Your windows protect your home from the elements of the outdoors, but are you confident that every crack and crevice is keeping the summer heat and winter winds out? As your windows age, normal wear and tear can gradually create dents and cracks around the windows.

Holes in the frame, edges, or crevices of your window allow air from the outdoors to enter your home. This causes your air conditioner to work longer and harder to control the temperature indoors. So, how can you be sure that your windows are as energy-efficient as you think they are, and how can you reseal them if they aren’t? Emergency window repair is easier than you might think.

How to Check and Seal Your Windows in 5 Steps

Materials

• Candle or incense
• Lighter or matches
• Caulk Softener
• Putty Knife
• Towel or soft rag
• Tube or tub of window glazing
• Caulking gun
• Tube of caulk

Step 1. Conduct a smoke test.

Wait for a windy or breezy day, then hold a lit candle or incense close to the window seams. If the flame bends or the smoke blows toward your home, then you have a draft. Repeat this test with all of your windows – making a note of which windows have a breeze.

Step 2. Inspect the caulking around your windows.

Exterior caulk tends to dry out in the summer heat and can create gaps and cracks that let in water and air. Check all the windows, even the ones that weren’t drafty, to see if the exterior or interior caulk has been damaged or is wearing down. Make a note of which windows need to be repaired and add it to your list of windows that are drafty (if there are any differences).

Step 3. Remove loose glazing and old caulk.

Now that you know which windows need repairing, apply caulk softener to old caulking and let it soak for two hours. Using a putty knife, remove any loose glazing and caulking from the frame, interior, and exterior of your window. This will give you a clean slate to work with, and eliminate the chance of new glazing or caulking flaking off with the older layers.

Step 4. Apply new glazing.

Using a towel or soft rag, clean the surface where you’ve removed loose glazing and old caulking. You’ll want a dust-free surface for the glaze to adhere. If you’re using a tub of window glaze, use your putty knife to scoop out the glaze and apply a smooth slope along each pane of glass. For best results, apply at a 20- or 45-degree angle. Otherwise, cut the tip of the window glaze tube at a 45-degree angle and use a caulking gun to apply the window glaze. Let it dry as directed in the instructions.

Step 5. Apply new caulking.

Cut the tip of the caulking tube at a 45-degree angle. Insert the tube into a caulking gun and gently apply pressure. Move the gun along the seams in a smooth motion. If you need to fill a larger gap, move more slowly to ensure the caulking fills the space adequately. Wet your finger and smooth out the caulk to give a clean, finished look. Let the caulk dry as directed in the instructions.

Signs Your Home Needs a Window Replacement

Sometimes your windows need more than an emergency window repair. Signs that your window(s) needs to be replaced include:

• Your windows are 20 years or older
• Your window panes or frames are cracked or damaged
• Your window insulation is minimal or nonexistent
• Your window is still drafty after replacing the glaze and caulk

For more signs that it may be time to replace your entire window, read this related blog.

Improve Your Windows With Help from Allied Siding & Windows

If you’re a Texas resident and you’re experiencing window woes, don’t hesitate to contact Allied Siding & Windows. We are a proud James Hardie® Elite Preferred Contractor, so you can rest assured that you’re working with one of the best window installers in the industry.

Contact us for more information about our services or stop by one of our showrooms in Austin, Dallas, or Houston!

Your windows provide a barrier between you and the elements of the outdoors – pollen, dust, dirt, heat, and more. They’re essential to your home, but they don’t last forever. Double-pane windows should typically be replaced every 15-20 years, but when you’re looking to improve efficiency, fully replacing your windows isn’t your only option. The other option is to replace the glass within the window frame, but which option is best for your home? What are the pros and cons of each solution?

Benefits of Repairing Window Glass

Whether a lawnmower has propelled a stray rock through your window, or broken seals are causing condensation between window panes, replacing the glass of your windows is often a more viable option than replacing your entire windows. Convenience isn’t the only benefit to replacing the glass in your window – you can also:

• Reduce replacement costs – often by 20-25%
• Replace the glass on your own
• Minimize the time it takes to replace windows

While it can be tempting to save money by replacing the glass of your windows — especially DIY — there are things you should consider before proceeding. If your window frame is damaged, old, or worn out, then replacing the glass won’t do much good for lowering your utility bill. Efficient windowpanes won’t make up for an inefficient frame. If you’re only replacing the glass, water protection and other insulation can’t be added – which can lead to mold, water damage, or inefficient windows.

