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Should You Repair or Replace the Windows in Your Twin Cities Home?

As the weather is warming up, homeowners all around the Twin Cities are getting outside and giving their homes a look over to see whether winter did some damage.  And some may be looking at the dent that high heating bills made in their wallets.  Regardless of where you’re at, you may be like many in the Minneapolis area who are questioning whether it’s time to replace their windows, or at least repair those that might not be working well.

Do I Repair or Replace My Windows?

When old windows are damaged or they just don’t seem to operate the way they did when they were new, it’s most likely time to either repair them or replace them.  How do you know what you should do? What are the signs that show you need repair? What are the window replacement signs to be aware of?

When windows become older, they might be damaged, or for some other reason they aren’t able to do the job they are supposed to do. They can cause utility bills to rise, they can leak moisture when it is rainy or wet outside. Or they can let in drafts (or let out your nice warm air) and make the home uncomfortable for everyone inside. They might frost over during the colder months. You can also find that they are hard to open or close the windows. There are many reasons to either replace or repair those windows.

Repairing Windows

Window repair is generally ideal when the windows are not very old and they basically are in good shape except for some minor damage.  For example, a failed seal might be corrected. Broken glass is another reason for repair.  A reputable replacement window company should be able to tell you which is the right thing to do.  At Window Outfitters, customer satisfaction is our primary concern, and we’re not going to recommend that you spend money unnecessarily.  We strive to offer our prospective customers the best window solution for them, their home, and their budget.  If all it needs is a repair, we’ll say so.

This is particularly true with historic or older homes (our specialty).  We find that often the old wood windows in these homes are in great shape, except they aren’t as energy efficient as they should be.   For homes like these, in our opinion the best thing to do is keep those gorgeous old windows and add acoustic storm windows.  We offer Mon-Ray storm windows with slim frames that allow the beauty of the window to shine through.  Historic buildings across the country have had these windows put in to add an extra layer of insulation as well as protect the wood from the elements.

Another consideration is the age of the windows.  Your windows, if new, might even be covered under warranty which means you might not have to pay anything for repair.  We’d be glad to review your window warranty with you.

Replacing Windows

Having older windows that leak air or windows that have excessive damage to them are two reasons to have the windows replaced entirely.  The greatest source of heat loss in a home is through window openings, so it’s very important to minimize any air leakage from old windows that don’t fit well in their openings.  Another reason to replace a window is if it is too hard to operate and a simple repair won’t do the trick.  For example, who wants a window that’s stuck and hard or impossible to open?  Not only is this annoying but it could also be a safety issue.

Other reasons to replace windows might have to do with the appearance of your home or wanting to improve functionality.  Perhaps you’re getting older and you’d like windows easier to operate.  Switching to sliders or casement windows might make more sense than struggling with pushing double-hung windows up or down.  Lastly, you might be thinking about reducing your home maintenance time and costs.  Replacing wood windows that require regular re-caulking and painting or staining with a maintenance-free material like fiberglass or vinyl is a good reason to replace windows as well.

Find out more about whether to replace or repair the windows that you have depending on the issues you’re dealing with. Give us a call to talk more about what we would recommend, or to have us come out and take a look.

Window Outfitters, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota home remodeling company specializing in energy-efficient exterior products like replacement windows, entry doors, and more.  We serve the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area. 

 

 

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Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.

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