When you notice that your windows are starting to get drafty, look incredibly worn out, or is starting to get difficult to operate, you might wonder if it’s better to do repairs or replace them altogether. Typically, when a window breaks, the first option is to have it repaired. But the trend to remove, trash, and replace windows took over. Wood-framed windows can now be easily replaced with newer material, such as vinyl, fiberglass, wood, or metal.
One of the drawbacks of replacing windows is it tends to be costly and require extra labor. And now that that the green home movement is gaining steam, homeowners are starting to consider how wasteful it could be, too. After all, why would you replace a broken window if it can be remedied with quick fixes?
If you have a faulty window and notice that it exhibits three or more of any of the problems listed below, then that’s the time that you should call your trusted window replacement company.
Foggy windows
When you have foggy windows, water is condensing inside your window’s double-paned or triple-paned insulated glass unit (IGU). It’s also likely that your windows are old as today’s windows usually have self-sufficient IGU’s built into them. Unlike old multi-paned windows, IGU’s are sealed and permanent. Even the most experienced window technician can’t disassemble and rebuild it, making replacement the only viable option.
Water leakage
If you find that interior water is pooling near the window area, it’s usually coming around the window and not through the window. The source can be from gutters and drain pipes that force water towards the windows. Window seals can be an easy fix, but you may want to re-route your drainage system to prevent it from happening again. But if you notice that there’s excessive water infiltration around the window, it might be a sign that your exterior window casing is bad. You may want to start thinking about replacement options.
Broken panes
Single-pane windows are easy and inexpensive to repair. If you have a multi-paned glass window that is broken or cracked, you may want to look into sash replacement. However, if the problem is persistent, it may be a sign that you should replace the entire window.
Missing or damaged drip cap
Drip caps are the exterior shields at the top of the window. If you lose it or it gets damaged, you can easily replace it by purchasing rot-free, rust-free aluminum drip caps available at home centers.
Broken muntins
Muntins are pieces of wood that separate panes of glass. If your window has faux muntins, they cannot be replaced. The upside is it won’t affect your window’s functionality. If your muntins are rotting or split, though, they need to be rebuilt. You only need to remove the glass and scrape the area clean and apply fresh putty to secure the glass with new glazier’s points.
Dysfunctional sashes
Older windows tend to have upper or lower sashes that don’t move or budge. It could be due to multiple layers of paint between the sash and frame holding them together or the sash coming off track. When they start to become hard to raise, it may be because of broken cords on sash eights. This issue can easily be repaired and doesn’t necessitate a replacement.
Should you find that your windows are extremely damaged and exhibit three or more of the aforementioned problems, you should contact a window replacement company right away. If you need a window replacement in Salt Lake City, get in touch with us now.