Are you experiencing drafts, water leaks, or a sudden surge in energy bills in your home? Your windows might be the culprit.
Over time, windows can develop gaps, worn seals, or damage, leading to heat loss, moisture intrusion, and increased energy consumption.
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to decide between repair and replacement. This article discusses the benefits of repairing vs. replacing windows to help you determine which option is best for your home.
Window Repair Examples
When deciding between repairing or replacing windows, it’s important to weigh the costs, benefits, and long-term impact on your home.
Repairing windows is often a more cost-effective solution, especially for minor issues like small cracks, broken seals, or minor drafts. Repairs can extend the life of your existing windows and improve their functionality without the need for a full replacement.
Sealing Cracks
Cracks in windows can lead to drafts, water leaks, and energy loss, which can cause lots of issues in a home. Fortunately, minor cracks in window frames or panels are often repairable.
Caulk or waterproof sealant can effectively seal cracks and gaps, preventing drafts and moisture intrusion. Sealing cracks with caulk or waterproof sealant typically costs between $5 and $20 per tube, depending on the quality and brand. A professional repair may range from $100 to $300 per window, which is still significantly cheaper than replacing an entire window.
Additional Insulation
Adding insulation to existing windows is a common repair strategy that can greatly improve a home’s energy efficiency without the need for replacements.
Weatherstripping, thermal curtains, caulking, or insulating window film—which cost between $5 to $20 per square foot—can help seal gaps and reduce heat transfer. These repairs are ideal for expensive windows that are structurally sound but have minor issues with drafts or insulation, typically caused by aging seals, minor frame damage, or wear and tear from weather exposure.
On the other hand, if your windows are single-pane or severely outdated, replacing them with double- or triple-pane options might provide better insulation and long-term savings on energy bills.
Condensation
Condensation occurs when humid air comes into contact with a cold surface. In the case of windows, it’s often a sign of poor insulation or high humidity levels—issues that can sometimes be fixed through basic repairs. Such fixes include using a dehumidifier, applying weatherstripping, or improving the ventilation in your home.
Condensation between double or triple glazing is a common indication of a failed seal, which reduces insulation efficiency. Removing and replacing the affected glazing unit can prevent further moisture buildup and restore energy efficiency.
If you’re dealing with fogged-up windows, you can try defogging them by drilling small holes at the top and bottom of the affected window. The top hole is for moisture to escape, while the bottom hole is used to insert silica gel desiccant through a small funnel.
The desiccant will absorb the moisture trapped between the two panels. Give it a few hours until the moisture is gone, then seal the holes with silicone to prevent future fogging.
Signs Your Window Needs Replacement
If DIY repairs fail to fix the abovementioned issues, it may be time to consider window replacement.
Though they often have a high upfront cost, new windows offer improved energy efficiency, better insulation, and enhanced aesthetics. These can increase your home’s value and reduce utility bills over time. New windows also reduce the risk of accidental injury due to broken glass and break-ins.
Here are some common signs that your windows need a replacement:
Broken Panes
Extensive physical damage to window panes, such as cracks or breakage, can’t be fixed with simple repairs and often requires a full glass replacement.
Broken panes not only affect the aesthetics of the window but also compromise your home security. Damaged glass can make it easier for intruders to break in and may also fail under severe weather conditions, increasing the risk of injury and property damage.
When looking for a replacement, opt for high-quality tempered or laminated glass. Both are excellent options with varying benefits.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is known for its strength and safety. It’s treated with heat and chemicals to make it up to five times stronger than regular glass. And if it breaks, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together with a clear plastic interlayer called polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This bonding technique makes laminated glass highly resistant to impact damage. In the rare chance that it does break, the glass fragments adhere to the plastic interlayer, keeping the broken glass together.
Laminated glass also offers superior sound insulation, with a 6.5 mm sheet reducing noise levels by approximately 32 decibels at an average frequency of 400 Hz.
To put that into perspective, traffic noise is around 70 dB. With 32 dB of reduction, this noise would be perceived at 38 dB, similar to a quiet library.
Additionally, laminated glass can absorb up to 99% of damaging UV rays, preventing fading in furniture.
Damaged Frames
Wooden, aluminum, or vinyl frames degrade over time due to weather exposure, rot, or warping.
Cracked, soft, or severely warped windows not only make them difficult to open and close but also allow air, water, and bugs to enter the house. They may also put uneven stress on the glass, increasing the risk of cracks or breakage over time. To prevent further structural issues and improve insulation, a full window replacement is ideal.
If the glass is undamaged and fits standard sizes, you may remove the old frame and install a new one while keeping the same glass. However, double- or triple-glazed windows are often factory-sealed, making it difficult to just replace the frame without breaking the seal.
How Old Are Your Windows?
Residential windows typically have a lifespan of 15 to 30 years. Once they reach that age, the seals start to weaken and fail, and the frames start to wrap and crack.
Modern windows have come a long way from their decade-old counterparts, so replacing your old windows can be a great way to improve your home security and reduce energy bills every month.
Water Leaks
Another common indicator that your windows need to be replaced is water leakage.
Minor leaks can be remedied with new seals or caulking, but if you notice that the leaking still continues after a repair, it’s best to have the window replaced, stat.
Water leakage can lead to mold, rot, and structural damage, which can result in costly repairs that may exceed that of a window replacement.
Poor Soundproofing
If you want to improve the soundproofing of your windows, a replacement is worth considering.
Poor soundproofing is a common issue with older or single-pane windows. Standard windows often lack the necessary insulation to block outside noise, allowing sounds like traffic, construction, or neighborhood activity to seep into your home.
Upgrading to double- or triple-pane windows substantially improves the soundproofing of your home.
Laminated glass, in particular, is highly effective at reducing noise because the plastic interlayer between the glass panes absorbs sound vibrations.
You can also opt for glass-sealed units with enhanced acoustics, such as those with argon or krypton between the panes.
Is It Better To Repair or Replace Windows?
Here are some factors to consider when deciding to replace or repair windows:
Cost
Generally, window repairs are up to 75% cheaper than window replacements.
Basic repairs like caulking or weatherstripping typically cost $20 to $65 for a DIY project or $65 to $190 if done by a professional.
Seals on a double-glazed window can cost between $65 and $250, while frame repairs can cost between $125 and $500, depending on the material and the extent of the damage. Similarly, hardware components like locks, handles, and hinges fall between $25 and $125 per part.
In comparison, a full window replacement can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 per window, depending on the size, type, material, and labor costs. Companies like Evergreen Door & Window offer financing options that allow homeowners to spread payments monthly instead of paying upfront, but the monthly cost can still be quite steep when replacing multiple windows.
With that said, there are some cases in which a full replacement can be cheaper in the long run. Repairing a deteriorating frame, fixing multiple seals, and replacing broken hardware may cost nearly as much as a new window without offering the same long-term benefits. Moreover, older windows often lack energy-efficient features, translating to higher energy bills over time.
Aesthetics
Repairing glass windows won’t improve the aesthetics of your home and may even affect its value. Most homebuyers look for modern, energy-efficient windows because they reduce long-term maintenance costs.
If your windows appear outdated or in poor condition with noticeable patchwork repairs, buyers may factor in the cost of replacement when making an offer, leading to lower selling prices.
