Windows don't fail suddenly — they deteriorate gradually over years, often without homeowners realizing how much performance they've lost. By the time most GTA homeowners call us, they're dealing with significant discomfort and unnecessarily high energy bills. Here are the five most reliable signs that your windows have reached end of life.
First: condensation or fogging between the panes of glass. This is a definitive sign of seal failure. Modern double and triple-pane windows contain gas between the layers, sealed hermetically. When that seal breaks — typically after 15–20 years — moisture infiltrates and creates that foggy, streaky appearance that can't be cleaned because it's inside the glass unit. This also means you've lost all insulating benefit of the gas fill.
Second: you can feel cold air around the frame. Run your hand around the perimeter of your window on a cold winter day. Any noticeable cold air movement means the weatherstripping has failed, the frame has warped, or the seal between the frame and the rough opening has deteriorated. This is a significant source of heat loss — and it's costing you money every day.
Third: your windows are difficult to open, close, or lock. Stuck or difficult-to-operate windows aren't just inconvenient — they're a safety hazard (especially as emergency egress) and a security vulnerability. If your windows don't lock firmly, your home's security is compromised. This is often caused by frame warping, failed balance mechanisms (in double-hung windows), or deteriorated cranks and operators.
Fourth: visible damage to frames or sills. Rotting wood, cracked or chalky vinyl, peeling paint on aluminum frames, and water stains on sills below windows all indicate that water is infiltrating your window system. Left unaddressed, this damage spreads to the surrounding wall structure, turning a window replacement project into a much more expensive wall repair.
Fifth: your energy bills keep rising. If your heating and cooling costs have been climbing and you can't identify another cause, your windows are a prime suspect. An energy audit will confirm it. As a benchmark: windows more than 20 years old in Ontario almost certainly don't meet current Energy Star standards, and replacing them should deliver measurable reductions in your energy bills. Call Arev for a free assessment.