Late October is when most of us start noticing our windows. The heat comes on, a cold draft hits your ankles, and the question comes up: do these windows need to be replaced, or just fixed?
The answer depends on what is actually wrong. Replacing windows is a big job, and plenty of window problems have simpler fixes. Others do not, and patching them only delays the bigger bill. Here is how we would sort it out.
Start with what you can see and feel
Pick a cold or windy day and go room by room. Hold your hand near the edges of each sash and frame. Then look at the glass, the sills and the trim, inside and out.
- Moving air around the edges of the sash or the frame.
- Fog or moisture trapped between the panes of a double-pane window. That usually means the seal has failed.
- Sashes that stick, will not stay open or will not lock.
- Soft, dark or crumbling wood at the sill or the bottom of the frame.
- Water stains on the wall or trim under the window.
- Condensation on the inside of the glass. This can also be a sign of high humidity in the house, so it does not always point to the window itself.
Take notes and a few photos as you go. They help when you talk to a contractor.
Problems that are often repairable
Some common problems cost far less to fix than to replace.
- Worn weatherstripping and dried-out caulk cause a lot of drafts, and redoing them is a small job.
- A sticky sash is sometimes just paint buildup or dirt in the track.
- A broken lock or a failed balance can often be swapped out.
- A small spot of rot at a sill can sometimes be cut out and patched with new wood, as long as the rest of the frame is sound.
If you have older wood windows, they are sometimes worth keeping and tuning up. Whether a repair makes sense depends on the age and type of window, and on whether parts are still available.
Signs replacement makes more sense
- Rot that has spread through the frame, not just one spot at the sill.
- Fogged glass on several windows. Cleaning will not fix a failed seal.
- Windows that are warped or out of square and will not close properly.
- The same window needing repair again and again.
- Water getting into the wall around a window. The wall has to be opened up and checked, and it can make sense to replace the window while it is open, since the work overlaps.
Do not count on a savings number
Many people replace windows hoping to lower their heating bills. New windows can cut drafts, but how much they help depends on what you have now and on how well the rest of the house is sealed and insulated. We will not promise a savings figure, and you should be wary of anyone who does without looking at your house.
Questions to settle before you get quotes
- Is the quote for insert replacement windows that fit inside your existing frames, or full-frame replacement that includes new trim? These are different jobs with different costs.
- Does the price include interior and exterior trim, flashing, caulking and paint or stain?
- What is the lead time? Windows are usually ordered to size, so ask for the timing in writing.
- How will the crew protect your home while openings are exposed to the weather?
Permit rules for window replacement differ from town to town, and they can change if the size of the opening changes. Check with your town building department, or ask your contractor how they handle it.
When to do the work
If a window is leaking water or has rot, do not wait for spring. Water gets into the wall every time it rains or the snow melts. If the problem is only a draft or a stiff sash, you can plan the work and compare quotes without rushing. Ask each contractor what schedule they can offer in cold weather.
How CRC can help
We replace and repair windows and doors, along with siding, trim and general carpentry, for homes across Southern New Hampshire. If you are not sure whether your windows need replacing, we will look at them and tell you plainly, including when a repair is the better choice.
You can request an estimate below or call us at (603) 665-0447. See the towns across Southern NH where we work.