Increasingly, homeowners are replacing windows with new vinyl, fiberglass, wood, or metal windows instead of repairing their current wood windows. The reason for this is that replacement window companies and manufacturers have been offering lower prices on replacement windows in the last two decades, due to improved manufacturing techniques and the introduction of vinyl and fiberglass framed windows. It doesn't hurt to have a cheap workforce of window installers to install those replacement windows.
But many homeowners with old windows are interested in repairing, rather than replacing. If your windows have three or more of the following problems in this replacement window checklist, it is probably time to replace rather than repair.
- Cracked or broken glass.
- Rotting or split muntins.
- Upper or lower sash unable to move.
- Missing or rotting drip (The exterior "shield" above the top of the window).
- Loose, cracked, rotting, or missing exterior casing (trim).
- Missing or brittle potty holding glass panes to the muntins.
- Excessive water infiltration.
