When is it worth replacing your windows?
Replacement is worth it when the window has failed or never performed well. Fog between the panes, drafts with the window shut, rooms that won’t hold temperature, windows that stick or won’t lock, rotted wood frames, and single-pane glass are the common reasons. Old aluminum frames are a frequent culprit on older DFW homes.
- Condensation between the panes. The seal has failed and the insulating gas is gone. It cannot be repaired by cleaning.
- Drafts you can feel with the window closed and locked.
- Rooms that won’t hold temperature, especially on the west side of the house in the afternoon.
- Windows that stick, won’t stay open or won’t lock. On an upstairs bedroom, that is a safety issue as well as an annoyance.
- Rot in wood frames, or pitting and corrosion in old aluminum.
- Single-pane glass. Replacing it is one of the most noticeable comfort upgrades on an older home.
If you are not ready to replace yet, our post on quick fixes for drafty windows covers what you can do in the meantime.
What glass and frame options suit the Texas sun?
North Texas has months of strong, sustained sun, and west-facing windows take the worst of it. The most important choice is Low-E glass, which reflects heat while letting light through. After that, double-pane units with gas fill, warm-edge spacers and an insulating frame material all help keep the heat outside.
- Low-E coatings. The single biggest factor for this climate.
- Double-pane glass with gas fill. Insulates better than air-filled units at a modest extra cost.
- Warm-edge spacers. Reduce heat transfer around the edge of the glass.
- Frame material. Old aluminum frames conduct heat straight through. Vinyl is the common value choice; fiberglass is stiffer and moves less with temperature, at a higher price.
A shaded north window and a west-facing living room window have different jobs, and the glass can be chosen to match.
We will walk you through window brands and frame types at the estimate, and your written quote names the exact product.
Why does installation matter so much?
A good window installed badly performs worse than a modest window installed well. Most window leaks come from the installation, not the product. The opening has to be measured individually, any rot in the framing repaired, the window set level and square, and the flashing and sill pan detailed so water that gets past the trim is sent back outside.
The perimeter gap between the window and the framing also needs to be insulated and sealed properly, not stuffed with scraps. A window that is set out of square won’t seal or operate correctly, no matter how good the glass is. These steps take time, and they are where a cheap quote usually saves money.
Windows are also tied into the wall’s weather barrier. If you are replacing siding at the same time, the window flashing and the barrier can be integrated in one pass.
Are hail-damaged windows part of a roof claim?
Hail cracks glass, dents frames and tears screens. When a storm damages your roof, the windows on the side facing the storm are often damaged too and may belong on the same claim. Screens and soft metal frames are some of the clearest evidence of how large the hail was, so we photograph them carefully.
We assess windows alongside the roof, siding and gutters after a storm and include all of it in the documentation for your claim. The claim itself is between you and your insurer. See our storm damage page for the process after hail and our insurance claims guide for how Texas claims work.
How do you get a window estimate?
Call (817) 754-9484 or request a free estimate online. Tell us how many windows you are thinking about and what is wrong with them. We look at each opening, measure, check the frames and surrounding wall, and give you a written estimate with the window and glass options named.
Roof Experts, LLC has been based in Arlington since 2017. If you are also planning roof or siding work, we can look at all of it on the same visit; our residential roofing page lists everything we handle.