If there are any professional contractors or handymen out there on ST? I have need of your online expertise. My house is about 25 yrs old and has all the original windows. I’m in a Canuk climate so window winter insulation is important. I’m not a totally bad handyman but know squat about windows.
When looking from the outside you don’t see any obvious window frame damage. All my frames are wood as opposed to vinyl used nowadays. On a really cold winter day, I can feel a noticeable draft behind some of the windows and not much behind others. All these windows would have double glass which is typical of nothern clime insulation. Some have no sign of frosting between the window panes while others (the ones with the draft) tend to show obvious signs of winter frosting.
My question is can double pain windows that are frosting be repaired/recaulked or should I just replace them. If I’m replacing the windows, should I replace the entire wood frame with vinyl or keep the original outer frame if it’s still good and just go with the new insert. You have to wonder how much longer a 25 yr old wood window frame will last.
I’d prefer to repair vs replace if possible because it’s cheaper, but will cough up if necessary. I’ve been told that once the seals are gone between the double window insulation that you might as well replace the windows. Is this so?
I also understand the window glass technology has changed from 25 yrs ago and is more energy efficient nowadays? Is this true?
I’m not planning on staying in this house forever, but then who knows. I want to save money but also have to consider reasale value if the job is done right, but cost vs value is another consideration. Kind of like purchasing a tri equipment - how much time will you really save on a Zipp disc vs an aero cover.
I’m going to start googling to become an educated consumer, but ST LR is always a good place to begin. Any thoughts from those of you in the know or any suggested urls will be very appreciated.
You’re asking a lot of questions, they’re all pretty good by the way. The technology has improved dramatically over 25 years, but even the most energy efficient windows are still piss poor insulators. Unless you’re going to replace every window in your house, just make them match. If there is any UV coating on the new windows and none on the existing, despite any manufacturer claims they, they will be noticeably different from the exterior.
Yes, once the seal is broken on a multi-paned window that sash is pretty much fucked. What is “frosting” now will most likely turn into mildew and I have seen some that become totally occluded. That said, it is usually possible to get a new sealed unit and rebuild the existing sash around it if you are very careful.
Before you do anything further, look for manufacturer information and if possible, get a replacement sash. Some finesse is required with wooden windows but this will likely be your cheapest, easiest, and best looking option.
As far as feeling a draft, there are a lot of things that could be going on so that’s kind of hard to answer.
Been there. In the long run, you will end up replacing the entire window and frame. Plan on doing them all. Then, you will need to move on to other areas of “draft”. Like you said, it is a 25 year old house, and it will have them. Trying to repair the windows you have will be an effort in futility and a waste of money. When ever the housing market goes down, the home improvement market goes up. Now is the time to look at preserving the value of what you have. Like you said, do lots of research.
Currently taking all trim down in daughters room to use spray insulation Window -door type that will not untrue window and filling in gaps where I feel draft. Doesn’t answer your replacement question but might help with your heating bills a little. Light up some inscense and move up, down n around window you will find the drafts when you see the smoke move. Where theres smoke theres fire.
Thanks guys for the feedback. I’ve done some more research and found that the two panes of glass in the window are sealed at the factory with a gas between them for insulation, usually argon. Once the seals break you lose the gas and your insulation value.
Normally the windows would then have to be replaced, but apparently there is a new fix where a small hole is drilled into one of the panes and an “environmentally friendly” gas of some sort is pumped between the two panes and reseals the unit, thus restoring the insulation properties. The small drill hole is plugged with a rubber one way valve.
There is a guy in our area that advertises this solution, so I’m going to give him a call and find out more. Then I’ll weigh the choice between repair or replacement.
don’t forget to check the details on the new federal budget. There are tax credits for both energy conservation and renovations in the new noe that make make it worth you time to do a proper upgrade. Just check the math.
Windows are very high on the list of things to look at when buying a home. Updated windows can make an older home look newer and are a selling feature. Personally, I would spend the money to have as many as possible, particularly the leaky ones, replaced. It’s tough to make old windows look “clean” when trying to put a house on the market.
I’ve heard of this before, and frankly, i’m skeptical. I cannot imagine seeing an appreciable difference in window performance after this is done, nor could I imagine the window actually being sealed well enough to hold in the new gas.
