Can You Replace Windows in Winter? Year-Round Window Replacement in Minnesota

A lot of homeowners think of window replacement as a summer job. So they put it off until spring, and spend one more Minnesota winter next to the same drafty, frosty windows.

It doesn't have to work that way. Here in St. Cloud and across Central Minnesota, we replace windows year-round, including fall and winter. This guide explains how a cold-weather window install works, what keeps the heat in while the old windows come out, what each season has going for it, and how to get your home ready for install day.

Yes, Windows Can Be Replaced in Fall and Winter

Spring through fall is the busiest time for window replacement. But cold weather doesn't rule it out. Andersen, one of the brands we install, says that even in four-season climates like ours, "windows can be replaced in the winter." Andersen also notes that contractors can take steps to cut heat loss and keep your home comfortable during a winter replacement, and it suggests asking your contractor how they do it.

That's a fair question, so here's the answer.

How a Cold-Weather Window Install Works

Replacement windows go in one opening at a time. The old window comes out, the new one goes in, and it's insulated and sealed before the crew moves on to the next one. Your house is never standing open with every window out. At any given moment, there's usually just one opening, and it isn't open for long.

A few other things help keep the heat where it belongs:

• Closing off the room. Shutting the door to the room being worked on keeps cold air in that room instead of letting it spread through the house.
• Insert windows, where they fit. Some replacement windows fit into the existing window frame instead of replacing the whole frame. Sierra Pacific, for example, says its replacement insert windows are designed to be installed from the outside, leaving the inside of the home untouched. Whether an insert or a full-frame replacement is right depends on the condition of your existing frames, and our project specialists will tell you which one your windows need.

Your furnace will run a little harder on install day. But the cold air coming in is limited to one opening at a time, for a short time. Compare that with what an old, leaky window lets in all winter long.

Caulk and Foam in the Cold: Why the Products Matter

The biggest difference in a winter install isn't the window. It's the materials that seal it in. Window sealants and the low-expansion foam used to insulate around a new window each come with temperature limits from their makers, and those limits vary a lot from product to product:

• Some sealants are made for cold weather. Henkel's technical data sheet for OSI QUAD MAX Clear says it can be applied between 0°F and 140°F. It also says any ice, snow or frost on the surface has to be removed first.
• Foams vary widely. Henkel's LOCTITE Pro Window & Door Foam can be used when the air is between 14°F and 95°F, but the can itself needs to be between 41°F and 86°F. Surfaces can be damp, but not frosted or iced. Other foams are made for warmer conditions. DuPont says its consumer GREAT STUFF window and door foam gives best results with the product at 60°F to 90°F.

So a good winter install comes down to using products rated for the conditions, keeping foam warm until it's used, and clearing frost before anything gets sealed. On the coldest days, or in the middle of a snowstorm, the right call is sometimes to move the install to another day.

Careful installation matters in any season. As the U.S. Department of Energy puts it, even the most energy-efficient windows can leave a house drafty, with condensation problems, if they aren't installed properly.

What Each Season Has Going for It

There's no bad season to replace windows. There are just different reasons to pick each one.

• Fall: New windows are in before the heating season starts, so you get the comfort and the energy savings all winter. Fall also gives you time to sort out problems before the cold arrives.
• Winter: This is when you can tell which windows are really the problem. ENERGY STAR notes that drafty windows are very uncomfortable to sit next to when it's cold and windy, and that the cold inside surface of an inefficient window pulls heat away from your body. And when the new windows go in, you feel the difference the same day.
• Spring: Replacing windows before summer means you'll have easy-to-open windows and new screens when it's time to let the fresh air in.
• Summer: Warm weather makes for easy installs. It's also peak season, so plan ahead.

One tip if you're blaming the windows for a cold room: make sure it really is the window. The Center for Energy and Environment, a Minnesota energy nonprofit, notes that poor air sealing and insulation around a window can make it seem leaky even when it isn't. If you've weatherized and tried other fixes and still feel uncomfortable, it says it may be time to consider replacing your windows.

