Summertime brings more than its fair share of memories with friends and family, but along with those memories, it also brings rising temperatures and, heatwaves. As the summer heat continues, keeping your home cool and comfortable is a top priority for homeowners. A cool home not only offers relief from those rising temperatures outside but also contributes to the overall well being of everyone in the house and helps increase energy efficiency.
When your home is efficiently cooled, it reduces the strain on your air conditioning system, leading to lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint. However, achieving and maintaining a cool home during the hottest months can be challenging without the right strategies and resources.
Your windows are one of the most important yet often overlooked elements in regulating your home’s temperature. High quality, well maintained windows play a crucial role in keeping the heat out and the cool air in. Properly sealed and insulated windows can make a noticeable difference in your home's comfort levels, especially during extreme weather conditions.
These window care and maintenance tips from Golden Windows will help you keep your home cool and comfy this summer.
The Importance of Maintaining Your Home’s Windows & Doors
Windows are more than just aesthetic features in the home. In reality, they’re actually essential components of your home’s heat flow and overall control. Maintaining your windows is crucial when it comes to ensuring your home stays comfortable, energy efficient, and protected from the elements. Proper window care and maintenance directly impact your home’s insulation, energy efficiency, and indoor climate control, especially during those warm summer months.
How Well Maintained Windows & Doors Impact Home Comfort
Having well maintained windows installed in your home is a key determiner in its ability to stay cool when temperatures outside rise. They help regulate indoor temperatures by preventing the cool air from escaping and blocking the hot air from entering your home, helping you create a cozy living room, kitchen and more — through features like tight seals, weatherstripping, and utilizing today’s glazing technologies.
When windows are properly maintained, they create a more stable and comfortable environment, reducing the strain on your air conditioning system. This not only helps lower energy costs but also reduces the wear and tear on HVAC systems, leading to fewer maintenance issues and keeping your cooling appliances in better condition for much longer.
Common Issues with Neglected Windows & Doors
Neglecting window maintenance can lead to a series of problems that can compromise your home's comfort and energy efficiency.
Drafts
Drafts are one of the most common issues you’ll find if your windows are poorly maintained. Drafts occur when seals and weatherstripping degrade over time, allowing outside air to enter the home and cool air to escape. This not only makes it harder to keep your home cool but also leads to increased energy consumption since your HVAC system has to work harder to make up for the air lost.
Leaks & Condensation
Leaks can result from damaged or improperly installed windows. This excess water can cause structural damage and lead to mould growth. Condensation, on the other hand, typically means poor insulation or ventilation issues need to be addressed. Otherwise, it can lead to moisture build up, damage window frames, and encourage mould growth. Both problems can drastically affect indoor air quality and the overall structural integrity of your home.
Deterioration
Neglected windows also deteriorate faster, especially if they’re exposed to harsh weather conditions without the proper protection or care. Wood frames can rot, metal frames can rust, and vinyl frames can crack and warp. Over time, these issues can become expensive to repair and might even require replacing your windows entirely. Regular maintenance can help identify and address these problems early, ensuring your windows remain in top condition for as long as possible.
Regular Window Cleaning & Maintenance
Here’s how to keep your windows sparkling clean and operating at their best. For a full guide, please read our Care & Maintenance brochure.
Best Practices for Cleaning Windows
Choose the Right Time and Weather Conditions
Clean your windows on a cloudy day or when they are not directly exposed to sunlight. Sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to dry too quickly, leaving streaks and spots.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
To get started, you’ll need a few basic supplies: a bucket, mild dish soap, a soft cloth or sponge, a squeegee, and a microfiber cloth for drying. Avoid using rough materials that can scratch the glass.
Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in warm water. Avoid harsh chemicals or ammonia based cleaners since they can damage the glass and frames.
Start with the Frames and Sills
Before cleaning the glass, wipe down the window frames and sills to remove dust and dirt. This keeps dirt from getting onto the glass.
Clean the Glass
Dip your cloth or sponge into the water and gently scrub the glass in a circular motion. For especially dirty windows, you may need to repeat this. Once the glass is clean, use a squeegee to remove the soapy water. Start at the top of the window and work your way down, wiping the squeegee blade with a microfiber cloth after each pass.
Inspecting and Repairing Window Seals
Regular inspections and repairs guarantee that your windows will perform at their highest levels, keeping you as cool and getting the breeze through your house this summer.
Tight seals are an essential part of any home’s windows for four key reasons.
Energy Efficiency
Properly sealed windows minimize indoor allergens, air leakage, and help maintain a consistent temperature indoors. This reduces the strain on your HVAC system and can help lower energy consumption and reduce utility costs.
Comfort
Drafts caused by broken or worn out seals can make rooms uncomfortable, especially near windows. Tight seals ensure that cool air stays inside during the summer and warm air stays inside during the winter for a more comfortable living environment.
Moisture Prevention
Proper seals prevent moisture from entering your home, which can lead to condensation and mould growth. Moisture can damage window frames, walls, and other structural elements, which can be expensive to repair. For an in-depth look at how to control the condensation around your home, please review our Condensation Information Package.
