Window repair-Why it works

January 5, 2016

Window Repair works for obvious reasons.  A new window salesman won’t tell you why.  For as many years as I’ve been in business, I’ve had folks ask, “How do I know this works?”  Well, somehow we’ve been making window parts for over fifteen years now, what do you think? The obvious isn’t so obvious if […]

Window Repair works for obvious reasons.  A new window salesman won’t tell you why.  For as many years as I’ve been in business, I’ve had folks ask, “How do I know this works?”  Well, somehow we’ve been making window parts for over fifteen years now, what do you think?

rockwell 2007

rockwell 2007 after

The obvious isn’t so obvious if you don’t have a “repair” mindset.  If you’re a consumer conditioned to the modern, disposable, instant gratification society, well then it makes perfect sense to tear out windows and start over.  From my perspective, it makes much more sense to repair, or what we like to call “replacement innovation” than to replace the old with “new” with the expectation that the “new” is better.  Maybe?  The thought of window parts and pieces can be confusing.  We’re going to fix that later.  For now, let’s walk through a brief list of thought provokers and you decide.

  1. It’s cheaper!  I refuse to argue with the $189.00 vinyl window guys.  That is a sales pitch to get in the door.  No salesman will sell you a $189 window.  Obviously, markets vary across the country, but a reputable, professional window company is going to run in the $700 per opening range for new vinyl windows.  A far cry from the billboard price.
  2. Window repair is specific.  You only address the windows that are problematic, not the whole house.  In my experience, most homes have 3-4 windows at any one time with damage.  Window for window, a replacement sash approaches the cost of the vinyl.  Now consider the cost of just replacing the three or four, not the whole house.
  3. Like, kind, and quality.  Did your neighbor with the brown house that put one bright white vinyl window in the side of it think about what their house was going to look like?  The idea of window repair or “replacement innovation” is to return the original window to original condition.  This also means keeping all of your windows matching.
  4. Less invasive.  Window replacement is a major remodeling project.  Disregard the “vinyl insert” type of product.  That is a whole other animal and soapbox issue for me.  I’m talking about a direct replacement of a full-frame window. Window repair doesn’t cause drywall damage, woodwork damage, require new window treatments or disrupt sealing or building envelope surfaces.
  5. Convenience.  Window repair is faster.  Our typical six-week lead time is a fraction of the time you will wait for a new batch of windows from the factory.  Installation time is also a fraction of new window replacement with less mess and interference to your life and schedule.
  6. DIY is possible.  Save even more by doing it yourself.  Repairing rotten wood frames is experienced carpenter work, not sashes and hardware.  If you can turn a screwdriver, then doing this work yourself is possible.

Our new goal for 2016 is to bring window repair to DIY’er status.  Through more instructional blog posts and a new video series, I will be walking you through the basic installation steps of many of our popular window repair products in an effort to bring our concept of “replacement innovation” to the forefront of the window industry to create a new options category for the window consumer.

For more information, visit our blog and website at https://fenstersusa.com

Ready to get started? Great! Check out our featured product line and gather all the details you need about ordering a replacement window for your home here. Then contact us today!

GET YOUR WINDOW SASH REPLACEMENT.

39 Comments

  1. Lyle Koehn

    How do you reglaze a caradco window that has a wood sash with aluminum cladding? The inside does not have a stop that can be removed. The glass appears to be wet glazed. The corners seem to have a nail through the tenon into the rail.

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Lyle, That should still be a boot glazed sash. The corners of the sash screw together around the rubber boot holding the glass in. Separate the frame from the boot/glass and you should be in good shape.

      Reply
  2. Kelly

    I have double hung Norco windows in my house. Built in 1989. I need (I think) is a replacement sash. I need the part that you open and close by lifting up from the inside of the house. The glass part with the wood all around it….I think it’s called the sash. Can I get that replaced with glass and all so I can just take this one out and pop another one in……or how do I get it replaced? I’ve had many window people over and they tell me they can’t just replace that part especially on a Norco window.

