Winnipeg winters find every weak spot in a house, and windows are usually the first to go. Check for these signs this fall, before the deep cold sets in.
1. You can feel a draft
Hold your hand near the frame on a windy day. If you feel moving air, the seals or weatherstripping have failed. A lit candle or incense stick works too: watch for the smoke bending.
2. Fog or moisture between the panes
Condensation inside a double- or triple-pane unit means the seal is broken. The insulating gas has escaped, and the window has lost much of its efficiency. Wiping won’t fix it because the moisture is sealed inside.
3. Heavy frost or ice on the inside
A little condensation on the coldest days can be normal. Thick frost or ice building up on the glass or frame is not. It usually means the window is too cold on the inside surface to handle normal household humidity.
4. Your heating bills keep climbing
If your furnace runs constantly and some rooms never feel warm, old windows are a likely cause. They are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in many homes.
5. Windows are hard to open, close or lock
Sticking sashes, warped frames and locks that won’t catch are more than an annoyance. A window that doesn’t close tight can’t seal out the cold.
6. Rot, cracks or soft spots in the frame
Press on the frame and sill. Soft or crumbling material, peeling paint and water stains all point to moisture damage that will get worse through freeze-thaw cycles.
7. Your windows are 20+ years old
Older units often have single panes, aluminum frames or failing seals. Even if they look fine, modern energy-efficient windows perform far better in our climate.
Don’t wait for spring
We install all winter, one window at a time, so your home stays warm while we work. Arctic Star windows are made in Canada, built for Manitoba weather and backed by a lifetime warranty.
Replacing several windows? Quote the whole house to get our volume discount, with $0 down.
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