The checklist
- Fog between the panes — the seal has failed and the insulating gas is gone
- Dust on the sills after spring wind — gaps in the frame or worn weatherstripping
- Single-pane glass — common in homes built before the 1980s
- Aluminum frames that sweat in winter — condensation can damage sills and walls
- Sashes that stick or won't lock — a comfort and security problem
- Soft or rotted wood — on sills, frames or the wall below
- Hot rooms on the west side — glass letting in afternoon heat
- Street or airport noise — old glass blocks little sound
- Cracked glass — sometimes a glass repair, sometimes time for a new unit
Repair or replace?
One fogged unit in a newer window can often be fixed by replacing just the glass. But if the frames are single-pane aluminum or several windows have problems, replacement usually makes more sense.
Bedroom safety
Bedroom windows are an emergency exit. If yours are painted shut or too small to climb through, that's another reason to replace them.
Not sure? Call (505) 616-3368 and we'll take a look.
Common questions
Can fogged windows be fixed?
Sometimes just the sealed glass unit can be replaced. It depends on the frame's age and condition.
How old is too old for windows?
Age matters less than condition, but single-pane aluminum windows from the 1960s–1980s are almost always worth replacing.