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Garden windows last about 15 to 30 years, depending on the materials, ongoing maintenance, and local climate. Fiberglass and wood windows tend to have the longest life spans as long as you keep up with cleaning, lubricating, and refinishing them. Make sure to inspect your windows about once a year for signs of trouble, like worn-out seals, frame damage, or cracks in the panes.

Storm windows have about the same life span as standard windows—between 20 and 30 years. Vinyl and wood storm windows last longer than aluminum, but they all fall within that life span range. Of course, how long your storm windows last will depend on how much severe weather they see. Direct impacts, in particular, can quickly reduce how long your storm windows last.

There are a few reasons your crank windows might not close. First, determine if your window crank is working properly and opening and closing the window when you turn it. If it’s not, the crank may need replacing, cleaning, or lubricating. Another reason your windows aren’t closing could be dirt and debris in the window hinges or sash. Finally, make sure your window lock operator is set in the unlocked position and isn’t blocking the window from fully closing. If you’re still having trouble closing your window, it may be worth consulting a local window contractor.

It’s easy to tell if you have low-E windows. Light a match or grab a pen light and hold it up to your windows. You should see multiple reflections in the window—four for double-pane windows. If one of the reflections is a slightly different color than the other three, you have low-E windows. If you don’t have low-E windows, all the reflections will be the same color.