Should You Repair Or Replace Your Home Windows? | Oahu, HI
One of the things that always represents a concern for any homeowner is their property’s windows. Many have difficulty figuring out, when the time comes, whether they should repair the ones already in place or have them replaced completely. There are several clues that can help them make the right decision, including when they seem worn or damaged. This will then raise the question of whether it’s worth spending the money on new windows or you should just get new glass. Keep in mind that in many cases changing only the glass can be almost as costly as replacing the entire window. It mostly depends on the difficulty of its removal and any damage found in the surrounding area, especially given the fact that, when your windows are old, the cost of replacing them will be offset by stronger and longer-lasting home windows. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the various ways in which you can know whether you must repair or replace your home windows in Oahu, HI.
The Many Reasons Why You Should Repair or Replace Your Home Windows
The decision to repair or replace your windows is made easy when certain problems start appearing, including the following:
- The wood around your home windows is rotting. This situation often happens after many years of exposure to water. Cracked paint and the poor application of sealant around the windows can allow water to seep into the exposed areas, leading to the formation of mold, which then leads to the rotting of the wood. Rot is usually found in the outside frames of the window, the inside sashes when water from your sprinkler or rain gets in, and the dividers. Caught soon enough, the rot can be repaired, but oftentimes it isn’t discovered until it’s too late and has affected the integrity of the wood. This is one case in which the replacement of your home windows is fully warranted.
- The window panes have broken. Whether your window pane cracks or breaks from that baseball your neighbor’s children sent flying your way, or from a bird who didn’t realize there was a window in its path, or as a result of a particularly bad storm, if only the glass is damaged, your best bet is to have your window inspected and the glass replaced. This is, of course, if the crack or break has extended into the frame, it’s best to replace the whole thing.
- The window’s seals are worn or broken. The constant exposure to the sun and rain can cause your home window’s seals to wear down and crack and break. Unfortunately, this is one of the most difficult problems to solve. Once the seal has broken, it becomes almost impossible to salvage the specific pane, regardless of how undamaged it may seem. Because of this, replacing the entire window is usually the best option.
- The windows are stuck in place. This problem is normally found in older homes in which certain windows haven’t been opened in a very long time. It happens when the material of the window frame expands and contracts with the heat and humidity and ends up getting stuck. When this happens, it’s best to replace the window instead of risking damage to the surrounding area when trying to get it to open.
The Age of Your Home Windows: Another Factor to Consider
The age of your home and your windows should always be taken into account when you are thinking whether replacement is right for you. No matter how undamaged your windows may seem, if they are old, replacement is almost always a good decision. There are many reasons for this, let’s look at just a few.
- Old windows can make your home less efficient. These days, eco-friendliness and energy efficiency are the name of the game. Everybody wants to find ways to lower their energy use, and new windows is one of the best ways to achieve that goal.
- New window materials last longer. Old windows are usually made out of wood and glass, but over the last 2 decades, more resistant and durable materials, such as fiberglass, have proved to be the better choices, especially given their ability to insulate your home more efficiently and for a longer time. Wood, while still one of the most popular choices for windows, requires more recurrent maintenance and treatment, the lack of which can lead to a quicker breakdown of the material.
- Old windows can still have lead based paint. It is well known that residue from lead based paint can harm a child’s health. Replacing old windows can eliminate this problem from your home, especially if your home was built before 1960. Keep in mind that replacing these old windows should be handled by a licensed professional, due to the health hazard involved in doing so.
While your home windows can define the look of your property as a whole, especially if it’s an older building, and changing them to more modern designs could affect the market value of your property, having them repaired can sometimes seem to be your only option. When this happens, you should first get an Oahu, HI professional to determine the exact nature of the problem and weigh your options before making a decision. If the problem is confined to a certain area, it might be worth looking into repairing it or replacing just that section with a design match in a more durable version before deciding on its complete removal.
How Long Do Home Windows Last?
Providing your Oahu, HI home windows with proper maintenance they should remain in good shape for at least 25 years, depending on the materials used to build them. At Sunburst Windows of Hawaii we are happy to help you make the decision to repair or replace your existing windows by conducting a professional inspection of your windows and presenting you with all the options available to you, as well as a cost estimate to fit your budget. So, if you are looking to get your windows in good working order, give us a call today!