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Yes you can Kelly! That’s why we’re in business! You are correct. You need a new sash. We can make our version of a Norco sash as a direct replacement for the original. Assuming this is a painted wood window (no metal on the outside) from the late 80’s with a vinyl glazing bead trim around the glass on the outside, this would be our part number NCDH-100 upper or lower sash. What we need is the exact edge to edge (width and height) of the sash with measurements taken from the exterior side. There are some other simple questioned to be answered on the order form. You’ll want to go to our website, https://fenstersusa.com and click on the picture above REPLICA WOOD SASHES to place your order. Make sure to use that NCDH-100 part number on the form. Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Margaret

    My Pella Casement window will not close tight and therefore leaks when it rains. There appears to be a slight gap at the top and even though we push the window from the outside it will not lock shut. Is it warped because of the rain coming in? HELP

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      It certainly could be warped. The only solution is to replace the sash. It could be a lock issue. Pella over complicates everything they do making their windows extremely difficult to repair. If you have a proline or newer series, it probably has a concealed multi point lock. The top keeper may not be attached to the draw bar. Confused yet? Me too! You have to take the screen stop off to expose the lock system. Do you have a Pella rep in your area? These are a tough job even for the professional.

      Reply
  4. Linda

    I am looking replacement 4 sash panels for Malta casement window. These panels have delaminated due to water damage. They are vinyl clad with pine wood interior. Model 7A7. I know you said you only have white interior. Please let me know if you will make pine wood interior, or point me to someone who make this kind of saah panels. Thank you very much!

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Linda, Yes we can make these. Bare pine interior is no problem. I think what you’re seeing is, we only have white cladding for the outside. You can order these from our website, https://fenstersusa.com. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Linda

        Thank you for replying! Can I just supply the maker and model of the window? Do you need the exact measurement? I’m not confident that I will get the perfect measurement.

      • Ryan Schwartz

        Linda, I think we were talking about Malta vinyl clad casements, so we’re already that far. But yes, we will need exact edge to edge sash sizes.

  5. Linda

    Is it possible to take a look at a sample sash? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Not really, unless you are anywhere close to our head quarter’s show room in Indianapolis. I believe there is a photo of the model in question on our website sash catalog. Our part number for this sash is MT-200 under listings for Malta.

      Reply
  6. Linda

    Hi there,
    Finally, we have the measurement for these sash (by 3 people, one of the 3 is a professional window installer). I have a couple of more questions before I can order:
    1. Do you guaranteed the sash to be fit? If not, what can you do?
    2. How long does it take for you to make these panels?

    Thanks,

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Linda, We have a 100% success rate when you order the right product. Assuming you select the correct sash profile, it will fit the original opening. Same with the measurements. We can’t guarantee the fit when someone else measures it. In some cases, we can recommend original brand standard sizing increments, but your provided measurements are always the default. Lead times are seasonal and subject to current order volume. Currently we are 4-5 weeks.

      Reply
  7. Paul Bosler

    The glass in one of our large windows which is permanent and does not open, is cloudy and needs replacing. It is a Norco window installed in 1985. Can you supply the glass and labor to replace it at Lake Momroe, IN?

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Paul, We are only a manufacturer, but glass is not brand specific. Any glass company can replace the glass for you.

      Reply
  8. Taylor Bishop

    I just wanted to thank you for going over some benefits of repairing a window. It’s good to know that this can be specific to the problematic windows. That being said, I wonder if it could be beneficial to find all the different windows to fix and write down why. Maybe this could be good for the repair person to know, especially if they need to bring certain tools.

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Taylor, Thanks for the feedback! We’re actually working on a DIY’er video series that will include much of what you asked about.

      Reply
  9. Danny Hamby

    I need to have the wood on the bottom of my Caradco 916 casement windows replace

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Danny, That’s more of fix for a local carpenter on site at your home. Fenster offers complete replacement sashes.

