5 Culprits to Blame for Window Seal Failure

Some homeowners don’t realize this, but your windows are one of your home’s most important features. They not only help improve your home’s curb appeal, but they also increase its access to natural ventilation and light, maximize your viewing area, and contribute to your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. You’ll want to keep tabs on your sliding windows for that last reason alone, and this means checking them regularly for possible seal failure. But what exactly can cause window seal failure and what can you do about it? 

Renewal by Andersen® of Knoxville, a top window replacement expert in Oakridge, TN, and the surrounding areas, shares what you need to know.

What’s So Bad About Seal Failure in Windows?

Seal failure is probably the last thing you want to happen to your windows. That’s because it creates a domino effect that ultimately results in poor indoor comfort and significant energy loss. To detail, outdoor heat or cold finds it easier to transfer into your home when the window seals are compromised. The leakage makes it difficult for your HVAC to heat or cool your home evenly, which in turn, causes the system to work overtime and consume more energy.

Window seal failure may occur for these reasons:

1. Old age. Everything has a life expectancy — and windows are no exception. Older windows are more susceptible to seal failure because they don’t come with the same level of weather protection available in windows made today. This is especially true if the windows still use the single-pane construction that is now practically obsolete. Older windows with failed seals won’t be doing you any favors when it comes to energy efficiency, so you should consider getting new ones from Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville. We have sleek sliding windows that may just be perfect for your Maryville, TN, home.

2. Weather damage. While most windows are designed to withstand the harshest elements, there’s only so much force they can take. Large hailstones and wind-blown debris can leave small dents, cracks and other openings in your windows, allowing outdoor air to leak inside your home. Wind-driven rain can also seep behind the seal in your windows and cause it to lift. Because the seal is no longer flush with the frames, air and water are able to easily pass through.

3. Mold. When there’s a notable difference in temperature between your home’s interior and the outdoors, condensation may form on your windows. You’ll need to wipe the condensation off your bay windows promptly. Otherwise, the window frames will absorb the moisture, encouraging mold to form. The presence of mold can harm the effectiveness of window seals, which makes air leakage likelier to occur.

4. Thermal Movement. Extreme changes in weather and temperature can make window frames expand and contract. The constant movement not only leads to warping in windows but also negatively affects the seals, causing them to shrink or sag. This particular issue is more common in wood and vinyl windows because of their tendency to change shape when exposed to extreme weather or temperature.

5. Installation Mistakes. Seal failure may occur fairly early in windows if there are issues with their installation. Perhaps the contractor has damaged the seal during the process, or maybe the installers cut corners and used defective sealant. It’s also possible they didn’t give the seal enough time to set. Whatever the reason, the only way to put things right is to have the windows replaced — this time by a more reliable and experienced custom windows company like Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville.

The Best Way to Deal with Window Seal Failure 

The windows are pretty much shot when their seals have failed, which makes high-quality window replacement the most ideal solution. Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville will be more than happy to help you plan and implement this upgrade. We have the skills, training and experience to complete your window replacement correctly the first time. What’s more, our options are made of a revolutionary framing material that makes them significantly less susceptible to seal failure.

Renewal by Andersen custom windows use Fibrex® composite for sashes and frames. It combines the exceptional strength and insulating properties of wood with the low-maintenance value of vinyl. This allows for windows that are impervious to cracks, pits, rot and corrosion. Fibrex windows are designed to retain their shape even when exposed to extreme thermal changes — you don’t have to worry about them warping. And when they’re closed, our windows create a strong and airtight seal, ensuring that valuable heating and cooling energy doesn’t leak out of your home.

The excellence of our Fibrex windows doesn’t stop there. Unlike its counterparts, Fibrex is durable enough that it can be shaped into any window style. In fact, the composite is so strong that it allows us to create windows with even thinner frames and more expansive glass. Style and durability basically go hand in hand in Renewal by Andersen windows. 

Top-Tier Window Services in Oak Ridge, TN

Keep the seals of your bay windows durable and airtight by turning to Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville for high-quality solutions. Our aim is to meet your window needs in any way we can. Request a FREE in-home consultation by calling us today at (866) 609-5033 or filling out this contact form. We proudly serve Oak Ridge, TN, and other areas in Anderson and Roane counties.