Benefits of Replacing Window Glass

Depending on the severity of your windowpane damage, it may make more sense to replace your entire window. When you replace your entire window, you can:

• Take a more detailed approach to window replacement
• Increase or decrease the size of your window
• Add or change insulation
• Add water protection
• Energy efficiency is heightened

While there are many pros to replacing an entire window, there are still cons to consider. The cost of replacing an entire window is higher and takes longer than simply replacing the glass. If you’re only replacing one window, you may have trouble finding the same frame as your other windows – which results in lower curb appeal. It’s possible to replace entire windows on your own, but you should really hire an expert to ensure optimal energy efficiency and quality.

Which Option Is Best For You?

It can be difficult to determine which option is better for your home. Before making your decision, stop and think about why you need to repair or replace your window. Do you have a slight window draft or does your frame have a broken windowpane? Use the lists below to determine which side your needs align with the most.

Repair Window Glass

• The frame is still intact and in good condition.
• You have a smaller/tight budget.
• You want to increase energy efficiency.
• Your frame is square and level.
• A single pane is damaged.
• You windows are properly insulated.

Replace Window Glass

• The frame or interior/exterior of your window is damaged/worn out.
• You have a moderate/large budget.
• You want to increase energy efficiency.
• Your frame is unique, you want to make your existing windows more unique, or you want to change the size of your windows.
• A single pane or multiple panes are damaged or outdated.
• Your windows need more insulation or water protection.

If you’re still not sure which option is best for you and your home, contact a windows expert to fully weigh your choices.

Improve Your Windows With Help from Allied Siding & Windows

If you’re a Texas resident and you’re experiencing window woes, don’t hesitate to contact Allied Siding & Windows. We are a proud James Hardie® Elite Preferred Contractor, so you can rest assured that you’re working with one of the best window installers in the industry.

Contact us for more information about our services or stop by one of our showrooms in Austin, Dallas, or Houston!

When most people think about windows, the first thing that comes to mind is an image of glass panes allowing sunlight into your home. In addition to giving you this sense of warmth, they also provide you and your family with views of the scenery outside. That said, there are many ways to incorporate windows into your home’s interior decor, and doing so provides several benefits.

Benefits of interior window walls

1. The Illusion of More Space

Back in the 1980s, homeowners thought it was a good idea to install mirrors along entire walls to make interior spaces look bigger. At that time, this style of decor was all the rage. However, in today’s day and age, it would make your home look outdated. Interior window walls take care of that issue while still allowing your home to have a timeless look.

2. Classic Decoration

Remember those mirrored walls we mentioned above? While there are trends that only last for a few years, certain architectural elements withstand the test of time. This is why Victorian and colonial homes have enjoyed such great curb appeal throughout the ages. This is also the case with French windows. Whether on exterior or interior windows, it’s a look that is attractive throughout the decades, and even centuries.

3. More Natural Light

Windows on exterior walls allow sunlight to light up the room, while interior rooms often remain darker. Now, in addition to simply looking better and providing you with more vitamin D, there are even more benefits to having more natural light indoors. These include reducing energy costs, improving your mood, and making your home more attractive to potential buyers.

4. Increased Home Value

While there are plenty of homebuyers who purchase homes and later do renovations, if you want to get top dollar when selling, it’ll help if your home looks attractive and the buyers get to keep touch-ups to a minimum. Interior window walls provide beautiful decorations, which are also practical and keep your home looking elegant.

Learn more about keeping your windows in great shape with the help of Allied Siding & Windows

If you’re a Texas resident and you’ve been thinking about providing maintenance to your windows, don’t hesitate to call Allied Siding & Windows!  Contact us for more information about our services or stop by one of our showrooms in Austin, Dallas, or Houston.