Milwaukee windows deal with more than cold. Wind and moisture come off Lake Michigan, temperatures can differ between the lakefront and a few miles inland, and many homes in Bay View, Wauwatosa and the East Side still have windows older than the people living behind them. If you are planning a replacement, it makes sense to ask how long do Renewal by Andersen windows last?
Here is a practical look at window lifespans in the Milwaukee area, plus what Renewal by Andersen learned from windows that spent 30 years in a Minnesota home.
The short answer on window lifespan
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors puts typical window life at 20 to 40 years for vinyl and fiberglass, 30 years or more for wood with regular upkeep, and 15 to 20 years for aluminum. The sealed glass in a double-pane unit can start to fog after 8 to 20 years if the seal fails.
Where your home sits changes those numbers. A window facing the lake in Mequon or Racine takes more wind and moisture than one tucked under a porch roof in New Berlin.
What Lake Michigan does to a window
The Wisconsin State Climate Summary notes that Lake Michigan moderates temperatures along the shoreline, and that heavy rain events of 2 inches or more have become more frequent in recent years. For a window, that means a lot of wind-driven rain and humidity on top of a standard Wisconsin winter.
Moisture is what shortens a window’s life fastest. It gets into wood sills and sashes and leads to rot. It works its way through gaps at the edges of a poorly installed frame. The U.S. Department of Energy points out that composite frames are very stable and resist moisture and decay better than wood, which is worth weighing in a lake climate.
Milwaukee homes and their windows
The age and style of your home affect how long your current windows have lasted and what you need next.
Cream City brick homes and bungalows. Many older homes on the East Side and in Bay View have original wood windows or early replacements that have been painted, patched and repainted for decades. Custom sizing matters here so new windows fit the original openings.
Duplexes and two-family flats. Upper units take more wind, and windows in rental units often see heavier use. A frame that holds its shape keeps sashes opening and locking smoothly.
Postwar ranches and newer suburban homes. In Brookfield, Menomonee Falls and Pewaukee, many homes have first-generation vinyl windows that are reaching the end of their expected life.
Lakeshore homes. Houses near the water in Kenosha, Racine and Mequon face the most wind and moisture, so frame material and installation quality matter most there.
Thirty years of evidence from next door
Renewal by Andersen recently conducted an extensive durability study at a home in Minnesota, testing six windows that had been in place for 30 years. The results? Those windows still perform just as well as they did three decades ago.*
The Fibrex frames showed no cracking, rotting, pitting, corrosion, flaking, blistering or peeling.* After 30 years in a home, Fibrex still withstands temperatures up to 150°F* and continues to be two times stronger than vinyl.** Renewal by Andersen covers the full study in its article, How Long Do Renewal by Andersen Windows Last?
The takeaway for Milwaukee homeowners: Renewal by Andersen replacement windows can last 30 years or longer.*
Why Fibrex lasts in a lake climate
Fibrex is an exclusive composite of wood fiber and polymer. It stays strong even after 30 years of exposure to severe hot and cold temperatures,* and it does not rot when exposed to moisture the way unprotected wood can. It also expands and contracts very little, which helps the seals and joints stay tight through freeze and thaw.
Fibrex material stands the test of time.
Good installation adds years
Even the best window will not last if water gets behind it. Flashing, sealant and insulation around the frame all protect the opening, which is why every Renewal by Andersen window is built to fit your home and installed by our own trained crews. Our limited warranty is transferable, so it goes with the house if you sell.
Repair or replace?
The City of Milwaukee’s energy program notes that windows are not usually the biggest source of drafts in a home, so it is worth checking air sealing and insulation too. Replacement makes sense when you see:
- Fog between the panes from a failed seal
- Soft or rotting wood on sills and sashes
- Frames that are cracked, warped or pulling away from the wall
- Windows that stick, will not lock or will not stay open
- Ice or heavy condensation on the inside of the glass every winter
Common questions
How long do replacement windows last in Milwaukee?
Most vinyl replacement windows last 20 to 40 years, depending on quality, exposure and installation. Renewal by Andersen windows with Fibrex frames can last 30 years or longer.*
Do windows near Lake Michigan wear out faster?
They can. Lakefront homes see more wind-driven rain and humidity, which is hard on wood frames and on poorly sealed installations. A moisture-resistant frame and a tight installation help most there.
Can I replace windows in an older Milwaukee home without changing its character?
Yes. Renewal by Andersen windows are custom-built for each opening and come in a range of styles, colors and grille patterns, so they can suit a Cream City brick home or a 1920s bungalow.
Plan windows that last as long as you stay
Schedule an in-home consultation with Renewal by Andersen of Milwaukee to see how your current windows are holding up. We serve homeowners in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Brookfield, Mequon, Menomonee Falls, New Berlin, Pewaukee, Racine, Kenosha, West Bend and the surrounding counties, and our showroom is at 1741 Dolphin Dr. in Waukesha.
*Six window units were tested in a Minnesota home 30 years after installation. Visit renewalbyandersen.com for warranty information.
**Ultimate Tensile Strength. Six window units were tested in a Minnesota home 30 years after installation. Visit renewalbyandersen.com for warranty information.
Visit renewalbyandersen.com/warranty for details.
