Typical lifespan by material
| Material | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 20-30 years |
| Vinyl | 20-40 years |
| Wood | 30+ years with regular maintenance |
| Composite | 30+ years |
| Fiberglass | 40+ years |
Insulated glass seals often fail before frames do (commonly after 10-25 years) causing fogging between panes.
Signs it’s time to replace
- Drafts you can feel, even when windows are locked.
- Fog or condensation between the panes.
- Sashes that stick, won’t stay open, or won’t lock.
- Soft, rotted or cracked frames and sills.
- Single-pane glass in a cold or hot climate.
When repair makes sense
If frames are sound, you may only need new weatherstripping, balances or replacement glass.
What shortens a window’s life
- Poor installation: gaps, missing flashing or bad caulking let water reach the frame.
- Sun and heat: strong UV and heat age vinyl and finishes faster, especially dark colors.
- Moisture: wood frames rot when paint and caulk aren’t maintained.
- Hardware wear: balances, cranks and locks wear out but can usually be replaced.
How to make windows last longer
- Clean tracks and weep holes once or twice a year so water drains.
- Re-caulk exterior joints when caulk cracks or pulls away.
- Repaint or refinish wood every few years.
- Replace worn weatherstripping and balances before they damage the sash.
Replace or repair?
If only one or two components have failed and the frame is solid, repair is usually cheaper. If several windows have rot, failed seals and drafts, a whole-house replacement often makes more sense: see what it costs.
