Four Reasons To Replace The Entire Window Sash, Not Just The Glass
If your windows are looking a bit worse for wear, you may be considering replacing them. There are a few different directions you can go when it comes to a replacement. You could just have the glass replaced... or you could replace the entire window sash along with the glass. In most cases, the latter option is the better one. Here's why.
It's cheaper.
It might seem like replacing just the glass would be cheaper than replacing the sash and the glass. However, inserting new glass into an existing window sash is a very intricate process, so it tends to be pretty costly. Whole window sashes (with the glass inserted) are pre-manufactured in factories, and you can purchase them at a reasonable price. Even after you pay to have them installed, you'll likely come out ahead in comparison to replacing just the glass.
New window sash materials don't require as much maintenance.
Chances are, your old window sashes are made from wood. They might be in acceptable condition right now, but in a few more years, they will probably develop some rot and wear. You'll also need to keep them scraped and painted to prevent premature deterioration. New window sash materials are much lower maintenance. Many are made from vinyl, which never requires painting or staining. You can also find sashes made from wood composite. They look like real wood sashes, but they are made with wood pulp and a plastic material so they don't rot or decay -- and they don't need to be painted or scraped.
New window sashes are more efficient.
The glass is not the only part of the window that contributes to efficiency. When you have new glass put into an existing sash, it may not fit that tightly -- so air might leak through the gap and reduce your efficiency. When you install completely new sashes with new glass, the sash fits tightly around the glass to prevent such leaks. Plus, new sash materials tend to be better insulators, which further improves your efficiency.
Warranties often apply.
You'll have a hard time finding a company that offers a warranty on glass inserted into an existing window sash. It's just too easy for the glass to become damaged in this process. But virtually all window installation companies offer warranties on new sashes with glass. If anything goes wrong, you can rest assured that you won't have to pay for a new window again.
For more information, contact companies like Fischer Window and Door Store.
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