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We bought a 1989 house in GA. It had metal double pane windows, and there was a lot of break down in the seals, they looked ugly, were not very clear, and did not seem to have any sun blocking features. You could not touch the windows when the sun was beating in. I cannot figure out why the person who built it used such cheesy windows, when many other features were high quality.
If OP is not experiencing any symptoms that are obviously wrong, then I'd just keep the windows. We, however, replaced ours with Andersen 100 series, and they make such a huge difference in looks, clarity, and heat reduction. We keep our AC 2 degrees lower than before. We aren't very concerned with keeping out the cold here.
As others have noted, unless you're living in a freezing climate, good storm windows are a lot cheaper, and can be just as satisfactory in terms of comfort. You can always add lined curtains/drapes too.
It might make a difference in resale value though, depending on your area.
As much as I hate to use this term, "Not a fan" of.....
I am not a fan of double pane windows at all. I would rather take the wooden windows with storm windows. Sure there are more maintenance with wood and having to wash more, but being in my same apartment for the last 30 years, I am so sick of my thermal windows being fogged up and thus having to replace them.
They are not cheap. The window company has long since gone out of business, and now i have to use glass places that replaces them.
we were better off with the old windows with storms. I feel the double panes are not worth it and dont keep the apt any warmer at all. JMO
We replaced single with dual and one thing I noticed and appreciated was the noise reduction.
Also, it seems like new always looks better, but for looks (if a significant factor) consider adding new sills, aprons, and or window casing. Hubby is (retired) interior trim contractor and I honestly 'hated' to cover the window trim with window coverings. Nice problem to have
Anyway, just wanted to mention decor and noise factors of windows.
Double panes seem to last longer here before fogging (more temperate. we have the most temperate climate in the country) vs. when I was out east with hot summers and cold winters and the stress of repeated expansion/contraction. Even so there is still no ROI vs. well maintained wood singles w/storms. By the time the seals go on the doubles one hasn't paid them off in terms of savings.
As for beauty, the old windows win as well. I have vinyls and to me they look cheap and ugly. My house isn't that old of a build plus it's not worth a higher end product. If I purchased a century home it would be a vinyl free zone for sure, original windows that will outlive me, or a product destined for the dump in a couple decades.
****$$$ savings.
I've re-insulated portions of my home. Since I can do the work myself the cost savings are apparent, as well as increased comfort of those rooms. Typical builder house with insulation mashed in/shoved in parts rendering it pretty useless. Amazing what difference trimming/fluffing in the insulation properly does. It was much cheaper then windows too.
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