A Closer Look At Material Options for Home Window Repair

According to Energy Sage, Colorado Springs, CO, residents spend around $132 on monthly electricity bills. So, within a year, they would have spent nearly $1,600 on electricity alone!

If you have a typical household but your electric bills are much higher than average, your home likely has inefficient systems and structures. Windows in disrepair is a perfect example.

The good news is that, in many cases, home window repair is still a viable option. So, you don’t automatically have to opt for full replacements just because your windows have developed flaws and problems.

Our expert team at Complete Window Care will explore some of the top window repair options in this guide. Keep reading to discover:

Window materials commonly used for repairs
When full replacements are already necessary
Window maintenance strategies to help prevent premature repairs

Let’s dive right in!

Window Materials Commonly Used for Repairs

As the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) points out, aluminum windows can last 15 to 20 years, while vinyl or fiberglass ones can last two to four decades. On the other hand, wood windows have a lifespan of 30+ years.

However, remember that windows have many other wear-and-tear components that would need replacing sooner. Here are some of them.

Caulking

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat gains and losses through windows account for 25% to 30% of energy used for home heating and cooling. In many cases, caulking material in poor condition can contribute to this energy waste.

Caulk is a flexible, water-proof material that seals the gaps and joints between building materials like doors and windows. Its primary purpose is to prevent air and water leaks. However, they wear out over time, and when this happens, they can degrade enough to cause windows to develop:

Drafts or air leakages
Moisture damage
Rot and mold growth

Luckily, having faulty or degraded caulking won’t force you to replace the entire window. Your local licensed window technician in Colorado Springs, CO, can replace and repair damaged window caulking.

Glazing Beads

Glazing beads, also called “glazing strips” or “glazing bars,” are strips of material that secure glass panes into window frames. They’re trim pieces found around a glass unit’s perimeter and held in place with fasteners or screws.

A window’s glass pane can shift, rattle, or break without glazing beads. For the same reason, their being in good condition can help improve window safety, as they evenly distribute the weight of glass panes across frames. They also help create more energy-efficient windows by preventing air and water from entering or exiting the edges.

Considering that glazing beads bear the weight of glass panes, it’s understandable that they can wear and tear over time. When this happens, the window’s energy efficiency decreases, and its integrity can suffer.

Fortunately, glazing beads are replaceable window components. At Complete Window Care, we offer affordable replacement glazing beads. Our highly experienced window technicians can also help you with the repair and replacement process.

Window Hardware

Window hardware is the umbrella term for all of a window’s mechanical, movable, and operative parts, including:

Hinges
Handles
Sash locks
Cranks
Latches

Because they are movable, window hardware can wear and tear faster than non-operable parts. When they break down, they can compromise window functions. For instance, you may be unable to close or open a window with a stripped crank, or your windows won’t stay up if they’ve got broken sashes and locks.

Faulty window hardware can also compromise the glass pane.

For instance, say you’ve opened and locked a hung window. Unfortunately, the latch has become so degraded that it breaks down while the window is still open. In this case, the sash can come crashing down, causing the pane to rattle so much that it may crack or shatter.

An even more serious issue with faulty window hardware is that it can compromise your home’s security if you can no longer lock your windows. As CNET points out, millions of burglaries occur yearly in the United States, causing homeowners to lose an average of $2,660. The most common way burglars gain unauthorized access to homes is through unlocked doors or windows.

So, before any of those disastrous things occur, have your faulty window hardware repaired or replaced as soon as possible. The expert technicians at Complete Window Care can quickly fix or replace them for you.

Window Glass

Window glass replacement can be more cost-effective than complete window replacements if the problem is simply due to a broken pane. Window panes can break for many different reasons, such as:

Direct impact from objects like hail, stray balls, and other solid, heavy debris
Extreme temperature changes that cause severe thermal stress to the glass
Improper window installation
Severe wind pressure during storms
Unaddressed chips or cracks in the pane

Earthquakes can also cause window panes to break or shatter. As the Colorado Geological Survey explains, the Centennial State is an active tectonic province with over 90 potentially active faults and has recorded over 700 seismic activities of 2.5 or higher magnitude. So, while fewer earthquakes occur here than in states like California, they still happen, and when they do, they can cause window panes to break.

Regardless of why you now have broken glass panes, our team at Complete Window Care will happily fix them. If the rest of your window is in good condition, we may be able to replace just the damaged panes for a more budget-friendly repair option.

When Full Window Replacements Are Already Necessary

A complete replacement may already be in order if you have a window with a failing outer structure. Some of the most common indications of a failed window structure are:

Condensation or fogginess inside double-paned or triple-paned insulated glass units (IGU)
Excessive water infiltration around the window
Decaying or rotting window frame

If you notice one or more of the signs above, please don’t delay having your windows inspected by a licensed and experienced window technician. Remember, water infiltration can cause water damage and mold growth, which can be much costlier to repair.

Damp and moldy environments can also have adverse health effects. They can cause respiratory issues (e.g., coughing, wheezing, allergy/asthma attacks) and even skin rashes.

Window Maintenance Strategies to Help Prevent Premature Repairs

Considering how expensive new windows are, your top priority should be to make your existing ones last as long as possible. Fortunately, window maintenance is pretty straightforward and doesn’t require specialized tools.

Routinely Clean Window Panes

Routinely cleaning window panes can help:

Maintain your windows’ aesthetic appearance
Prevent dirt and dust from covering your beautiful views of the outdoors
Minimize the odds of weep holes becoming clogged with debris

Clean microfiber towels and plain water will suffice if you clean your window panes regularly (about once a month). If there’s significant build-up, you can use white vinegar diluted in water to clean the panes and leave them shiny and streak-free.

Keep Window Tracks Clear

Window tracks are the spaces where your windows fit and allow you to open and close them. They’re a magnet for dust, dirt, dead insects, leaves, and other debris.

When tracks become clogged, you’ll have difficulty operating your windows. The debris can also block weep holes, the small window openings that allow water to drain out. Clogged weep holes can allow water to build up, resulting in moisture damage and mold growth.

So, make it a habit to clean window tracks once every two to three months. You can use your vacuum cleaner’s crevice attachment for this job. You can also use Q-tips moistened with clean water to dislodge and remove more stubborn build-up.

Regularly Inspect Windows

Regular inspections can help you identify potential issues with your windows before they worsen and become more expensive problems. You can perform this task whenever you clean your window panes.

Keep this checklist handy when inspecting your windows so that you know what to look for:

Signs of moisture, scratches, or cracks on window panes
Rips, holes, and tears on window screens
Gaps and cracks on caulking, seals, and casing
Signs of warping on your window screens’ spline
Locks that you have difficulty engaging
Loose screws
Damaged and uneven weather-stripping
Cranks and handles that feel wobbly or loose
Water damage or mold growth

It’s also wise to test your windows for air leaks. If it’s a cold day, go inside, shut the window, and hold your hands about one inch from the frame. If your hands feel cold, the window is likely drafty and may need re-caulking or re-sealing.

Need Reliable Home Window Repair in Colorado Springs, CO?

And there you have it: your comprehensive guide on home window repair options, when a complete replacement is better, and window maintenance tactics. Now that you know more about these topics, you can make more educated decisions regarding the care and the repair vs. replacement of your home windows.

If you need professional help getting your windows back in top shape, Complete Window Care is ready to help! Our family-owned and operated company delivers top-of-the-line window repair and glass replacement services throughout Colorado Springs, CO, and nearby areas. Our primary door and window technician and co-owner, Mike Smith, has over 18 years of industry experience.