior window installation work. We take every aspect of your project into consideration, listening closely to your needs so we can meet them with a personalized solution. Expect no shortcuts, costly mistakes, or callbacks when you choose us for your window upgrade- only timely and efficient workmanship.

Schedule Your Window Evaluation

Get the most out of your window upgrade by working with STL Windows Direct. With our high-quality Direct windows and professional installers, we’ll make sure your project goes on without a hitch. After all, ensuring your complete satisfaction is one of our top aims. Call us today at (314) 690-5800 or fill out this contact form to request a FREE window quote. We proudly serve Maryland Heights, MO, and the Greater St. Louis area.