How to evaluate old ones and
select new ones
Q. Many of the
windows in my 1964 home are a hassle to open and they don’t close tightly. Is
it time to chuck them and buy all new windows?
Click image to enlarge.
New
windows offer a host of benefits—smooth operation, low maintenance, fewer
drafts, easier cleaning and modest energy savings. But they're expensive, so
evaluate the repair and maintenance options for your old windows before taking
the plunge.
A. Tough question. New windows are
tempting because they offer so much—smoother operation, lower maintenance,
energy savings, fewer drafts and easier cleaning. But they’re expensive.
Typical residential windows cost $150 to $400 each, depending on their size,
materials and features. If you add in the $100 to $300 per window that a pro
charges to install them, you’re facing a major investment.
Ask yourself the
following three questions to evaluate your old windows and weigh the benefits
of new ones.
1. Are Your Old Windows a
Hassle?
Are you sick and tired
of nursing your windows along, or are you OK with the minor maintenance jobs
that go along with them? Consider:
-
Ease of
operation. Do they lift, swing or slide easily, or do you hesitate
to open them when you want ventilation?
-
Scraping and
painting. Painted windows require regular maintenance. Otherwise
they’ll rot and fall apart. New windows with aluminum or vinyl cladding or that
are made from vinyl or a composite eliminate this chore.
-
Condensation.
Does condensation regularly collect on the glass, cloud the view and soak the
window trim? Higher-efficiency glass in new windows will help reduce this
problem.
-
Storm windows.
Do you mind cleaning, maintaining and putting up and taking down storm windows?
Do your storms need replacement?
-
Cleaning. Is
this so difficult that you avoid doing it? Many new windows are designed to
make cleaning a snap.
2. Are Your Old Windows
Comfortable?
Single-pane windows
often leave rooms feeling chilly and dry in cold weather and overheated in
warm, sunny weather. Windows with double-pane glass can greatly improve
the comfort of your home. They can block much of the heat of direct sunlight
but still allow the light to come through (less need for shades). They’ll
reduce cold drafts and the chill of cold glass. And they’ll reduce condensation
so you can keep the indoor humidity at a higher, more comfortable level in cold
weather.
New energy-efficient
windows will also save on your fuel bills but rarely enough to justify the
investment if your old windows are still in good shape.
3. Are Your Old Windows Worth
Repairing?
You can almost always
repair and restore old windows if you’re willing to set aside the time and can
find replacement hardware. But it’s not always worth the effort and expense.
Major problems include:
-
Rot. Once rot
starts, it’s tough to stop unless you commit yourself to replacing rotted wood
(a difficult job) and then maintaining it regularly. Consider
replacement.
-
Sagging casement (crank-out)
windows.You can usually replace worn-out crank mechanisms, but bent
or worn hinges are tougher and replacements don’t always solve the problem.
Consider new windows.
-
Fogged double-pane
glass. The fogging that occurs between the glass panes can’t be
fixed. Glass replacement (sometimes the entire sash) is the only solution. This
is often difficult and it’s expensive if a pro does it. Compare the “fix-it”
cost with the cost of a new window.
-
Hard-to-find replacement
hardware. Call the window manufacturer or local window dealer if you
can identify the window brand and model number. Many hard-to-find parts are
available from Blaine Window Hardware (800-678-1919, www.blainewindow.com). But
often new windows are the only option.
Q. What’s the best way to replace my
windows?
A.
Option 1: The
easiest way to replace windows is to remove the old sashes and slip a window
insert into the old frame (photo below). You get the benefits
of high-efficiency glass, weathertightness and a maintenance-free exterior with
minimal impact on the appearance of your home.
You simply measure the frame and order a new wood
or vinyl unit to fit it. This always works for double-hung (slide up and down)
windows but only sometimes for casements (crank out) and sliding windows. A
window dealer will advise you on your options. Or you can opt for sash
replacement, which works for double-hungs only.
You can complete the
changeout this way in about an hour per window (or much less after learning the
ropes on the first one!). But this approach has several drawbacks. The old
frame must be rot-free and reasonably square. And you still have to maintain
the exterior wood frame and trim.
