I would guess that many of you probably haven’t checked on the windows and doors of your home any time recently, and considered whether you should replace anything any time soon. In many cases, the sealing around the exterior windows and doors of your home can be cracked or missing, and that could be bringing up your heating and electric bills.

When Is It Time to Upgrade Doors and Windows?

With a little research, you can determine whether or not it’s time to replace windows and doors in your home.

Watching Your Energy Bill

Ladies and gentlemen, have you been watching your heating or air conditioning costs rise year after year with seemingly no answer as to why? It might just be because you need to replace windows or doors. Dry and cracked sealant around the exterior doors and windows of the home tend to create drafts of air, or even water, causing your heat or AC to work overtime. If you think this may be your case, why not hire a professional to come take a look? You may not even need to replace any hardware, and often times can get by just resealing the fixtures.

Read: Home Energy Saving Tips

New & Improved Tech

Advances in weatherproof glass windows technology have come a long way, and if you haven’t replaced windows in your home in the last 15 years or so, it could be time. But replacing your older windows and doors with new ones isn’t the worst thing. In fact, it could increase the value of your home. Not only will you reap the benefits if one day you decide to sell, but also while you’re living there.

15-Year Rule of Thumb

Professionals will tell you that you should have your windows and doors looked at every 15 to 30 years. It’s in this time period that window and door sealant either begins to decay, or that new technology has improved the hardware that’s available. Take a walk around your home when you have time, and closely examine your windows and doors. Look at the condition of the sealant and the frame, and you can use your best judgment as to whether or not you think a professional is needed.

Also Read: How to Choose the Right Patio Door

Upgrade to a Better View

If you come to the conclusion that your windows or patio doors have served long enough, use it as an opportunity to upgrade more than the fixtures. Do you have a view that is not optimized with the current layout? Do you feel you could use more natural light in a specific room? Is the patio door opening is a way that is not quite practical? Replacing doors and/or windows is more than improving energy efficiency. It’s also beautifying your space.