Windows are an essential part of your home, and it is never fun finding out one of them is broken. If you find a broken window while doing an overall inspection of your home, you might be asking yourself if you are better off replacing just that one window’s glass or upgrading your entire home with more energy-efficient windows.

Whether you choose to go with window glass repair or full window glass replacement, you’ll be equipped to handle both options by the end of this blog article.

Broken Window Repair

Many homeowners are scared to make the jump straight to replacing their windows, and with the right repair and maintenance, some windows will last for years. There are a few reasons to repair the windows you have instead of replacing them. 

If you have a historic house and the windows are the main stylistic factor attributing to your exterior facade, repairing allows you to maintain the original style. Replacing unique or historic windows also can sometimes lower the value of your home. 

If you are on a budget and don’t think you can afford a full home replacement, rebuilding just the damaged window(s) will costs much less. It also won’t take as much time if you currently have an overwhelming schedule.

If the damage is superficial to just the glass, window sash or frame, you can likely get away with just repairing your windows. If you are experiencing extreme wood rot or extensively damaged glass, replacement may be unavoidable. 

While repairing your broken windows might be more cost-efficient, it’s important to factor in the overall quality and effectiveness of simply repairing rather than replacing your window. A replacement window will address whatever problems you were experiencing, as well as increasing energy efficiency.

A big element in homebuilding that is often overlooked is thermal bridging. If you find yourself with gaps in your home’s building layers, trouble with insulation and major drafts, your windows may be allowing large amounts of energy to escape the structure, — resulting in increased heating and cooling costs.

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Energy-Efficient Windows 

There are many pros to updating and replacing your broken windows versus repairing them. Energy-efficient windows have multiple advantages:

• Lower heating and cooling bills
• Better insulation of your home
• Higher-quality windows
• More environmentally-friendly and sustainable home

“Energy efficient windows are an important consideration for both new and existing homes. Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use,” according to Energy.gov.

Energy-efficient windows can reduce the usage of energy by 24% in the colder seasons, and by 18% in the hot summer season when compared with the old traditional single-pane windows.

Plus, energy-efficient windows are also more comfortable for homeowners because they stop drafts and make it nicer to sit directly in front of them without feeling a chill.

One of the main reasons that people get replacement windows is because newer windows mean more innovative, quality materials. Over the last 20 years, frame and sashes material have made window sets far stronger and more durable. 

But, there are some factors to take into account when considering energy-efficient windows:

• They are more expensive than standard windows.
• Significant savings due to lower energy bills don’t happen overnight — they accumulate over time.
• You might be eligible for a tax rebate or credit in your state by installing energy-efficient windows. 
• Necessary attention to detail is higher when cutting and installing the windows.
• If you replace one window with energy-efficient windows, you won’t reap the benefits. You need to replace ALL of them. 

Having just one energy-efficient window in your home will not bring much difference in sustainability, reduced energy costs or comfort. If you have one broken window and want to replace it with an energy-efficient window, it’s a great start, but you will need to replace all of them to bring you any type of benefit with the added costs. 

So… Should You Upgrade?

After analyzing your budget, the extent of your damage, and the pros and cons of repairing or replacing, we trust you will be able to make the decision that is best for you and your home. The best part? No matter which option you choose, KC Window & Glass is here to help.

How KC Window & Glass Can Help

No matter how you decide to invest in your windows, King County Window & Glass can offer a solution, along with the right services to help you finish the job correctly and efficiently. We repair and replace glass windows of all kinds, from double to triple pane glass and all frame materials. We work on all types of windows, including wood, aluminum and vinyl frames.

King County Window & Glass offers a one-year warranty on your installation (on top of any manufacturer’s warranty) to guarantee your peace of mind. 

We know that your time is valuable, so we won’t waste it. That’s why we offer a 2 business day turnaround on all quotes (and we make sure to put a timeline in there, as well as the price). We carry the best, most reliable brands and offer competitive prices on installation, so you can get your material and installation in one spot, instead of having to deal with multiple companies.

So, don’t fret. Whether you are considering repairing or replacing, KC Window & Glass has you covered. Check us out today.