First thing is first, you need to assess exactly what you’re dealing with. If you decide to inspect your doors and windows yourself, here is a list of things telling you it’s time for repair or replacement:

• Surface Level: This first step is nice and simple. Take a peek around, keeping an eye out for cracking/stripping paint, mold, rot, and any other types of damage or wear and tear. For double-paned windows, look out for fogging as that indicates a faulty or damaged seal. Don’t forget to check out your seals or any caulking around your doors and windows. Check all frames for breakage and warping. See if you can spot any gapping. Finally, give your screens some attention – looking for rips and weak/warping spots.

• Functionality: Next you will test out the knobs, hinges, and other hardware on each door and window. Do they open and close properly? Are they noisy, loose, or even sticky? You should also do a draft test with either your hands or a candle to see if any air is coming through where it shouldn’t. Don’t forget about your window sills, door thresholds, and transitions. Any damage to these elements is an automatic threat to the rest of the structure.

• Surrounding Area: It is also vital to check around your doors and windows for other signs of issues like water damage or mold in walls, floors, and ceilings, as it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint a very subtle crack or gap that has led to moisture and/or mold retention.

Onto a sunnier subject, for a sunroom, you will want to take time to consider where you would locate it and what style you want it to be. 

Chesterfield Fence & Deck offers custom designs for sunrooms, as well as: 

• Living Space Elements Sunrooms

• Conservatory Rooms

• Four-Season Sunrooms

• Screen Rooms

Need some ideas? Check out our sunroom inspiration blog to get your creative juices flowing!