Replace or Repair?

11 years ago

We are about to purchase a home outside Columbus, OH that was built in 1992. Beautiful home with many (approx 25) wood casement and picture windows that have wood rot and broken seals. Don't know manufacturer name, but one that was bought buy Jeld Wen and they don't make the window anymore. The inspection report called out the fact that many needed repair or replacement. I've received bids on replacement, and one of them I just received is somewhere around $50K not including labor for the top of line clad window (company that starts with a P)! A repair quote is about $18K from a firm that specializes in removing the sash and replacing with some proprietary, plastic like casing that includes a warranty of 5 or 7 years. They will also replace the glass in windows that have broken seals. This company seems to have an excellent reputation. I plan on being in this home for the next 25 years or longer. Is a window replacement inevitable? Or can I get by by doing a repair job? appreciate opinions on the matter.

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Comments (6)

historwinman
11 years ago
Wood rot and seal broken!! no sure that I would be repairing those. If you do not get all the rot it will continue to be an issue. These windows are out of warranty and any repair will not get you any warranty for future rot. It is a band aid what about replacing the worst and keeping the ones that are not so bad? obviously all units in a particular room will be either repaired or replaced as it will look Wrong if you do both especially if its a different manufacturer. What manufacturer did your 50K quote come from?
millworkman
11 years ago
Lipstick on a pig. Those windows were not worth much brand new let alone over years later. Replace them, stay the hell away from P____. What do want the windows to look like on the exterior, interior? Looking for wood, wood/clad, vinyl, fiberglass? Do a search on here I would look into the usually recommended higher end vinyl if it were me (Okna, Sunrise) or Infinity by Marvin (fiberglass).
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jackrh97
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you Millworman. Likely not going to go with Vinyl, but will look at Marvin. Interested in the wood interior, so will be looking at a wood clad or fiberglass window. What about Integrity?
millworkman
11 years ago
Good product, although from what I understand the Infinity has a little bit better performance numbers. Both are available as a new construction or a replacement unit and not too sure about the pricing as I do not current work in residential and when I did we did not sell the Infinity line.
eastbay10
11 years ago
I am not a fan of repair in most cases and in yours it sounds like putting a band aid on a large wound that will only temporarily solve your problem. Big difference between the cost of replacement windows and full tear outs as far as the overall cost of the project. Determine the extent of the rot. If the frames are affected, you need to start over. If it just the sash and failed IG units, you can use replacement windows and save substantially. Have someone you trust evaluate what is really needed. If you are going to be in the home for 25 years, you need a long term solution.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
11 years ago
There is a huge thread in here about the repair vs. replace discussion that is very well hashed out. I would start there for some leisure reading but be prepared to have your eyes hurt.

Repair Don't Replace