Is It Cheaper to Repair or Replace Windows?

Repairing a window is cheaper today, but not always cheaper over time. See which window problems are worth fixing, which mean replacement, and a simple rule to decide.

Northline Windows & Doors

Editorial Team

Repairing a window is cheaper up front. Replacing it is cheaper in the long run when the window is old, the frame is damaged or the same problems keep coming back. A simple rule: if the window is under 15 years old and the frame is sound, repair it. If it is over 20 years old or the frame is failing, replace it.

Window problems worth repairing

These are usually quick, low-cost fixes on a window that is otherwise in good shape:

Cracked or broken glass in a newer window. The sealed glass unit can be swapped without touching the frame.
Broken hardware. Cranks, locks, hinges and balances can be replaced.
Worn weatherstripping. New weatherstripping stops many drafts.
Cracked exterior caulking. Re-caulking takes an afternoon and prevents water damage.
Torn screens. Easy to re-mesh or replace.
A window that sticks because of dirt or paint build-up in the track.

Window problems that mean replacement

Rot in the frame or sill. Rot spreads, and patching it rarely lasts.
Warped or cracked vinyl frames. The window will never seal properly again.
Water getting into the wall around the window.
Fogged glass on several windows of the same age. When one seal fails from age, the others follow.
Single pane glass or old aluminum frames. They lose too much heat to be worth keeping.
Parts that are no longer made. Common with windows over 25 years old.
Repeat repairs. If you have fixed the same window twice, the third repair is money lost.

Repair or replace: quick decision table

Problem	Window under 15 years	Window over 20 years
Fog between panes, one window	Replace the glass unit	Replace the window
Fog between panes, several windows	Check warranty first	Replace
Draft at the edges	New weatherstripping and caulk	Replace
Broken crank or lock	Repair	Repair if parts exist
Rotting sill or frame	Replace	Replace
Cracked glass	Replace the glass unit	Replace the window
Condensation or frost inside	Check humidity, then seals	Replace

Check your warranty before you pay for anything

Many windows carry long warranties on the sealed glass unit. If a window under 20 years old has fogged between the panes, find the original paperwork or the manufacturer's label in the frame before you pay for a repair. The glass may be covered.

The 50% rule

If a repair costs more than half the price of a new window, replace it. You get a full new warranty, better glass and a proper seal for a little more money, instead of a patched old window with other parts close to failing.

What repairs do not fix

A repair returns a window to how it worked when it was new. It does not bring a 1990s window up to today's standard. If comfort and heating costs are the reason you are looking at your windows, new glass in an old frame will not deliver what a new ENERGY STAR window does.

There is also the wall to think about. A leaking window can rot the framing around it without any sign on the inside. That damage is only found and fixed when the window comes out. Northline replaces rotted or damaged studs found during installation at no extra charge.

Frequently asked questions

Can foggy windows be repaired?

The fog is inside the sealed unit, so it cannot be cleaned out for good. The fix is a new sealed glass unit in the existing frame, or a new window if the frame is old.

Is it worth repairing old windows?

It is worth it for heritage wood windows you want to preserve and for newer windows with one isolated problem. It is rarely worth it for 20-plus year old vinyl or aluminum windows.

How do I know if my window frame is rotten?

Press a screwdriver into the sill and lower corners. If it sinks in easily, or the paint is bubbling and the wood is dark, there is rot.

Get a straight answer on your windows

Not sure which side of the line your windows fall on? Northline Windows will tell you which ones can be repaired and which should be replaced. Request a quote for your Ottawa home.

Related reading: When to Replace 20 and 30 Year Old Windows · How Much Does Window Replacement Cost in Ottawa? · Is It Cheaper to Replace Your Own Windows?