Windows and doors in the home may show signs suggesting that they need replacement, especially if they have been in use for an extended period. Replacing windows and doors in the home can result in a significant decrease in your energy bills and restore your home’s appealing look. However, patio doors in homes are usually not used as much as the side doors or garage doors, therefore, it can take a while before you can notice the damages that may have occurred to them. To ensure that you maintain energy efficiency and safety, here are some of the signs for when you need to replace your patio door.
- Increase in Energy Bills
Damaged windows and doors can result in air leaks, and this can cause the cooling and heating system of the house to overwork while trying to balance the temperature in the home. The overworking of the HVAC system will lead to an increase in your energy bills, which lets you know that it is time to change the patio doors.
- Difficulty in Opening and Closing
One of the easiest signs to spot in a patio door that needs replacement is how hard or easy it is to open or close. If you are having a hard time when closing or opening your door, you should take this as a sign that you may need to replace it. Windows and doors may become hard to open or close when they start to stick to the jamb, which is caused by the expansion and contraction of the window or door.
- Visible Cracks or Gaps
You know it is time to replace your door when you can see cracks on the doors or gaps between the doors and the frame. These gaps and cracks can increase energy bills if they are left unattended because weather elements like rain and snow may seep in through them, and it may lead to loss of heat provided by the HVAC system in the home.
- Outdated Design
After a long period of use, the patio door design would become outdated, which may negatively impact your home’s exterior aesthetics. You can ask for a third party’s opinion on what they think about the design of your door. If the feedback is not as good as you expected, you should consider replacing your patio door’s layout or replacing the door entirely.
- External Noise
If you can hear noise coming from outside the home, like noise from vehicles, passersby when your windows and doors are shut tight, this may signify that the acoustic insulation provided by your patio doors is beginning to wear out.
Some of these signs listed above may require total replacement of your patio doors. If you observe any problem with your door, you should check for professional windows and doors contractors within your area.