Most homeowners tend to assume that window replacement will be a more efficient fix and will guarantee greater long-term functionality than home window repair. Though window replacement is often a great solution, there are some instances when home window repair is a preferable option.
Below, we discuss some instances in which home window repair may be the most useful solution in terms of cost, ease, and maintaining long-term home value.
Home Window Repair for Drafty Windows
Typically, the problem with drafty windows is not in the window itself, but cracked or peeling caulking, gaps in frames, dividers, and sashes, or rotting wood. Drafty windows are a ubiquitous problem, but they are also relatively inexpensive and simple to repair on your own. This home window repair option may run you between $50 and $200 to replace a bad sash, approximately $10 per foot for fresh weatherstripping, or as little as a couple of dollars for a tube of painter’s caulk to seal gaps.
While finishing home window repair for air leaks, extend your inspection to other areas of the home such as door frames, attic hatches, or furnace flues. These may also be culprits for draftiness that have been adding unnecessarily to your energy bill!
Got old windows? While window replacement is great, sometimes home window repair is a better option. | © CC BY 2.0 flickr.com / Barney Moss
Home Window Repair for Sticky or Creaky Windows
If you are having difficulty opening and closing windows, or if they creak when handled, the problem is in the window’s hardware, and home window repair is probably necessary. Here, home window repair may be as simple as cleaning the hardware and applying white lithium grease, which is typically under $4. If this doesn’t solve the problem, replacing the hardware is the way to go, and this tends to cost around $40.
If your windows will not properly or fully close, consider purchasing a new latch, which will vary in cost based on style, usually between $10 and $40.
Home Window Repair for Condensation Build-Up
Have you been noticing streaks or condensation between the glass of double or triple pane windows? The problem is likely in the seals, and you probably have what are sometimes known as “blown” windows. These develop naturally over time as the weather warms up and cools down, causing the seals to expand and contract.
Home window repair for this issue is relatively quick, easy, and inexpensive, as it is likely that only the sash will need to be replaced. Expect to pay between $50-$200 for a new sash. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to solve this home window repair issue with painter’s caulk, as you might be able to for drafts.
As with any maintenance project, it is important to identify what the issue at hand is before diving into replacement purchases. Simple inexpensive home window repair ideas such as these may be your best bet for your home, stress levels, and wallet. For help with your home window repair, or for help identifying the problem with a malfunctioning window, be sure to check out our database of local contractors today.
