Is Your Home Ready for Another Michigan Winter?
Michigan weather has a way of finding the weak spots in a house. A window that didn’t get much attention in September can become a lot more noticeable when temperatures fall and you’re sitting next to it in January.
Before winter really settles in, take a closer look at your windows. You don’t have to be a window expert to notice the clues that something might deserve attention.
Start With the Simple Test: How Does the Room Feel?
Walk through your house on a cold or windy day and pay attention to how different rooms feel.
Is there one chair by the window that nobody wants to sit in during winter? Does one bedroom consistently feel colder than the others? Can you feel air movement around a window frame?
Those observations won’t diagnose the exact cause, but they can tell you where to look more closely.
Air leakage is also one reason installation matters. When discussing window installation, Andersen separates a building enclosure into water, air, thermal, and vapor-control layers. Andersen notes that getting water and air-control continuity right is important for managing moisture around window openings. Installing windows for vapor control
That is one reason there’s more to a successful window project than simply picking attractive glass and frames.
Check the Window From the Inside
Take a few minutes to inspect each window closely.
Look at the frame and trim. Check around the sash. Open and close operable windows and make sure everything seems to move and lock as intended.
Some things homeowners commonly notice include:
- Air movement around the window
- Difficulty opening or closing it
- A lock or sash that doesn’t seem to operate correctly
- Deteriorated or damaged areas around the window
- Moisture that keeps appearing in an unexpected place
You don’t necessarily need to know the solution yet. The first step is simply figuring out what’s happening.
Don’t Automatically Blame the Window for Condensation
Here’s an important distinction.
Condensation on the inside surface of a window doesn’t automatically mean the window itself has failed.
According to Andersen, interior condensation occurs when warm, moisture-containing indoor air meets a cooler glass surface. Cooking, showering, laundry and even breathing all contribute moisture to indoor air. Condensation on windows
Andersen recommends winter indoor humidity generally not exceed 30 to 35 percent when you’re dealing with interior condensation, although the appropriate level can vary with conditions in the home. Their suggested steps include checking ventilation, using bathroom exhaust fans, promoting air movement and adjusting humidification when appropriate. Condensation on the Interior of Window or Patio Door Glass
The location of condensation matters too. Moisture on the inside, outside or between panes can mean different things, so don’t assume all foggy glass has the same cause. [andersenwindows.com]
Think Beyond the Glass
When most of us look at a window, we look straight through it.
But the entire opening matters.
The frame, installation and connection between the window and the surrounding wall all contribute to how that opening functions. Professional installation is especially important because water, air and thermal-control details have to work together. [andersenwindows.com]
This is also where it helps to have someone evaluate the situation rather than jumping immediately to replacement.
Sometimes the conversation is about the window itself. Other times, there may be an installation, sealing, moisture or ventilation issue that needs to be understood first.
When Replacement Becomes Part of the Conversation
If you’re consistently noticing problems around older windows, it may be worth having them looked at before another full winter passes.
At MANS Lumber & Home, windows are part of our full-service home improvement offering, and professional window installation is available. MANS also lists Andersen Windows, Sierra Pacific and JELD-WEN among its window and door vendor partners. The MANS website describes window replacement as a process our team can help homeowners understand before making decisions. [manslumber.com]
That doesn’t mean every draft calls for a new window. It means you should know what you’re dealing with before deciding what comes next.
MANS Tip
Before the next really cold Michigan day, spend ten minutes walking from window to window. Note where you feel air movement, see recurring moisture or have trouble operating the window. A short list of problem areas makes it much easier to know what needs a closer look.
