Deciding Whether To Repair or Replace Your Windows

Deciding whether to repair or replace your windows can be a tough decision. Not only mentally, but also financially. You have to know if replacing them is necessary or not, as to not waste any money on your windows when it's not needed. Not every symptom you may experience with your windows is something that needs to be fixed, and it's important to know the difference between a window that needs to be replaced VS one that needs quick and cheap fix.

Decisions like this need to be made carefully, because again, it’s expensive. Always make sure to consider the age of the window in your decision making, because a newer window may just need a quick repair, while older windows might be entirely too old to fix. If your window has some minor damage, like hardware problems, or some difficulty operating said window, it could point to an easy, quick and cheap fix. Other cheap and easy fixes are worn or damaged weatherstripping, small airleaks, or other issues that can be fixed without changing the entire window. (The Spruce)

Older windows often experience more damage, from cracks to completely broken glass, they’re usually crying for help. If you notice issues with your windows like persistent drafts when you've done multiple fixes, failed insulation within your multipane glass, condensation on the inside of your window(a sign of failed insulation), and more, make sure to call a professional to get your windows replaced ASAP. Other things to look out for are window frames that are deteriorated, which could be a huge deciding factor when it comes to getting new windows or not. Make sure not to attempt to repair these by yourself, as broken windows can often give inexperienced people issues like cuts and splinters. Call a professional, like Window World, to figure out what you need to do next. (Window World)

Something we’ve talked about extensively is your window’s age. This plays a huge role when it comes to deciding on repairing or replacing your windows. Sometimes, older windows may appear repairable, but will often still perform poorly overall. Speaking of repairs, they are more justified on newer windows than older ones, simply because throughout the lifetime of a window, at a certain point the cost to replace an older one is a lot cheaper than repeatedly fixing it. Make sure to also look at other moving parts like locks, the tracks, and anything else that is used in window operation. (Southern Living)

Think about the climate you’re in. Are you in a cooler climate? Warmer? Windows in warmer areas, like Southern Nevada, tend to experience a crazy amount of heat demands. Things like solar heat gain can affect the temperature inside your house, which can make certain rooms uncomfortably hot during the summer. Older windows are usually the ones with this issue, but cheap, new windows can also experience this.

(NPS)

Lastly, you’ll want to consider the cost of the windows you plan on buying. If you plan on doing repairs instead of replacements, how much is that going to cost you in the long run? Is it better than outright replacing the windows, or will you have an easier time just repairing it and moving on? Other factors to consider when replacing or repairing is how long you plan on staying in the home. If you don’t plan on staying there too long, it may just be better to repair than to waste your money on an expensive replacement. If you plan on living there the rest of your life, replacing is a better option.

Repairs make sense when the underlying issue is something easily fixed, while remaining cheap for you, especially if the window is new. Replacements become more of an option when you're looking at the window that’s old, damaged, leaking a huge amount of air, or performing poorly keeping the heat of the sun out of your home. In any case, making sure you have a trusted professional to give you advice is important. Next time you have any window questions, don’t hesitate to give Window World a call!

https://www.thespruce.com/how-long-do-windows-last-11721132

https://www.southernliving.com/signs-to-replace-your-windows-8715853

https://www.windowworldsouthernnevada.com/support

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/windows/signs-windows-need-replaced

https://www.pella.com/ideas/windows/replacement/signs-your-windows-need-replaced/