Summer is the Time to Replace Old Windows

If you’ve been thinking about tackling some home improvement projects this summer, don’t delay! The dog days of summer are heading our way, and before you know it the cold weather will be coming back. These all-too-brief warmer months are ideal for outdoor projects like updating your home’s exterior, and they’re great for any work that requires a well-ventilated work space. If you let these nice days slip by, colder temperatures at the end of the season could hamper your efforts—or, in some cases, even negatively affect the quality of the improvements.

Old, drafty windows are a major cause of heat loss during the winter months. They result in higher heating costs and lower levels of indoor comfort. If last year’s annual autumn ritual of caulking around the windows didn’t do much to stop the chill from seeping through, it’s probably time to call in the professionals for a window replacement.

There are several reasons to do your window replacement when it’s warm.  First, you won’t be letting in chilly drafts that will force you to pump up your heat—and therefore your heating bill! This is especially true if you’re replacing multiple windows.

Second, caulk adheres better in the warmer weather than it does in the freezing cold. Ideally, latex caulk should only be applied when temperatures range between 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use silicone, you may be able to apply it in colder weather, but you’ll need to warm the caulk before applying so that it will flow smoothly and evenly.  But be careful not to try this when it’s too warm – caulk doesn’t apply properly at temperatures above 90 degrees, either.

Finally, there’s what’s contractors call the “movement of the substrate.” Some materials—particularly vinyl and aluminum—expand in warm weather and contract in the cold. If you or your contractor caulk your windows when the weather is too cold, the caulk could crack and split when the materials eventually contract as a result of temperature drop.

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