Most homeowners have never replaced their windows before. They don’t know the difference between a grille and a mullion or a sash and a pane. And that’s okay! We help homeowners in every stage of the windows replacement process every day. Sometimes it’s obvious that a window needs to be replaced. If it won’t open or close, if it’s moldy or rotting, or if it’s a single pane original and you’re tired of having storm windows, we’ve got great options for you! However, not all situations are so clear. Does fogginess between the panes of glass mean you should get replacement windows? What should you do if the lawnmower shoots a rock and the glass shatters? Does the whole thing need to be replaced?
At Packerland Home Improvement, complete start-to-finish window and door replacement is all we do. When a homeowner calls our office looking to schedule a professional consultation, we ask a lot of questions. We want to make sure that before we ask someone to set aside their time to meet with us, we’ve got the type of solution they’re looking for. Most of the time it’s a match and we’re happy to schedule an appointment, but other times we’re able to best help homeowners by referring them away from us.
When a homeowner says they’re having issues with the glass of their windows, these are some of the general rules of thumb we use to determine if it’s better to repair or replace:
You should replace your windows when:
- You’re having multiple issues (operation, rotting, draftiness, appearance, etc) in the broken window or in other windows in the home.
- You want to make a style change (crank outs to double hung, awning to glider, etc) in addition to fixing the damage.
- You have single pane windows with or without storm windows and you’re looking for something more energy efficient, easy to use, and quieter.
You should consider glass replacement when:
- The only issue with the window is that the glass is broken or foggy.
- The only issue is water/condensation between the panes of glass.
- The glass gets condensation in an oval shape in the center of it during cold weather but hasn’t broken.
Depending on the age and manufacturer of the window and the circumstances of the situation, you may be covered under a warranty so this should always be your first call. Following the lead of the Andersen Corporation, many window manufacturers etch their company name in the corner of the glass or place a label somewhere you can see only when the window is open. If you’re unsure of the manufacturer, this is a great place to start.
If your situation doesn’t fall into a warranted replacement, a local glass replacement company is a relatively inexpensive way to repair a broken or foggy window. They have a variety of methods to do this from replacing a glass pack to re-pressurizing the sash and will be able to guide you through the process.
If you’re thinking you need a professional opinion or are ready to fully replace the windows in your home, give us a call. We’re happy to walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you decide the next best step to improve your home and return to a clear view!
