How Does Minneapolis Weather Affect Windows?

Let’s face it, here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes we also live in the land of record-breaking weather extremes. And often times our climate can affect the exterior of our homes in a negative way, especially windows.  Here are some things to be aware of when Mother Nature throws curve balls. (And this past winter and current spring conditions mean there have been plenty of those.)

Affects of Weather on Windows

Our climate often means extremes in temperature, and rapid changes are not unusual.  It’s annoying and frustrating for humans, but it can also be destructive to windows.

• Severe cold can cause window frames (most particularly wood) to shrink, and extreme heat can cause expansion.  Both of these are exacerbated with moisture.  Repeated cycles of shrinking and expansion result in cracks in the frame as well as warping.  Once those windows are warped they don’t fit snugly in their openings anymore, and you get air leaks (both in and out) and moisture infiltration.  Neither of those is good for your window frames, and both result in higher utility bills.
• Exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading as well as cracking and deterioration.  
• Rapid temperature changes can also cause windows to bow out, resulting in an unsightly appearance. 
• All of the above will affect the structural integrity of your windows.  In addition to wasting energy, you may have issues with them opening and closing properly. 
• And then of course there’s hail.  Our Twin Cities metro area often gets hit with hail, and golf-ball size nuggets are not unheard of.  Hail that’s wind-driven can crack or dent window frames and break glass. 

 

For Minneapolis Weather, We Suggest Fiberglass Window Frames

Other than moving, what can homeowners do?  Our best suggestion is to replace your wood windows with fiberglass.  Severe weather doesn’t affect fiberglass like it does wood.

Good quality vinyl windows hold up against our weather better than wood as well.  But we understand some people prefer the look of real wood window frames on the interiors of their homes.  If that’s you, we highly suggest you choose wood clad windows that have a maintenance-free, weather-resistant exterior cladding.  We’ve got some great options in fiberglass windows from Marvin, as well as clad wood windows from Weather Shield.  We are an authorized Weather Shield dealer as well as a Marvin Authorized Replacement Contractor.  Or you can choose quality vinyl windows from ProVia.

As THE replacement window contractor for the greater Minneapolis area, our goal is to provide each customer with the ideal window solution for them, their homes, and their budget.  And that includes windows that work well in our climate.  To find out more about what we can do for your home, contact us today for a free in-home consultation or a private appointment at our door and window showroom in Savage.

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.