Knowing when to repair or replace a worn, damaged, or drafty window can come down to multiple factors. Are the glass panels an unusual size? Is the window very old or custom built with no way of replacing the glass panes? Is the damage primarily the glass pane, or is the problem coming from the surrounding window itself?
Here are some factors to consider:
Drafts
No one likes drafty windows! If you have a drafty window in your home, you likely know about it from walking by on a cold day and feeling a blast of cold air, or on a hot day where your AC is running and you hit a warm spot passing by.
The first thing to determine for drafts is where the draft is coming from. If you can see a crack or break in the glass pane itself, then your window may be a good candidate for window repair. Most windows have surrounds that keep the glass pane in place and can be removed for replacing the panes. For a simple glass crack, repair is your best option and is something we can help with. If your windows have a specific model number, we can help determine the sizing of the replacement glass based on that. If you can’t find that information, that is also no problem and we can inspect them to determine sizing.
However, if a draft is present and the glass panes appear to be in good shape with no obvious cracks or holes, then it may be an issue with the window frames. Sometimes, drafty window frames can be resealed with caulking or weather stripping. However, if the window frame is in poor shape and consists of multiple ‘loose’ glass panes, is difficult to open or feels ‘crooked’ when closing, it can mean the window frame itself is warped or otherwise damaged to the point where a new window would make the most sense.
Loose Glass Panes/Panels
A larger window made of individual glass panes, especially older windows in this style, can be perpetually drafty. If your glass panels/panes are loose, then it is possible you may be able to replace the panes and reseal them. However, depending on how much ‘play’ there is in the panels, it may be best to replace the window altogether. A general rule of thumb would be if many of the panels are still solid and aren’t drafty, sealing and replacing the panels would make sense. However, if most of the panels rattle or ‘wiggle’ when opening and closing the window, it likely is best to replace the window frame with an entirely new one. We can help determine this by inspecting your windows.
Rot and Water Damage
If you see discoloration or rot around your window, either inside or outside, then there is a good chance the window is allowing moisture to pass the frame internally. This is indicative of a brownish color on your window sill, around your window trim or around the wall where the wall meets the windows. In this case, when obvious rot or water damage is present, it almost certainly means replacing the window itself. You may not be able to see it, but the frame may be rotted from the inside allowing moisture through what would normally be sealed. This can not only be an eye-sore, but you can run into other damage to your walls down the line if this is not fixed.
Here at Capital Glass, we can make recommendations on wither to replace your window frames, repair your window glass, or help reseal your windows to ensure maximum energy efficiency and temperature retainment!