Hidden rot’s a nightmare, agreed. I’ve run into it more than once—always ends up costing more than you plan. About loans, I get the hesitation. If your windows aren’t actively failing or causing moisture issues, sometimes basic maintenance is enough. Curious, though—has anyone here actually tracked their energy bills before and after a full window replacement? I wonder how much of a real-world difference it makes, especially in older homes.
- Did a full window swap two winters ago in my 1950s ranch.
- Before, heating bills were rough—like $250+ in Jan/Feb. After? Dropped maybe $40-50/month, but honestly, I was hoping for more.
- House felt less drafty, though, and no more condensation puddles on the sill.
- Not sure I’d take out a loan just for the savings, but comfort was a big upgrade for us.
- Maintenance is way easier now, too... old windows were a pain to clean.