Windows fail in southern Colorado due to our unique atmospheric conditions. At elevations ranging from 6,000 to over 9,000 feet, the atmospheric pressure is drastically different from sea level, where most standard windows are manufactured and tested. The extra pressure causes additional stress on your windows, which many homeowners don’t realize until problems begin to emerge.
Pikes Peak Windows and Doors specializes in addressing these altitude-specific window challenges, offering expert solutions tailored to the unique environmental demands of the Colorado Springs area. With our deep knowledge of high-altitude window performance, we provide homeowners with customized window technologies that protect and enhance residential comfort on the Front Range.
Weather Extremes: Our Climate is the Reason Windows Fail in Southern Colorado
The Pikes Peak region experiences dramatically changing weather conditions, which further exacerbate the window problems caused by high altitude. Some common reasons windows fail in southern Colorado are:
- Temperature swings of 30-40 degrees within a single day create extreme expansion and contraction cycles that stress window materials and seals.
- Intense UV exposure accelerates the deterioration of window seals, frames, and other components.
- Freezing temperatures and significant snow loads test the structural integrity of windows at high altitudes.
- Arid, low-humidity climates cause wood components to dry out and shrink, potentially creating gaps in the window assembly.
When you compound these factors, it helps explain why windows fail in southern Colorado but last decades in other regions.
Common Signs Your Windows Are Suffering from Altitude Stress
If you can identify altitude-related window problems early, you could save significant expense and hassle in the long run. Some signs of altitude stress are:
- Visible distortion or bowing of the glass panes occurs as the trapped air expands and pushes outward on the glass.
- Fogging or condensation between the panes indicates that the seal has failed, allowing moisture to enter the previously sealed space.
- Operational issues begin to develop as frames warp under pressure, causing windows to stick, become difficult to open or close, or fail to lock properly.
- Increased drafts and cold spots near affected windows
- Higher energy bills as your home struggles to compensate for thermal transfer.
Sometimes, windows fail in southern Colorado. If your windows are experiencing any of the symptoms of altitude stress, then your home requires attention from window experts like Pikes Peak Windows and Doors.
Read Also: 5 Signs Your Home is Ready For Window Replacement
The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Altitude-Related Window Issues
Procrastinating on addressing altitude-affected windows typically leads to escalating problems and expenses. What begins as minor seal failures can progress to significant structural damage as moisture infiltrates your home’s framing, potentially leading to rot, mold, and even compromised structural integrity.
Decreased energy efficiency translates to consistently higher utility bills month after month and compromised windows can void some home insurance coverages, leaving you responsible in the event of weather-related damage. Perhaps most significantly, when windows fail in southern Colorado, they decrease your home’s market value and appeal to potential buyers, often getting flagged during home inspections and requiring expensive correction.
By addressing altitude-related window issues promptly, you can prevent escalating costs, protect your home’s value, and increase your family’s comfort.
Altitude-Specific Window Solutions for Colorado Homes
Fortunately, there are specialized window technologies specifically designed to thrive in high-altitude environments. Capillary tubes represent one solution, providing a controlled way for pressure to equalize between the insulated glass unit and the external environment, preventing the bowing and seal stress that occurs with standard windows.
Another approach involves using argon or krypton gas fills to maintain proper pressure relationships regardless of elevation. High-altitude window spacers are also available, offering greater flexibility and resilience to pressure changes, which helps prevent the common issues that make windows fail in southern Colorado.
Related: How to Choose the Perfect Home Window Replacement for Colorado’s Ever-Changing Weather
Professional Installation Matters Even More at Altitude
Proper installation requires precise adjustment of mounting and framing to accommodate the unique expansion and contraction patterns that occur in our environment. Experienced high-altitude installers know why windows fail in southern Colorado and understand the importance of:
- Creating appropriate drainage and ventilation systems and maintaining proper sealing against our strong winds and driving precipitation.
- The correct application of insulation and vapor barriers around windows, where air pressure differences can drive moisture into wall cavities through even tiny gaps.
- Properly calibrating operational components to account for the different atmospheric pressure ensures smooth operation throughout the window’s lifespan.
- Timing installations to avoid extreme temperature conditions that could affect the setting of sealants and adhesives.
With so many altitude-specific variables influencing window performance, professional installation by a local team, like Pikes Peak Windows and Doors, ensures your investment delivers its full potential value.
Why Pikes Peak Windows and Doors Stands Above the Competition when Windows Fail in Southern Colorado
As a family-owned and operated company with over 12 years of specialized experience, Pikes Peak Windows and Doors brings unmatched expertise to altitude-specific window challenges. Unlike many competitors, our distinction comes from:
Family Oversight at Every Stage:
Carla, Cameron, or Christian Krautschun personally handles every aspect of your project, from initial measurement and quotation through installation and final inspection, ensuring meticulous attention to altitude-specific details that others might miss.
Specialized Product Selection:
We’ve carefully curated relationships with only the best window manufacturers that produce windows specifically engineered for high-altitude environments. When your windows fail in southern Colorado, our team offers solutions that mainstream providers often lack access to.
Installation Excellence:
Our installation teams are specifically trained in altitude-appropriate techniques that account for the unique pressure differentials and weather conditions of the Pikes Peak region.
Superior Housekeeping Policy:
We prioritize leaving your home cleaner than when we arrived, recognizing that thorough cleanup is paramount when working with the precision requirements of high-altitude window installation.
Relationship-Based Approach:
When you work with Pikes Peak Windows and Doors, you’re not just a number. You become part of our windows and patio doors family, receiving personalized attention that ensures your specific altitude-related concerns are thoroughly addressed.
Windows Fail in Southern Colorado, It’s Normal! Get Replacements that Last from Pikes Peak Windows and Doors
Window solutions installed by companies lacking high-altitude experience typically begin failing within just a few years, forcing homeowners into premature replacement cycles. By choosing Pikes Peak Windows and Doors, you’re investing in windows installed with the specialized knowledge that only a dedicated local expert can provide.
Invest in peace of mind knowing your home is protected by windows engineered explicitly for the elevation challenges that make our beautiful Colorado landscape so unique yet demanding on residential structures.
When your windows fail in southern Colorado, contact Pikes Peak Windows and Doors by giving us a call or scheduling your free consultation online. With Colorado Springs’ #1 rated window specialists by your side, you’ll experience the difference that altitude-specific windows can make!