Repair VS Replacing Your Windows
Should You Repair Or Replace Windows In Your Purcellville, VA, Home?
Discover Your Best Option
Are the windows in your Purcellville, VA, home not performing as they once did? Perhaps an accident or old age is starting to affect your windows negatively.
When your windows are not performing as they should, you have two options: replacing or repairing them. But which one is better?
Let’s look at the various scenarios in which repairing or replacing windows happens, so you have a better idea of what you should do.
When To Consider Repairing Windows
There are several cases in which window repair may be an option. We are going to highlight the most common times in which window repair can be used.
Cracked Or Broken Glass
If the glass in your windows were to become cracked or broken, it could be replaced. If your windows only have single panes of glass, they can easily be repaired.
When you have a multi-paned window, there are times when the sash can be replaced to help repair the broken glass. However, only some models of windows can be repaired.
Broken Mullions Or Muntins
Suppose you have a single-pane window with broken mullions or muntins holding the glass in place. In that case, these can be rebuilt rather than replacing the whole window.
Windows That Will Not Open
The upper and lower sashes in older windows cannot move when damaged. Often, this is due to layers of old paint or a framing issue. This issue can be repaired rather than replacing the window itself since it is not so much the window but the surrounding area.
If a professional finds the window will not open due to swelling or frame damage, then that is an entirely different situation to consider.
Minor Water Leaks
If you have a little bit of water coming into your home and it can be seen around the window, minor water leaks are often due to a drainage issue. Hence, instead of repairing or replacing the window, it is all about redirecting the gutter flow away from the home.
However, check your gutters to ensure this is the issue to avoid further damage to your home. Walk outside and look at the spouts coming from your gutters – are any of these off or directed to flow near a window?
If so, you could be seeing the cause of the minor leak in your window.
Situations That Require Window Replacement
While repairing the windows may seem like the best option, some problems are beyond repair and require window replacement in your Loudoun County home.
Major Water Leaks
If tons of water can enter your home via the window, it often signals that the exterior window casing is compromised. When the casing has become damaged, it is time to replace the window.
Otherwise, you may find yourself having to repair the frame over and over again, when a replacement would take care of the problem for good.
Foggy Windows
Foggy windows are due to moisture getting into the double or triple-paned portions of the window. The new windows on the market have insulated glass units, making them more energy efficient, ensuring moisture cannot enter to cause the fog many people see.
However, if condensation starts to occur, the insulated glass units are affected, and there is no fixing. In these cases, the only option is window replacement.
Old Age
You may be paying higher monthly energy bills if you have single-pane windows. If the issue with your windows is due to age, then window replacement is often the better financial decision to make in the long run.
Typically, a residential window has a lifespan of around fifteen to thirty years. However, the twenty-year mark is when most homeowners notice the window’s age and decreasing ability to do its job.
Rotting Frames
If your windows are still utilizing wooden frames and they are rotting, it will mean having to remove the window to repair the rotten wood. Because of the work involved in replacing the rotten wood, many people simultaneously opt to replace the windows in their Loudoun County homes.
In addition, with rotting frames, you might notice wind coming in around the window, making a room feel cooler than it should be. Rotting frames can also prove to be dangerous, as the window in your home could fall out if the structure is no longer securing it properly.
Repair VS Replace: Which Is In Your Best Interest
While there are situations where repairs are the most feasible option, one big thing to remember: modern windows are often not meant to be repaired. The double and triple-paned windows installed in homes today are considered modern windows.
Essentially, it would help if you looked at the window itself. If you are still using single-pane windows, while they can be repaired, would your home benefit from the more energy-efficient double or triple-pane windows on the market? If so, then window replacement is the best option.
If you want to refresh the look of your home with more modern windows, then window replacement is the best option when you notice your windows need a little TLC.
Window replacement is often the go-to solution for most Purcellville, VA, homeowners.
Why not opt for repair? Due to the structure of the new windows, it makes more financial sense to replace windows to ensure they are still functioning in terms of energy efficiency while also looking fabulous.
Free Window Replacement Quotes For Your Purcellville, VA, Home
If the Purcellville, VA, windows in your home are not up to your standards, then it is time to consider replacing your windows. We are here to help you make the best decision for your home.
Call us today at (703) 581–2761 to schedule your free consultation.