How to Tell If Your Windows Are Failing: A Simple 5-Step Home Inspection

Windows aren’t just something you look through—they’re one of the most important parts of your home’s comfort and efficiency. In a climate as extreme as Lubbock’s, failing windows can lead to higher electric bills, drafty rooms, dust buildup, and unnecessary strain on your HVAC system.

The good news? You can check the health of your windows in just a few minutes.

Here’s a simple 5-step home inspection any Lubbock homeowner can do to tell whether their windows are failing or need replacement.

Step 1: Look for Fogging or Moisture Between the Panes

If you see:

• Condensation

• A hazy film

• Moisture droplets

• Water streaksbetween the glass layers…

your window’s seal has failed.

What this means:

The insulating gas has escaped, the window has lost efficiency, and replacement is usually necessary. This issue is extremely common in Lubbock due to:

• Intense heat

• Strong winds

• Sun exposure

• Sudden cold fronts

This type of fogging can’t be wiped off, repaired, or ignored.

Step 2: Check for Drafts or Temperature Changes

Walk around your home and pause near each window. Ask yourself:

• Does this area feel colder in winter?

• Hotter in summer?

• Do you feel a slight breeze or airflow?

Simple test:

Hold a lit candle or lighter near the window frame.If the flame flickers, the window is leaking air.

Drafts lead directly to:

• Higher energy bills

• Uneven room temperatures

• Increased dust intrusion (a big issue in Lubbock)

If air is getting through, your window isn’t doing its job.

Step 3: Inspect the Window Frames and Sills

Frame condition tells you a LOT about window performance.

Look for:

• Cracking

• Warping or bowing

• Peeling paint

• Soft or spongy wood

• Gaps at the corners

• Dust collecting inside the frame

West Texas Red Flags:

In Lubbock, dust and wind can wear down frames faster, and homes with shifting foundations (common in our clay soils) may see frames separating from their openings.

Any structural damage usually means replacement is the smartest (and safest) long-term option.

Step 4: Test Ease of Operation

Windows should open and close smoothly.If yours:

• Stick

• Jam

• Slide unevenly

• Won’t stay open

• Are painted shut

• Feel loose or wobbly

…there’s likely an underlying issue.

Causes include:

• Warped frames

• Failed hardware

• Poor installation

• Age-related swelling

• Pressure from Lubbock’s shifting soil

A window that doesn’t open properly is a safety hazard—and a clear sign of failure.

Step 5: Listen for Outdoor Noise

If you hear:

• Wind whistling

• Traffic

• Neighbors

• Highway noise

• Construction

more than you should, your windows may be losing their insulating properties.

In high-wind areas of Lubbock—Southwest Lubbock, North Loop, and homes near open fields—older windows struggle with noise control.

Noise = Air leaks.

And air leaks = higher energy bills and reduced comfort.

Bonus Step: Check Your Energy Bills

Sudden increases in your electric bill—especially during Lubbock’s hottest months—often trace back to failing windows that can’t keep the heat out or the conditioned air in.

If your bill has crept up gradually, that’s another clue.

When It’s Time to Replace Your Windows

If your inspection reveals:

• Moisture between panes

• Drafts

• Warped frames

• Sticking or loose windows

• Excessive dust or noise

• Persistent hot/cold spots

…it’s likely time to consider replacement.

New, energy-efficient windows offer huge benefits for Lubbock homeowners:

• Lower electric bills

• Reduced dust and wind noise

• Better indoor comfort

• UV protection

• Modern curb appeal

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Let Hub City Home Improvement Help

We specialize in windows built specifically for Lubbock’s heat, wind, and dust.

Hub City Home Improvement offers:

• Free window inspections

• High-quality, energy-efficient replacement windows

• Professional installation

• Options tailored to West Texas weather