Home Window Repairs and Replacements

How do you know if you should repair or replace your windows? Read ahead to learn what you need to know about home window repairs and replacements today.

Saving money is more important each passing year, especially when it comes to energy bills. Energy bills are necessary, unavoidable expenses but that does not mean you have to overpay to keep your house comfortable. A cracked, leaking, or ill-fitting window has the potential to cause your energy bill to skyrocket. Sometimes repairing old or faulty windows is the answer. Other times it is necessary to replace your windows entirely. How do you know which choice is the best choice for your home and budget? Keep reading to learn what you need to know about home window repairs and replacements today.

Reasons to Repair or Replace the Windows in Your Home

Your windows need to be repaired or replaced when they are cracked, warped, or leaking air in any way. Home energy bills quickly skyrocket when windows are faulty, especially in more extreme climates or the heart of the summer and winter seasons. Are you frequently receiving notices in the mail from your energy company, which state your home is using significantly more electricity, gas, or other type of energy source than most homes in your neighborhood? The cause of this just might be cracked, damaged or otherwise faulty windows.

Leaking windows also contribute to changes in the quality of the air in your home. This is especially true for people with allergies or respiratory system issues, who need the air quality in their homes to always remain high. You might have a newer HVAC system, but even newer models are prone to damage caused by overworking. Faulty windows influence the temperature reading on your thermostat. Even pushing the temperature one or two degrees above what is normally necessary to keep your home comfortable might cause the coil to overheat or freeze if left at those temperatures for prolonged periods of time. In summary, the primary reasons to repair or replace the windows in your home include:

• Maintain comfortable temperatures inside.

• Maintain high air quality and prevent allergies or respiratory issues.

• Save you money by preventing your HVAC system from overworking.

Choosing Between Repairing and Replacing Windows

The decision between repairing and replacing the windows in a home is more complicated than some homeowners realize. This is partially because every window, or set of windows, has its own sets of problems and potential solutions. True, common issues involve broken glass and leaking water or air. Those are often symptoms, however, and not root causes. Arriving at the best decision for your needs involves a combination of unorthodox and logical reasoning. Continue reading to learn more about how this applies to you.

Cost (Time and Money)

Money is at the front of most people’s thoughts in modern times. It is necessary to compare the costs of replacing and repairing your windows to learn which options saves you the most money directly. Sometimes older or more damaged windows cost more to repair than the cost of purchasing and installing brand new windows. Your time is also valuable. If you are handling the window repair job as a DIY project, how many labor hours will you need to spend to do the job correctly? If the windows are repaired by an outside service provider, how long will the repair company need to spend inside your home? Labor hours, whether in your home or not, always add to the cost of a bill. For seriously damaged windows, most homeowners find replacement options to be more time-saving and convenient. Other aspects must still be considered, however.

Cost vs. Performance

Once you assess and compare the cost of repairing vs. replacing your home windows you then need to look at how these costs compare to the long-term performance and savings benefits of each option. Brand-new windows might seem like the best option for long-term performance considerations, but this is not always the case. Compare the warranty on new window options to the length of time the older windows in your home lasted before any damages occurred. Some new window warranties only cover windows for five years. Some new windows are also made of lower quality plastics, glasses, woods, and oils. If your old windows lasted decades or longer before experiencing problems, you might save more money in the end by investing in their repair.

Appearance

The aesthetics and appearance of your windows is another factor to consider. Windows in older homes are often built to match the original architecture and décor of the building. New windows might modernize your home, increase its eventual sales value, or add a positive change to its curb and internal appeal. New windows also might not be available to provide an exact match or even come close to what you want to see and be seen from inside and outside your home respectively.

New vs. Old Windows - Environmental Considerations

Homes built in the U.S. before 1960 tend to have windows made of more natural and higher quality wood and glass than most newer window products sold today. Many newer, vinyl windows are made using toxic oil products and gases. When the new windows fail, they end up dumped into landfills. Problems with older windows tend to be caused by neglect and not flaws in the craftmanship itself. These problems are often reparable at a cost well beneath the expense of replacing new windows every five to ten years. Most older home windows were simply built to last, using better - and safer - materials than are often used today.

Costs, Grants and Insurance Options

Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not include window repair or replacement on their lists of covered perils. The exception to this might be if your windows were broken due to a home invasion. Average costs to repair or replace your windows depends on the window types, sizes, labor hours and parts and materials required. The national average to replace a window range between $650 and $850 per window, with labor totaling $100 to $300 of the cost. Replacing the windows on a three-bedroom house might cost between $3,000 and $10,000. 

Grants are available to qualified homeowners through the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) to qualified homeowners who purchase energy-efficient home windows. Weatherization grant applications are submitted online via the Energy.gov website. Purchasing ENERGY STAR certified windows might save you between $100 and $600 per year on your energy bills.

Best Nationwide Window Repair and Installation Services

Window repairs and replacement services are offered by popular companies such as The Home Depot and Lowes. Many specialized nationwide window service companies are also available in your area. Some of the best nationwide window repair and installation services in business today include:

• Window Nation (best for vinyl and wood windows).

• Glass Doctor (best nationwide service coverage).

• Window World (best for custom installations).

• Champion Window (best for residential services).

• Renewal by Anderson (best overall provider).