The State of Florida’s standard for inspecting windows for a home inspection (61-30.807 Standards of Practice, Interior Components) states that “when inspecting doors and windows, the inspector may inspect a representative number of doors and windows.” The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has a similar standard, while the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) also adds “by opening and closing them.” So, not all the windows are required to be inspected. 

    Windows can be difficult to access and test in a furnished, occupied house. Between the window treatments, knick-knacks on the window sill, and furniture in front of the window, testing some windows is a precarious balancing act, and the industry standards recognize that.

    What is a “representative number”? American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) defines representative number as “one component per room for multiple interior components such as windows and doors; one component on each side of the building for multiple exterior components.” The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) has a simpler definition: “a number sufficient to serve as a typical or characteristic example of the item(s) inspected. State of Florida does not provide a definition.

    Most inspectors, like us, try to test most of the accessible ones. If problems like broken hardware, stuck windows, or shot springs are found, we recommend repair. Other defects, such as double-pane insulated windows that have lost their gas and water stain evidence of leakage around bottom of the window can also be detected.

    Also, see our blog posts Do home inspectors test the appliances? and Do home inspectors go on the roof? Do they get in the attic?

    Click on any of the links below to read other articles about what is required to be included, or not, in a home inspection:

AFCI •• Air conditioner •• Ants •• Appliance recalls •• Appliance testing •• Attic •• Awnings •• Barns and ag blgs. •• Bathroom exhaust fan •• Bonding •• Carpet •• Ceiling fans •• Central vacuum •• Chimneys •• Chinese drywall •• Clothes dryer •• Dryer exhaust •• CO alarms •• Code violations •• Condemn a house •• Crawl space •• Detached carport •• Detached garage •• Dishwasher •• Docks •• Doors •• Electrical •• Electrical panel •• Electromagnetic radiation •• Fences •• Fireplaces  Furnace •• Garage door opener •• Garbage disposal •• Generator •• GFCIs •• Gutters •• Ice maker •• Inspect in the rain •• Insulation •• Insurance •• Interior Finishes •• Grading & drainage •• Lead paint •• Level of thoroughness •• Lift carpet •• Low voltage wiring •• Microwave •• Mold •• Move things •• Help negotiate •• Not allowed •• Outbuildings •• Paint •• Permits •• Pilot lights •• Plumbing •• Plumbing under slab •• Pools •• Questions won't answer •• Radon •• Range/cooktop •• Receptacle outlet •• Refrigerator •• Reinspection •• Remove panel cover •• Repairs •• Repair estimates •• Retaining walls •• Roaches •• Rodents •• Roof •• Screens •• Seawalls •• Septic loading dye test •• Septic tank •• Sewer lines •• Shower pan leak test •• Shutters •• Sinkholes •• Smoke alarms •• Solar panels •• Specify repairs •• Sprinklers •• Termites •• Toilets •• Trees •• Troubleshooting •• Wall air conditioners •• Walk roof •• Washing machine •• Water heater •• Water pressure •• Water shut-offs •• Main water shut-off •• Water softener •• Water treatment systems •• Well •• Windows •• Window/wall air conditioners •• Window blinds •• Wiring 

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •   

  To learn more about doors and windows, see these other blog posts:

• What causes sweating (condensation) on the inside of windows in the winter? 

• Is every exterior door of a house required to have a landing outside? 

• What are the small slots at the bottom of the outside of my window? 

• Why does condensation form on the outside of some windows and not others in the morning? 

• Why if the garage door track a white tube? 

• What is the raised metal plate on the floor under the garage door?

• Why do I have to hold down the button to close the garage door? 

• Where is safety/tempered glass required for the windows of a house?

• How can I tell if a window or glass door is safety glass? 

• Should a front door swing in or out? 

• Why is pressure washing double pane windows an expensive mistake? 

• How many exit doors are required for a house?

• How many exit doors are required for a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Why is a double cylinder deadbolt lock on an exterior door a safety hazard?

• How can I check my garage door to make sure it is safe?  

• What is an egress window?

• How difficult is it to change a window to french doors or a sliding glass door?

• How do you determine if a door is left-handed or right-handed?

• Why are window security bars dangerous? 

• What are the common problems you find inspecting windows?

• What is causing a foggy haze on my windows? 

• What do those numbers on the manufacturer's stickers in new windows mean?

• What does a home inspector check on an electric garage door? 

• What is the tempered label on glass at windows and sliding glass doors called?

• Do I need to have two exterior exit doors in my house? 

• When is safety glass required for windows at stairs and stair landings?

     Visit our DOORS AND WINDOWS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.