Author: Bill Hoelzer / Published: March 2021 / Read Time: Three and a Half Minutes

If you have older windows, you may notice issues like drafts or foggy window panes. Does it make sense to repair your windows or replace them?

In this article, you’ll find a rundown of when to repair older windows and when to install new windows. If you'd like an appointment to install new windows in Portland or Central Oregon, please give us a call at 541.330.8767, or self schedule an appointment online:

Book an Appointment

Cheat Sheet: Repair or Replace Windows

When to repair windows

Cracked or broken glass
Small drafts / water leakage
Limited functionality
Minor aesthetic concerns
Foggy windows (sometimes)

When to replace windows

Rot or structural issues

Indoor temperature variations
Lead paint and dust
Curb appeal and resale value

Here’s When to Repair Your Windows

First, a good rule of thumb

If you have only one of the following concerns - like a broken window pane in an otherwise perfect window - then you should repair your window without any reservations.

However, if your concerns start to add up - like a foggy window that doesn’t open and close properly - you should seriously consider replacing the window.

Cracked or broken glass

With single-pane windows, it's easy enough to swap out a broken window pane with a new one. But what about double or triple-pane windows? If you have a broken multi pane window, you'll need to remove and replace the sash as well. It's possible to do this repair yourself, but most people will want to hire a professional.

For window repair in Portland, we recommend Portland Town and Country Glass, and in Central Oregon, you’d do well to get in touch with Great Northern Window and Door.

Small drafts / water leakage

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that the average home loses up to a third of its heat through windows and doors. You can limit the amount of air and water entering your home with a combination of caulking and weather-stripping.

Start by checking your window for gaps that let in air and water. You can fill any small gaps with inexpensive and easy-to-use rope caulk. Larger gaps can be filled with a heavy-duty self adhesive weatherstrip seal, but if you have larger gaps, it’s probably time to replace your windows.

Limited functionality

If you have a tough time opening your windows, chances are that they’re sealed shut with layers of paint, or you have broken cords or sash weights.

It’s pretty straightforward to free your window from paint with a putty knife, but you’ll probably want to hire a professional to repair broken cords or sash weight. For anyone feeling emboldened to replace their own sash cords, here's a helpful video showing you how to remove window trim and step-by-step instructions to replace a broken sash cord.

Minor aesthetic concerns

Given enough time and exposure to the elements, window paint will inevitably start to peel, and the glazing will chip away. Follow a few simple steps to repair the damage and repaint. At a glance:

Scrape away the loose paint and glazing
Sand any painted surfaces
Dust and clean the windows
Seal gaps with caulking
Repair window glazing as needed

If your windows were installed before the mid-1970s (and especially before the 1960s), you’ll need to take extra steps to protect against lead exposure, which can cause irreversible damage to both children and pets.

Foggy windows (sometimes)

You'll see condensation on the inside of your window when warm, moist indoor air comes in contact with a cold window pane - typically a single pane window. Start by wiping off your window, but if you want to limit the amount of condensation in the future (without replacing your window), you’ll need to reduce the amount of moisture in your air.

Sources of moisture vary, but in general, you can make strides towards reducing moisture with a dehumidifier or with better ventilation, like the Panasonic Whispergreen bathroom fan.

Condensation in between your window panes indicates that you have a broken window seal. Your first step should be to contact the window manufacturer. Milgard windows come with a lifetime guarantee, and Milgard would fix a broken seal at no cost for any windows under warranty.

If your windows are out of warranty, you can hire a professional to repair a broken seal, but the repair costs will start to add up, especially if the seal on more than one window starts to fail. At this point, replacing your windows becomes a better option.

Here’s When to Replace Your Windows

Rot or structural issues

Most people don’t let their windows get to this point, but we have to mention that you should replace your windows if their structure starts to fail or if you notice major water leakage. Both threaten the integrity of your home and could compromise the health of anyone living there.

Indoor temperature variations

Older windows can cause dramatic temperature differences during the heat of summer and dead of winter.

Winter: In the winter, the average American Home losses 25 to 30% of its heat through the windows (energy.gov).
Summer: In the summer, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters the home to become heat (energy.gov).

When you replace older windows with high performance windows, you’ll notice a much more consistent temperature between rooms regardless of the season.

What’s more, you’ll save money on your energy bills by reducing the amount of heat loss and heat gain through your windows. ENERGY STAR estimates that replacing older windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows will cut the average household energy bill by about 12%.

Lead paint and dust

Many of our clients decide to replace older windows because they want to use them without fear of exposing their loved ones to lead.

The United States banned lead-based paints in 1978. Any homes built before 1978 likely have some amount of lead paint. Rubbing and friction - like opening and shutting windows - causes the lead paint to flake and enter indoor air as lead-contaminated dust.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls out lead paint and contaminated dust as the most widespread and hazardous sources of lead exposure for children in the United States. There isn’t a safe level of lead exposure for children that’s been identified.

Lead exposure can cause all kinds of issues, including:

Damage to the brain and nervous system
Slowed growth and development
Learning and behavior problems

All of this is to say that older windows with lead paint pose a threat to children. One option is to keep the windows permanently shut with diligent maintenance on the paint and glazing. The other option is to remove the windows (and the lead hazard), replacing them with new energy efficient windows.

Curb appeal and resale value

Modern windows - especially Milgard windows - look beautiful. From the outside, we’re talking about a boost to your home’s curb appeal, and with curb appeal comes resale value.

Remodeling Magazine estimates that the average homeowner in our region can expect to recoup more than 80% of the cost to replace their windows in the resale value of their home.

In terms of added resale value, new windows rank near the top of the list, far above other upgrades that most people connect with resale value. On average, a midrange major kitchen remodel returns only 68% during the resale, and an additional bathroom returns 67% in the Pacific region.

At the End of the Day

We find that homeowners tend to repair older windows when their concerns are limited or when the resources aren’t available to install new windows.

For most of our clients, new windows make a lot of sense. There aren’t many home improvements that increase comfort, safety, and curb appeal - all while cutting energy bills.

Learn More About Windows

Start by visiting our window resource pages for homeowners in Portland or Bend, Oregon. You can also keep reading our latest blog articles about energy efficient windows.

Featured