Seasonal Window Care: Preparing Your Windows for Summer

Summer is associated with so much fun. Sunshine, beaches, dancing around bonfires, and cold drinks. We know just how much our community enjoys the warm, sunny weather. There are festivals in Piedmont Park, weekend trips to Lake Lanier or Tybee Island, a day in nature at the Tallulah Gorge, or a simple afternoon on your front porch with Georgia peach iced tea. Summer in Atlanta is special. You don’t want to miss out because of something that could have been prevented. Making sure your windows are prepared for whatever comes your way is just a few minutes that could save you from hours of headaches later. 

Understanding the Atlanta Climate

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of window care, we thought we should emphasize how unique Atlanta’s climate is. If you’ve lived here for any amount of time in the summer, you already know. Atlanta summers can have record-high humidity and are a regular customer for storms. The high winds and moisture are tough on windows and can lead to damage. Condensation, mold growth, and air leakage are just a few of the issues that can arise.

Tip #1: Inspect and Repair

The best place to start is just taking a good look around your windows. You’re looking for any signs of damage. There are the major ones, such as broken or cracked glass; windows that don’t open or close properly or easily; and rotting, cracked, or pitted window frames. Then there are the ‘minor’ ones, damage that you think ‘I can put that off for a little while’, such as worn-out weather stripping, broken seals, or perpetual fog between the panes of glass. All of these can lead to drafts and every homeowner’s nightmare, water damage. To help you, we’ve made an extensive list of things to look out for. We promise the read is worth it, and the process after will only take as long as it takes to walk to each window and do a little more than a glance. 

Tip #2: Clean Your Windows

Pollen. The scourge that affects all those with allergies. Even if you don’t have allergies, it can be annoying. It leaves that yellowish film on everything, including your windows. Pile that on top of rain spots and dirt and dust, and your windows might as well be walls. Cleaning your windows inside and out clears that view. This lets in light, brightening your spaces, and clears the dirt and grime from the actual mechanisms that make your window function. Who knows, maybe you will find out that there was damage hiding under that dirt, and you just saved yourself from long-lasting damage.

To clean your windows, we recommend using a mixture of water and vinegar or a gentle glass cleaner. Don’t use harsh chemicals, they can lead to the corrosion of your windows’ frames or glass panes. An old-school trick to try, if you hate lint, is to use newspaper(non-glassy) instead of cloth or paper towels to wipe away the cleaner.

Tip #3: Address Condensation Issues

This is one of the most common problems that Atlanta’s humidity produces. If you are noticing foggy glass, water droplets, or a mini rain cloud that can’t be wiped away, your window might be ‘smoke signaling’ a broken seal. This not only affects the viewing potential of your window but also messes with your indoor environment. You might not notice because of your HVAC, but that means it’s running more, driving up your energy bills, reducing your energy efficiency, and making you spend more money. Some of you might be scoffing at the idea of energy efficiency, but we promise it isn’t a scam. You can learn more about it here, and it will hopefully answer some of those questions and doubts.

Tip #4: Ensure Proper Ventilation

As we all know, air conditioning is probably one of the best inventions ever, but it can only help so much when it comes to humidity. One fundamental piece of the equation is good ventilation. No one wants the inside of their home to be humid. It’s uncomfortable and annoying. Opening your windows for the cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings or late evenings, is one solution. Also, consider using your ceiling fans for circulation and exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen. They pull the hot, moist air out of your home. 

Tip #5: Check Weatherstripping

If your weatherstripping has started to fall off, or is torn, cracked, or so old it’s lost all bounciness, it’s time to replace. Even the smallest gaps around your windows can allow air leakage and temperature transfer. This means that hot, humid air you’re trying to escape from, is making its way inside your home, which is quite frankly frustrating in the kindest of terms. When your checking your windows, be sure to feel for drafts; this is a big indicator for dysfunctional weatherstripping. 

Bonus Fact: Our windows all come equipped with fin-seal weatherstripping. If you don’t know what that means, no worries, it’s a special weatherstripping that locks into the sashes(the slidey part of your window), and it’s like whale teeth as in it’s fuzzy rather than rubbery. 

Tip #6: Use Window Treatments

No, we don’t mean curing or sealing or some other big project like that. We mean blinds, shades, or curtains. If you want to take a step further, you could do something like shutters or awnings, but that’s your own prerogative. What these window treatments do is reduce the amount of heat entering your home via light. In rooms that recieve a lot of sunlight, like south-facing rooms, you should consider reflective or thermal-backed curtains. Though if these rooms are a work room or office, maybe only close your shades for the hottest part of the day. This article shares some information about how light improves mood and productivity. 

Tip #7: Regular Maintenance 

We recommend once a quarter with the changing of the seasons that you check and clear any debris from the window tracks, double checking the locks all work, and that your windows all open and close without difficulty. This is just a simple wipe down and then using WD-40 on any parts that could use a little lubrication. Doing those couple of things can stop any small issues from evolving into big, costly issues. 

The Window Source of Atlanta Promise

Windows are a significant investment into your home. These tips are to make sure that your investment lasts as long as it can and your windows keep performing optimally. Remember, we are here to help you. If you need a full replacement, we’ve got you covered. If you need some advice or guidance, our team is ready and willing to help. When you choose Window Source of Atlanta, all of our windows come prepared with the best technologies to resist the effects of the changing seasons. Then, to make it all better, we also have the best window warranty. So next time you see that condensation build up or feel a draft, call us up at (470) 275-5159 or contact us online to set up your appointment and get expert advice for free.