How Can Winter Make an Impact on Your Doors and Windows?

Winter, out of all the seasons, is what you should be highly concerned about for your doors and windows. Unless you’ve made precautions on winterizing your home, your doors and windows will be facing several tests during winter. Our expert window installers at Renewal by Andersen® of Alaska explains what you need to know:

Condensation

Normally, you’ll get this when the warm and humid air in your home is unable to escape through your windows. While seeing this in your windows means you have good energy efficiency, if you see condensation forming between the panes of your multi-paned windows, then your window seals may have a leak. Make sure to call in a professional to check and repair your seals immediately.

Shrinking and Warping

There are certain materials that can be more affected by the temperature and humidity during the winter season. In particular, wooden window frames and doors tend to shrink in extreme cold while they can warp or bow in extreme humidity. While this can be avoided by frequently treating the material with paint or sealer, for better convenience, have our trusted window replacement contractor install a window that uses Fibrex®. Our proprietary material is twice as strong as vinyl so it doesn’t experience the same degree of distortion.

Ice Buildup

You’ll usually see this happening in the open spaces between doors and windows, as well as the frames they’re installed in. When warm, moisture-rich air escapes through their small openings and comes in contact with the cold outside air, it freezes and ice begins to build up. Depending on the amount of ice buildup, it can even be difficult to open a door or window without damaging your weather stripping.

Hardware Failure

Most doors and windows include latches, handles, hinges and other mechanisms that make them work. Ice buildup and cold-weather stress, however, can easily damage or jam these mechanisms. Casement and awning windows are especially affected as they have a more complex opening mechanism than their sliding counterparts.

As a trusted contractor for replacement windows in Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula, The Valley, Fairbanks, and surrounding AK areas, Renewal by Andersen of Alaska only provides the best products for your home. Call us at (907) 206-6986 or you can visit our website.