5 Signs Your House Has Drafty or Leaking Windows

The crisp snow and clean ice of winter weather may look beautiful through your living room window, but the very last thing you’d want to do is invite it inside. However, that’s exactly what those leaking, drafty windows do.

Around the time of the first frost, windows that leak air really start to frustrate homeowners by making certain rooms less comfortable and causing your heating bills to spike higher than they should be. At Choice Home Remodeling, we know windows like no one else – and we can help you discover whether you have leaky or drafty windows.

Brick house with old drafty windows

Read our blog to learn the 5 signs you have drafty windows – and see why this is the best time of year for a window upgrade.

 

Do Your Windows Need Replaced?

Take the guesswork out of wondering if your windows need to be replaced. Any of these 5 signs are a warning that you may be dealing with leaky home windows.

  1. You Feel a Draft – This one goes with the territory of drafty windows. When examining to see if your windows need to be replaced, see if you can physically feel a breeze or draft coming through or around the sides of your windows. If you do, that’s a sign your windows gave up on their job a long time ago – and you need an upgrade.
  2. The Glass is Fogged Up – If you notice that the windows in your home fog up like the inside of car, that’s a sign that their quality has been compromised. Leaking home windows start to fog when the seal between the panes of glass is broken and cold air is getting inside. With the seal broken, you can be sure that cold outdoor air is seeping inside your home.
  3. Your Energy Bills are Higher – If nothing changes with your heating system yet your winter energy bills skyrocket, that’s a sign your home has drafty windows that need some attention. Since more and more cold air is pouring into your home, your heating system has to work just to maintain the same temperature as before. You end up footing the bill for it as a result.
  4. The Windows or Weather Stripping is Damaged – It’s time to take a close look at your windows. If you see signs of damage on the interior frames or the exterior weather stripping, that alone is cause for concern. We’ve seen window frames so damaged that you could actually see through the holes and cracks. Rule of thumb: if your windows frames are letting in light, they’re letting in the frigid air, too.
  5. They Don’t Match Your Décor – Serious point. If your windows match your décor from two renovations ago, that’s a sign they are pretty old. Old windows tend to leak more aggressively than the radiator on a 1978 Chevy Nova. Plus, since at Choice Home Remodeling we know that style matters, we also know that your windows have a second job: looking beautiful.

If your windows are letting you down on both accounts, let us help. Learn about today’s cutting-edge window trends.

 

Options for Window Upgrades

Now that you know how to answer, “Do your windows leak?” – it’s time to learn what to do about it. The only thing to do about old drafty windows? Upgrade to something stylish and energy efficient.

At Choice Home Remodeling, we offer a wide variety of window styles and materials. Two of our most popular options include vinyl windows and wood frame windows.

Our vinyl windows outfitted with high-efficiency glass can cut your energy bills dramatically, all while evoking a wide range of designs, from rustic to modern. On top of those advantages, our OKNA vinyl windows boast a budget-friendly price point as well as a lifetime warranty.

New vinyl replacement windows on home

See more about our namesake replacement windows.

 

The Best Time to Upgrade Your Drafty Windows

You know how to identify drafty windows – and you know about your awesome upgrade options. One thing you might not know, though, is that winter is one of the BEST times to upgrade your leaking windows.

Choice Home Remodeling installers work year-round, including during the winter months to perform upgrades. We often recommend getting windows installed in the winter because now is the time when you need efficient windows the most. If you have your windows upgraded during the winter, we GUARANTEE you’ll feel more comfortable and you’ll notice the difference on your energy bill, too.

Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our window consultants.   

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We recently completed a major renovation with Choice Home Remodeling, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. This project involved a full first-floor layout change, a brand new kitchen, adding a bathroom, and a roof replacement—so it was a significant undertaking. From start to finish, their team handled everything with professionalism, organization, and clear communication.

One thing that really sets them apart is their consistency. We’ve used Choice Home Remodeling for several projects over the years, including smaller jobs, and they approach every project—big or small—with the same level of care, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.

Throughout this renovation, they kept us informed every step of the way and were always proactive when it came to addressing questions or unexpected challenges. The craftsmanship is excellent, and it’s obvious they take pride in their work.

We’re thrilled with how everything turned out and would highly recommend Choice Home Remodeling to anyone looking for a reliable, skilled, and trustworthy contractor.
Response from the owner:Thank you Keith for your kind words and five star review. It is always a pleasure working with you. We can't wait to get your pictures posted to our website!!
They always do a good job, and the installers were friendly. And answered any questions I had.
Response from the owner:Thank you Penne for the review and allowing us to work with you again, this time on your Patio Door. We look forward to how we can assist you in the future.
We recently replaced our original 2007 steel front door and had a great experience with Choice. Tim was very patient and helpful throughout the process, making sure we found the right door for our style and budget. We made three trips before deciding and never felt pressured.

The installer was also excellent—professional, polite, and clearly very skilled. You can tell he takes pride in his work.

We’re extremely happy with the end result and would definitely recommend Choice to anyone looking to upgrade their front door.
Response from the owner:Van, thank you so much for the five star review. It was a pleasure working with you again and we look forward to how we can help you in the future. All of us here at Choice appreciate your kind words and referrals!
We have used Choice a couple of times now for replacing windows. They are great people to work with and Evan did a great job getting the project completed within our timeframe!
Response from the owner:Thank you Dawson! We appreciate you coming back to us with your window replacements. We look forwards to partnering together with your future home remodeling needs.