Replacement Window FAQ: What Are the Popping Noises From My Windows?

Picture this: you are sitting at home with your family and suddenly hear a peculiar popping noise. You search the room looking for the culprit until you notice the sound is actually coming from your windows. Sound familiar? If you are hearing popping noises coming from your windows, fear not. You are not hearing imaginary things. In fact, popping noises from your windows are quite a common phenomenon, especially if you live in a region that experiences cooler overnight temperatures and strong morning sun.

While a few popping noises here and there might not be too concerning, after a while and if they continue, it is likely to start grating on your nerves. There are a few reasons why your windows are making popping sounds, but this phenomenon is most commonly caused by the expansion and contraction of materials, such as your window cladding. If you are currently having issues with your windows making popping noises, here are three common reasons why, and what you can do to rectify the issue. 

Newly installed Low-E Glass Windows

If you began noticing the popping or cracking noises coming from your windows after replacing your existing single pane windows that face aluminum siding with Low-E glass, this may be the culprit behind the issue. This is because the focused reflection of the sun’s energy from the Low-E coated glass can quickly heat the siding on the adjacent walls, which causes the aluminum to expand at a fast rate that inevitably creates a popping sound as the siding expands and contracts along the wall. While the popping sound can be extremely aggravating, unfortunately, there is no quick fix for this issue. You could opt to shade the window or swap the glass for a non-Low-E unit, although, we do not recommend doing this if you are conscious about the energy efficiency of your windows.

Aluminum Cladding on Your Windows

Another reason your windows are making popping noises could be from the quick expansion and contraction of aluminum cladding on your windows. However, it should be noted that this is not a very common cause of popping noises caused by expansion and contraction due to the heavy gauge extruded coil stock that is installed on most aluminum clad wood windows. However, the coil stock aluminum used as trim wrapping around the windows may cause these expansion and contraction noises due to expansion or contraction associated with rapid heating and cooling cycles.

Inadequate Window Installation

The third and probably most common reason for pesky popping noises is that your window was poorly installed from the get-go. If the windows were installed out of square, plumb, or plane, the jamb sides of the frames can bend inward and put pressure on the window sashes. Unfortunately, the only solution to this is to remove the windows and have them reinstalled correctly. This is why it is always important to hire a trustworthy and expert professional from the start – to avoid such preventable mishaps.

How to Fix Your Popping Windows

It is possible your window’s popping noises are not being caused by any of the above issues. As such, to find out the exact cause of any popping or cracking noises, it is always best to contact a professional window contractor for advice. With a diagnosis in hand, your contractor will be able to find the best solution unique to your situation. At the end of the day and to prevent issues like this from occurring, it is always best to choose a quality, trustworthy and professional home improvement contractor for any home improvement project.