Option 2:
Completely tear out the old window and frame and put in a new one (photo
below).You usually have to go this route with casement and slider
windows. This project takes longer and is more difficult because you have to
remove the exterior and interior trim, make the new window weathertight and
then replace the trim. Plan on spending a whole day per
window.
On the plus side, this
method allows you to start fresh with a new, weathertight, low-maintenance
window. And you have the option of reframing the opening and changing the
window size while you’re at it.
Keep in mind that
complications can arise if your old window doesn’t have exterior trim.
Sometimes brick, stucco, vinyl siding or other siding materials butt right up
against the window frame. In these situations, you may have to remove or cut
siding to get the old window out and the new one in, and then patch or restore
siding to finish up.
OPTION 1:
Wood or vinyl window inserts cost about the same as complete new window units
but are easy to install because you leave the old frame and trim
intact.
OPTION 2:
With new window units, you replace all the old parts with new, assuring
weathertight, long-term performance. But installation is more
difficult.
Q. Should I replace
them all at once?
A. Balance
your home’s appearance with your budget. Even if you try for a close match, new
windows will probably look a bit different from the old. And even the glass
itself (we recommend the low-E) usually looks somewhat different from clear
glass. So replacing one or two in a conspicuous area may look bad. One good
strategy is to replace all the windows on one side (or level if you have a
two-story house) to retain a consistent appearance. Often the windows on one
side of a house deteriorate much faster than the others.
Q. How do I know I’m getting a good-quality
window?
A. Quality is a
matter of detail. So we strongly recommend that you visit a showroom where you
can compare windows of different brands or different models within the same
brand. Check these features and answer these questions:
Appearance.
Imagine the windows in your home. Does the style of the windows blend well on
the interior and exterior? Are the wood or vinyl joints well made? Do the
muntins (grids that divide the glass) fit tightly and cleanly? Is the hardware
attractive? Unless you’re trying to match existing window colors, choose a
low-maintenance exterior (such as vinyl or aluminum) so you’ll never have to
scrape and touch up the paint.
Operation. Try out the display windows. Do they open
and close smoothly? Are the cranks, runners and locking devices solid and do
they look as though they’ll withstand heavy use? Does the window latch firmly
without too much effort? Does the weatherstripping fit snugly? Are the screens
solidly built and easy to remove?
Cleaning. If
cleaning is a priority, can you easily reach both interior and exterior glass?
Remove or rotate the sashes to test them.
Service. Are
parts available if something should break or wear out? Can you replace the
weatherstripping when it wears out? Both these questions favor window companies
with long track records because they’ll likely serve their customers well into
the future. If the glass breaks or fogs, how difficult and costly is
replacement?
Warranties.
Compare the warranties for parts and finishes. Probably the most frustrating
(and expensive) problem is the failure of the seal between double-pane glass
and the resulting fogging. Look for a warranty that covers glass replacement up
to 20 years.
Note: Keep the
receipt for your window purchase and the warranty in your
records.
Glass
selection. Energy-efficient double-pane glass is fairly standard
now. But it’s almost always worth paying a bit extra for two additional
features: a low-E coating and argon gas between the panes. Most manufacturers
have two variations of this type of glass, one designed for cold climates and
one designed to control sunlight in warmer climates. If you spend more for air
conditioning than for heating, choose the warm-climate type, and if you spend
more for heating, choose the cold-climate type.
Double-pane glass eliminates the need for storm windows and is
standard in most new windows. Two low-cost extras, a low-E film and argon gas
between the panes, are worth the slightly higher price for both comfort and
energy efficiency.
Buyer’s Guide
Vinyl Windows
Many sources available
for both inserts and complete units; look in your local Yellow Pages under
“Windows, Replacement.”
Wood Replacement Windows
Many sources available
for complete units. The following manufacturers will custom-size inserts to fit
in old frames.
ANDERSEN CORP.:
(800) 426-4261. www.andersenwindow.com
CARADCO: (800)
238-1866. www.caradco.com
KOLBE & KOLBE
MILLWORK: (715) 842-5666. www.kolbe-kolbe.com
PELLA CORP.:
(800) 847-3552. www.pella.com
MARVIN WINDOWS AND
DOORS: (888) 537-8268. www.marvin.com
WEATHER SHIELD
MFG.: (800) 477-6808. www.weathershield.com
