A Homeowner’s Guide to Window Replacement vs. Repair

Most of us can tell when somebody is fake-smiling. We all do it, the fake-oh-no-not-this-conversation smile, or if you’re in food service, the customer-service-make-me-some-money smile. The change isn’t in the shape of the lips, but in the expression in the eyes. “Eyes are the windows to the soul,” and all that jazz is really true. You’re probably wondering how this ties into windows… Well, windows are the eyes of your home; they’re the sneak peek into the “soul” of your home. But what do you do when those eyes start to get a little tired and run-down looking? Do you give them a quick fix like a pair of dollar-store readers, or do you opt for the eye exam and prescription glasses?

When Dollar-Store Readers Do The Trick

Most of the time, things are fine. There might be a little fuzziness here and maybe a black spot there, but overall, things are under control. That’s when you shrug your shoulders and decide to try those glasses you can get in the pharmacy section at Walmart. They’re not perfect, but they do in a pinch. There are similar situations for your windows, dollar-store quick fixes that will help.

Minor Drafts and Air Leaks:

Do you ever feel something like a light breeze when you’re by one of your windows? Almost like it’s cracked open just the tiniest bit? This is the equivalent of squinting when you’re trying to read. It’s annoying, but you can fix it with those glasses you picked up. Back to the windows, you being the concerned homeowner, double-check to make sure it’s closed all the way. When you realize it is, you start to pinpoint the breeze. A bit of caulk or weather stripping can fix the problem, as long as it is a small problem. However, if you’re feeling a ghost drift passed you every time the wind blows, it’s more than just worn weather stripping or a broken seal. That’s not something cheap glasses or quick fixes can handle. 

Foggy Glass:

Do your multi-pane windows ever fog up like your bathroom mirror, and you can’t wipe it away? Well, this typically means a seal has failed. Before you panic, this doesn’t always mean a complete replacement. Like when you scratch your glasses, your good ones that you really like, you don’t have to replace the whole pair; you can just get new lenses. The same goes for your windows. You can sometimes replace the panes or the seals, and voila, it’s fixed. However, this is not always the case, especially if your windows look like one of those cool water features that create a rainstorm. This can mean there is more going on and will require a little more looking into. 

Cracked or Chipped Glass:

Do your window panes have any chips? Just a small-little-almost-missed-it-but-now-you-know knick in the glass? That’s the tiny scratch that is close to the frames of your glass lenses. Not the best-case scenario, but it’s doable. If the chip isn’t spreading, expanding, or affecting visibility, a quick repair is usually enough. If the crack does start to expand, your window looks like a spiderwebbed nightmare from a horror flick. Cracked, warped, fogged up, and whining any time the wind stirs- that is not a singular problem. It’s a pile-up of problems, and no amount of quick fixes is going to take care of the problem like a good old replacement.

When It’s Time for the Big Gun Prescription Glasses

This is when no amount of adjusting, wiping, or angling keeps you from squinting. Everything is blurry all the time, and you get headaches that only get a little better when you close your eyes. That’s when it’s time to head to the doctor and get those eyes looked at. This is when it’s time to get your windows looked at by a professional.

Severe Damage:

Are any of your window panes broken? Shattered, spiderwebbed, a big freaking hole? Are the frames rotting, cracking, splitting, or warping? Do your windows open and close easily? Do your windows open and close at all? This is no longer the minor inconvenience of a slight blur, it is now officially vision lost. Trying to repair those problems is like trying to tape your old glasses back together. It technically “works,” but it really isn’t a long-term solution. Replacing them will provide you with better clarity, more convenience and satisfaction, and in the case of news windows, way better energy efficiency. 

Sky-High Energy Bills:

What do your utility bills look like? Have they slowly and incrementally gotten higher and higher, or worse, have they skyrocketed with the changing weather? Have you threatened your children about messing with the thermostat? Do your bills rival the amount of your rent or mortgage? Well, old windows can be a significant contributor to that. Older windows tend to be draftier and don’t have the same technology that promotes energy efficiency. This is like walking around in an old prescription or one that wasn’t for you. Straining. Ineffective. Exhausting. When you upgrade, everything gets a little better, more comfortable. Plus, you’ll save money in the long run.

Outdated Style:

This is for those of you who are embarrassed about wearing glasses. You think they make you look old or too nerdy or whatever. For you, it’s not about seeing better, it’s about looking better. This is what it’s like when you have windows that are, quite honestly, chanting, “I’m not supposed to be here.” A replacement can be so beneficial in this case. We have so many options that you can practically customize your windows for you and your home. You want sleek, modern glasses – I mean windows – we can do that. You want artistically detailed, done. Same basic purpose, but they can look like how you want them to. 

The Bottom Line: Repair or Replace?

Deciding whether to repair or replace your window can be like trying to decide if you should stick it out with those handy-dandy dollar-store readers or getting a pair of glasses that actually work for you in the long run. The key is to weigh the pros and cons for each. Sometimes, that quick fix is perfect; other times, problems start to stack up, and you come to the conclusion that an upgrade is what is best for you. We are here to help you make the right decision. It doesn’t matter if you’re patching up or pitching out; we’ve got you covered.  Contact us today, and let us help you figure out what you need. Now, if only deciding on dinner was this easy…