Windows play an important role in preserving the curb appeal of your home and helping your residence remain energy efficient. Although residential glass is designed to be durable, your home's windows could crack when placed in certain situations.

A cracked window might not seem like a major problem, but cracked glass has the potential to be dangerous and unpredictable. The crack in your window might not spread immediately, but understanding the different types of cracks that can plague residential glass will help you better determine if a window replacement is needed to preserve the integrity of your home.

When homeowners think about a cracked window, an impact crack is likely the image that comes to mind. Impact cracks occur when a projectile comes into contact with the surface of your glass. These types of cracks are commonly caused by sports balls and branches or other debris that is hurled through the air during a windstorm.

You can tell if you have an impact crack by examining the pattern of the damage. An impact crack will have an intact point of impact in the center with cracks extending out from this point.

If you have young children or live in an area where high winds are common, consider upgrading your existing windows to glass that is impact resistant to prevent impact cracks from compromising the safety and security of your home in the future.

One of the most common types of crack that can plague your home's windows is a stress crack. As the outdoor temperature fluctuates, the frame holding your home's windows in place will expand and contract. This expansion and contraction process places stress on the glass panes themselves, often resulting in stress fractures that can mar the appearance of your windows.

Stress cracks typically originate near the edges of your windows. The cracks spread out slowly toward the center of the glass and are typically smaller in size. Even a single stress crack can put your window at risk of shattering.

Replace a window showing evidence of stress cracks, and have a window professional update your frames to prevent stress fractures from forming after the damaged glass is replaced.

Many modern homes are equipped with insulated windows that help regulate the transfer of heat between a home's interior and the outdoor environment. If your home has insulated windows, be aware of the dangers of pressure cracks.

Special gases are sandwiched between the two panes of glass that make up an insulated window. These gases are pressurized to maintain an airtight seal. If the pressure of the gases increases due to a sudden increase in temperature, the gases can push against the panes of glass and cause them to crack.

Insulated windows that have pressure cracks are no longer able to provide a proper seal against the transfer of heat. Replace the cracked windows quickly to prevent an increase in your monthly energy costs and preserve the energy efficiency of your home.

You may be tempted to overlook a minor crack in your home's windows. Unfortunately, small cracks usually spread until they compromise the safety and function of your residential glass. Replacing a window that shows evidence of impact cracks, stress cracks, or pressure cracks will help you preserve the quality of your home.

Contact Neville's Inc. for help when you spot a crack in your window. We can recommend a replacement window that will meet the needs of your family and install it quickly to restore your home to optimal condition. We can also help you avoid window cracks in the future.