How Does Cold Weather Affect Windows and Doors?

With the winter months in full swing, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the cold weather. However, did you know that the winter weather can affect your windows and doors? In this post, one of the leading window and siding contractors in the area, Polk Contracting, Inc. shares how the cold weather affects them. 

Ice Formation

During the winter months, ice tends to accumulate near the open gaps on your doors and windows, along with the frames they’re installed in. When warm, moisture-laden air leaks out through these small openings, it will then freeze when it comes into contact with the cold air outside. In turn, this will damage your windows and doors whenever you try to open them since it scrapes the weatherstripping. Once your weatherstripping fails, your home will have no sealing, causing air drafts and water leaks.

Hardware Failure

Stress from the cold weather can cause problems for your hardware. For instance, your door replacement contractor will tell you that the latches, hinges, and handles of your door and windows can start to fail. They will suffer from structural damage due to the cold, resulting in different problems. Aside from affecting your home’s energy efficiency, it also compromises your home’s safety and privacy.

Warping and Shrinking

There are certain materials that can’t handle too much moisture since they will compromise their condition. For instance, wooden doors and window frames will shrink in extremely low temperatures and will warp and bend if it’s exposed to different levels of moisture and temperature changes. This is why it’s important to have your wood windows and doors treated with seals and paint to maintain their appearance and performance.

Polk Contracting, Inc. is one of the premier window and door contractors in northern Maryland. You can count on us for reliable services. We proudly serve homeowners in all of Hartford, Ceil and Baltimore Counties. We promise to provide homeowners with the best restoration service. To learn more about our products, give a call today at (410) 835-4586. You can also request a free estimate by filling out our contact form and we’ll get back to you.