Noise Reduction
Seals also help soundproof your home. Tight seals can reduce the amount of external noise that enters, creating a quieter and more peaceful indoor environment.
Signs That Seals Need Replacement
Some signs your window seals need to be replaced are:
- Drafts and Cold Spots
- Condensation Between Window Panes
- Visible Gaps or Cracks
- Increased Energy Costs
Enhancing Window Insulation
Insulation plays an important role in the performance of your windows, how effectively they minimize energy consumption, and how well they keep your family comfortable indoors.
Here are some tried and true techniques to improve window insulation and keep your home cool this summer.
Double or Triple Glazing
The type of glazing your windows are fitted with can significantly impact how well they keep heat outside the home. Investing in double or triple glazing is a practical and efficient way to see and feel immediate results.
Double Glazing
Double glazed windows have two panes of glass with an insulating gas layer in between. This significantly reduces heat transfer, helping to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Double glazing also reduces noise pollution and improves security.
Triple Glazing
Triple glazed windows take insulation a step further. They have three panes of glass and two insulating gas layers, which offer enhanced thermal performance, making them ideal for extreme climates. Triple glazing provides the best energy efficiency and noise reduction but is often more expensive than double glazing.
Caulk and Weatherstripping
Caulking
Caulk is used to seal cracks and gaps around window frames where air can leak. It's important to choose the right type of caulk for your windows—silicone caulk is flexible and long lasting, and great for the exterior, while acrylic caulk is paintable and best suited for the interior.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping seals the movable parts of windows, such as sashes and frames. Different types of weatherstripping materials are available, from adhesive backed foam tape to V-strips and door sweeps. We recommend choosing the one that works with your window design and meets your installation needs.
Utilizing Window Treatments
The right window treatments not only elevate your home's visual appeal but they also provide an extra barrier against the outdoor elements.
Thermal Curtains
Thermal curtains are made with insulating materials that help block heat. They typically have multiple layers, including a dense inner lining that traps air and prevents heat from transferring. To maximize their functionality, keep thermal curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day.
Cellular Shades
Cellular shades, also referred to as honeycomb shades, create air pockets within the fabric. These pockets act as insulators, trapping air and reducing heat transfer through the windows. You can find these shades in different opacity levels, allowing you to balance natural light and insulation.
Blinds
Blinds are designed to help control light and heat. Reflective or light coloured blinds can deflect sunlight, and adjusting the slats to direct sunlight away from the interior can help maintain a cooler indoor environment.
Preparing Windows for Seasonal Changes
Summer comes around every year, and the more prepared you are for those rising temperatures, the more comfortable and at peace you’ll feel in your home. Some helpful tips to get started are:
- Inspect and repair any damage to seals and weatherstripping to prevent hot air from coming in.
- Ensure your window screens are in good condition to allow for ventilation without allowing debris or insects inside.
- Add temporary solutions like blackout curtains or thermal blinds
When Replacing Your Windows is the Solution
Sometimes, repairing or upgrading existing windows isn’t enough, and replacing them entirely is your best option. Old or damaged windows can lead to energy loss, poor insulation, and security issues—when that time comes, replacing windows can help improve the comfort, safety, and energy efficiency of your home.
Types of Windows to Choose From
There are various types of window styles to consider:
Single or Double Hung Windows
Single or double hung windows are designed in a traditional style with one or two operable sashes that slide vertically. They can be tilted inward for safe and convenient cleaning from inside the home, making them a popular choice for multi-story buildings. Their classic look complements a range of architectural styles, from colonial to contemporary.
Casement Windows
Casement windows provide excellent ventilation and unobstructed views. When closed, they create a tight seal, enhancing energy efficiency and security. Because they’re easy to open with a crank, they’re ideal for hard to reach places, such as over sinks or countertops.
Sliding Windows
Sliding windows operate horizontally along a track and are ideal for wide openings and easy operation. They offer a sleek, modern appearance and are perfect for rooms that require lots of natural light and ventilation. They’re low maintenance, great for spaces with limited vertical clearance, and can help merge indoor and outdoor spaces.
Bay and Bow Windows
Both bay and bow windows offer expansive views and additional interior space. Bay windows typically have a large fixed center window bounded by smaller, operable windows, creating a cozy nook or seating area. Bow windows are similar, but they have a more curved structure with multiple panels, enhancing natural light and visual appeal.
Stay Cool This Summer with Golden Windows
Golden Windows is a leader in the window and door manufacturing industry. We understand the importance of high performing windows and, with decades of experience, offer expert advice and high quality products designed to enhance the comfort and energy efficiency of our clients’ homes.
Our commitment to quality and innovation ensures that homeowners can rely on their windows to provide unparalleled performance year after year, no matter what Mother Nature brings. Visit one of our three showrooms in Kitchener, London and Kanata — or shop our selection of window styles, learn about the best patio doors, and explore our extensive online resources.