      Reply
  10. Fred Hoefer

    I have 2 MW wood double hung windows where the sashes are rotten and need to be replaced. Installed in 2000 when the house was built. I tried to fill out the order form, but instead of asking for the height and width of each sash, it only wanted the width and the jambliner length. I don’t know what you are asking for. It appears that the jambliner is continuous from the top to the bottom of the entire window (both sashes). If I am correct in my interpretation, the total length or height is 74″, but each sash is 30 1/2″ wide X 38″ high. All wood is painted white. Also these don’t swing inward for cleaning, so I’m not sure how I would go about replacing these. Any assistance/clarification would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Fred, While I appreciate your attempt to fill out the order form, the beauty is in the simplicity. You can’t enter in individual sash sizes, because we don’t sell individual, brand specific sashes. It is the whole kit period. We only want the overall height and width. We size the sashes accordingly. HOWEVER, in answer to your last comment, if they don’t pull in for cleaning, then our product probably won’t work anyway. The Quiksash kit is a direct fit for windows with tilt-in, vinyl compression jambliners.

      Reply
      • Fred Howfer

        Okay, thanks for your prompt response. I was afraid that your product would not work for my application.

  11. Stu Meredith

    I have a number of casement windows in my house which was built in 2000. The wood is rotten and the sashes need replacing. My casement windows, while they are wood, the outsides are covered in aluminum siding. Can I get a complete replacement sash, glass, and all? Also, I do not know the manufacture of my windows, the hardware it Truth, but I can’t figure out who the manufacture is.

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Hi, Stu, If you go to our actual website, https://fenstersusa.com it walks you through our quoting/buying process. If you can’t determine the brand/model using our catalog, you can send us pictures for us to identify.

      Reply
      • Stuart Meredith

        What specific pictures of the window? I want to make sure you have enough detail to determine if you can make my sashes. Also, in the quote screen for grills between glass, I only need that for 4 of the 8 windows, but there’s no where to indicate that or leave a note.

      • Ryan Schwartz

        Stu, AN exterior corner shot and an edge view of an open sash are the best. If the 4 with grills are the same size, enter that size first. If you have others, we can clarify that when I respond to your request. The form is just the first part of the process.

  12. Eric Ellingsen

    I have Semco casement windows built in 1986. Are replacement painted sashes available?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Eric, Not at the moment, but since Semco has gone out of business this past year, we are considering adding them to our catalog. Maybe check back with us after the first of the year.

      Reply
      • Eric Ellingsen

        Hi Ryan,
        Any change in status of adding Semco windows?

      • Ryan Schwartz

        We’re considering a casement replica yes, double hungs, no.

      • Eric Ellingsen

        Do you know if or when you will decide on replica Semco casements? If so how can I get pricing?

      • Ryan Schwartz

        Eric, We can make them now. We’re working on website content to add the specs to our catalog which may be another couple of months. You need to complete a quote request form from our website to get pricing. https://fenstersusa.com

  13. Dennis Woods

    Ryan
    I have 1990 pozzi aluminum clad wood windows, dry rot at exterior sill, the aluminum trim in some locations blew away in wind storm, do you sell replacement trim parts?
    Thanks
    Dennis

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Sorry Dennis, We don’t have any brand specific frame parts. Components like that are way too specific to the brand and would have disappeared when the company did.

      Reply
  14. Adina Wyant

    I have Caradco casement windows that were likely installed when the house was built in 1976. The sill has rotted on 2 and the vents are starting to fall apart. On another 2, an operator hardware is broken and the glass seal has broken on one or more of the panes. Can you help me out, or do I need to do a full year-out and replacement of the windows? Also, do you have service in our local area?

    Reply
    • Ryan Schwartz

      Hi Adina, First of all, we don’t have anyone anywhere. We are online sales only and don’t have people in the field. Sounds like you have a lot going on there. The sill work is really a job for a local carpenter. Most field carpenters prefer to make their own parts on site. If the sash frames are good and you only need new glass, any local glass company could help you with that. We don’t sell just the glass because we cannot ship it safely.

      Reply
      • Adina Wyant

        What about the broken operator hardware? Can that be replaced?

      • Ryan Schwartz

        Adina, There are several online window hardware stores if you do a Google search. We’re more of a sash shop and not really on the hardware side of things.

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