“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” –the wise words of my grandfather… and probably all the grandfathers.
I grew up in an age of fixing (only when absolutely necessary, obviously), just as a lot of you reading this did. Though, in the last 30 years or so, our culture has made a distinct shift from fixing to replacing. I mean, seriously—I fix ink pens when they break. No one does that anymore. No one. But, it’s not hard to realign the spring, people!
Alas, this determination to preserve is passing, just as our love for movie rental stores passed…
I say all of this to say, there are so many times we could all save ourselves money and fix the things in our homes instead of replacing them. I’d be willing to bet most people here in San Jose, CA replace 50% of their belongings when a little TLC was all that was needed.
When it comes to big-ticket items in your home like your windows, wouldn’t you say it’s worth it to figure out what you really need—fixing or replacing? I sure would! Let’s go over three common circumstances and what to do: repair or replace?
- Drafty windows
You may not need to replace! Caulking and weather stripping can help to reduce the drafts you’re experiencing. Try removing the old and adding new caulk with a caulking gun—you can find these at any hardware store. Be sure the outside humidity is low, and the temps are above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The new caulk should be applied to clean, dry surfaces between the house and the window molding. For weather stripping, the temps need to be above 20 degrees Fahrenheit (not hard to match this time of year!) and, again, the surfaces need to be clean and dry. - Windows from the 1960s-1970s
Lead-based paint wasn’t banned until 1978. So, if your windows are from the 60s or 70s and cracked, chipping, or faded, a professional resurfacing or complete window replacement project is in your near future. An experienced contractor/installation specialist can help you with ways to remove hazardous paint—but it’s important you seek a professional in this case. Attempting any changes by yourself could be dangerous. - Single-pane windows
It’s almost hard to believe people still have these, but they do still exist from decades past. The problem with single panes is that they just don’t keep your home thermally sound. Here in California, we need a good barrier between the hot outdoors and our air conditioning—if you have single-pane glass, you’re paying more than you need to, to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And, you’re overworking your HVAC system. In this case, replacement windows are in order.
You see, not every circumstance has to mean replacement—but, sometimes, that is what’s best. Before you invest in new windows in San Jose, CA, come visit the specialist at The Screen Shop to see what your next step should be!
The Screen Shop | 601 Hamline St.| San Jose, CA 95110 | 408.295.7384 | contactus@thescreenshop.com