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In short, it depends. After 20 years, the glass in your windows is less energy efficient, which can cause increased electricity bills. You might also see signs of water damage or natural wear and tear over the years. However, with proper maintenance, some window frames can last up to 50 years, so you may only need to replace the glass to save on energy. 

At the same time, window replacement is a major investment, so replacing the glass in rooms most impacted by outdoor temperatures is one way to avoid going all-in to replace your windows.

Window screens can help keep some heat out of your home, which is one benefit of using them in summer. It’s also the reason experts suggest removing your screens in winter—so it’s easier for the sun’s warmth to filter into your home. This will keep you cozier and potentially reduce your heating bills.

The rough opening refers to the framed space in the wall where the window will be placed. That means the full size of the space will be filled with both glass and frame once the new window is installed. For a standard window, a rough opening adds 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch to both the length and width.

The material around a window is simply called the window frame, but the individual pieces also have different names. The top portion of the frame is called the head, the side pieces are called jambs, and the bottom portion is called the sill. If you have multiple windows next to each other, you’ll also have a mullion, which is the frame piece that separates the individual windows. Windows stacked on top of each other are separated by a horizontal frame piece, which is called a transom.