Truth about Plastic on Windows during Winter: Why Replacing those Old Windows is Better

The average life expectancy for windows is approximately 12 to 15 years. Older windows may have reduced life expectancy as compared to modern ones. Wood windows may also not last quite as long as vinyl windows.

If you have old windows in your Toronto home, you could be feeling quite a bit of draftiness, more so on the colder days and nights. When you walk past your windows, you will feel the cold air pushing in against you. On those windows and even doors that are draftier than others, you may even experience what feels like a bit of a cold breeze moving past you.

Many Toronto homeowners, instead of replacing their outdated windows, will pick up a thin plastic material and tape from their local hardware store and place it over those windows as way to cut down on the direct line draft into their home.

This may be effective, but only to a certain degree. Old windows that are drafty are still going to cost the homeowner a significant amount of money on their heating expenses throughout the winter season. The plastic is only a thin line of defense against mild draftiness. They are not really going to be too effective at protecting against strong drafts.

For example, a double glazed window that no longer has a protective seal against the cold can actually allow 40% to 80% more cold air in then a triple glazed window that is sealed with krypton or argon gas. Adding a piece of plastic over that window may only improve energy efficiency by 1% to 2%.

The best option for windows that are at least 15 years old is to completely replace them with modern, energy efficient ones. You’ll save money every month on your home heating bills and no longer have to deal with the muss, fuss, and mess of those thin plastic sheets congesting your windows until April (or May, depending on how long this winter sticks around).

Call on Platinum Windows and Doors to find out just how much you could save with new, replacement windows for your Toronto home.