Should You Repair or Replace a Broken Window?

When a glass windowpane breaks in your home, you are left with an important decision. The following can help you decide whether to repair or replace the window.

The Pane Count

It's usually better to replace the entire window if you have a crack in a multi-pane insulated window. These windows provide insulation by sandwiching an insulating gas between two or more panes of glass. Once one pane cracks, the gas escapes and then the insulation is lost. Even if you replace the broken pane, there is no way to recharge the gas. Further, condensation may collect between the panes and create permanently fogged windows. On the other hand, if your windows are single pane, then glass replacement is much more cost-effective compared to full replacement.

The Location of the Damage

The location of the damage can also affect whether you choose to repair or replace it. Windows in little used and seldom seen locations, such as a lower basement window or a utility room window, may not need to match the rest of the home perfectly. Further, you may not be concerned with the loss of insulation for certain window locations. For this reason, you may opt to replace the entire window even if you can't perfectly match the frame to your existing windows. Conversely, for highly visible windows it may make more sense to either repair the glass or to invest in replacement windows for the entire home — after all, if you can't perfectly match the new window to the rest, then it is more likely to stand out.

The Condition of the Frame

Consider the condition of the window frame. If the frame is still in great condition, particularly if it is aluminum or vinyl, then replacing the glass makes the most sense when you are dealing with a single pane window or unconcerned with the loss of insulation value. For worn-out frames that show signs of rust or rot, or have simply reached the end of their useful life, then a full replacement of the damaged window — and perhaps the rest of the windows on the home — is in order.

Your Future Plans

What are your future plans? If you already have plans to replace the windows in your home in the near future, then a broken window is a sign that it may be time to go ahead and start getting quotes on replacement windows. If you are still working on budgeting for the replacements, then it may make more sense to consider glass replacement, even in an insulated window, as a temporary fix until you are ready to upgrade.

If you need more help in choosing the best course of action, hop over to this site or others like it.