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It’s a common problem among Dayton home owners: you push on the glass portion of the window, and it wiggles or rattles within the sash. When a storm arrives and the wind blows in the right direction, an annoying rattling noise may fill your home as the window shakes around. But as bothersome as this noise may be, windows that rattle are more than just an annoyance. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the problems caused by rattling windows, along with some solutions for dealing with them.
The Problems With Rattling Windows
Beyond the noisiness, rattling windows present a security risk. If the window glass rattles the right way within the sash, it could crack, scattering glass all over your floor. Wind, rain, and intruders are then free to enter your home. A window with loose glass is also easier for an intruder to break, even if the glass pane is in otherwise good shape.
Windows that rattle are also a threat to your energy-efficiency. If the window is moving within the sash, then you can bet air is also escaping between the glass and the sash material. The rooms with rattling windows will feel colder, and your energy bills may climb higher and higher.
Short-Term Solution: Rope Caulk
To temporarily put an end to the rattling, you can press some rope caulk into the crevice between the sash and the window glass. Rope caulk is sold at most home improvement stores. It has a texture similar to sticky tack, but it comes in long ropes. You’ll need to unroll a length of the caulk, and then use your fingers to firmly position it along the edge of the window sash. You might want to use two side-by-side strands of rope caulk to give the window more stability.
Rope caulk should stop air from leaking in and stop the rattling noise. However, it won’t do a perfect job of preventing water from leaking in. A small amount might still make it through if the rain hits the window at the right angle and the caulk is not sealed as tightly as it could be. Rope caulk does not necessarily make an aging window more secure, either.
Long-Term Solution: Window Replacement
Usually, by the time windows start rattling, they are quite aged — so it comes as no surprise that they need to be replaced. But what if your windows are only a few years old and are already experiencing this problem? First, check to see whether your windows are still under warranty. If they are, your window company should come and replace them, free-of-charge.
If your windows have vinyl sashes, this could be another explanation for the rattling. Vinyl windows have become quite popular because they are affordable, but in a Dayton home where the temperature and humidity levels fluctuate so wildly throughout the seasons, the vinyl can crack, leaving the glass loose within the sash. You’re best off replacing your rattling vinyl windows with more durable ones made from Fibrex®.
You don’t have to go on living with rattling windows. Use some rope caulk as a temporary solution, and thencontact Renewal by Andersen to schedule a free, in-home consultation. Your expert technicians will recommend the quiet and efficient replacement windows that are best for your Dayton home.