Plan Ahead: Replacement Windows Are Made to Fit

Replacement windows are built to the measurements of your openings, so there's a gap between measuring and install day. Sierra Pacific says its replacement inserts come built to your exact measurements, and Vector lists custom sizing as an option on its Envision Series windows.

That's one more reason not to wait for warm weather to get started. Getting measured in the fall or early winter puts your order in sooner, whether you install right away or plan for spring. Our project specialists can give you current lead times when they measure.

Getting Your Home Ready for a Winter Install

A little prep makes install day go faster, which means less time with any opening exposed to the cold:

• Clear space around each window. Move furniture, plants and decorations away from the windows being replaced so the crew has room to work.
• Take down window coverings. Remove blinds, shades and curtains, or ask ahead of time if the crew will.
• Clear a path outside. Shovel walkways and the areas under the windows so the crew can safely reach each opening from outside.
• Plan for pets and kids. Keep them away from the rooms being worked on. A door that's open to the outside, even briefly, is easy for a pet to slip through.
• Leave the heat on. Keep your thermostat at its normal setting and close the doors to rooms while they're being worked on.

Once your new windows are in, keep an eye on your indoor humidity the first winter. New windows stop drafts, and a tighter house can hold more moisture. Natural Resources Canada, which runs ENERGY STAR in Canada, notes that energy-efficient windows can lead to more condensation because moist air is trapped in the house. Our Minnesota guide to window condensation shows the indoor humidity to aim for at each outdoor temperature.

Choosing Windows for Minnesota's Four Seasons

A window that works year-round in Minnesota has to handle subzero nights, summer heat and everything in between. A few places to start:

• Energy ratings. Look for ENERGY STAR certification for the Northern climate zone. Our post on whether new windows can lower your bills explains U-factor and the other numbers on the label.
• Style. Casements and double-hungs are the two most common choices here, and they behave differently in a Minnesota winter. Here's how casement and double-hung windows compare.
• Brand. We install windows from Andersen, Vector (Envision Series) and Sierra Pacific. Vector is based in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and its Envision Series meets ENERGY STAR 7.0 standards for the Northern climate zone with its triple-pane glass option. You can compare the window brands we install.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can windows be installed in the winter in Minnesota?

Yes. Window replacement goes one opening at a time, with each new window insulated and sealed before the next one comes out. With cold-rated sealants, foam kept warm and frost cleared before sealing, windows can go in during fall and winter. On the coldest days or during a storm, it can make sense to reschedule.

Will my house get cold while the windows are being replaced?

Not much. Only one opening is usually open at a time, and only for a short time. Closing off the room being worked on keeps the cold air from spreading. Your furnace may run a little more that day, but the rest of the house stays comfortable.

Is it too cold to caulk windows in the winter?

It depends on the product. Some sealants are rated for use down to 0°F, while some window and door foams work best when the product is 60°F or warmer. Frost and ice have to be cleared from surfaces before anything is sealed. A winter install uses products made for the conditions.

Should I wait until spring to replace my windows?

You don't have to. Waiting means one more winter with the old windows, and winter is when you can feel which windows are really the problem. If you'd still rather install in spring, getting measured now puts your order in sooner.

Why do my new windows have condensation on them?

Usually because the indoor humidity is too high for the weather outside, not because something is wrong with the window. ENERGY STAR says certified windows are more resistant to condensation, but even they can get it in cold weather. See our window condensation guide for humidity targets and quick fixes.

Ready for New Windows? Any Season Works

You don't have to wait for summer to stop living with drafty windows. Our project specialists can measure your windows, go over styles and brands, and give you a free estimate, any time of year. Call us at (320) 203-1297 or request your free estimate. You can also read more about our window replacement service. Zablocki Roofing & Exteriors has served Central Minnesota since 1999 (MN license BC570468).