Maybe your wood sashes are cracked, peeling, and rattling in the wind. Or the insulated glass in your vinyl casement has "blown," or has become fogged with dampness. Perhaps your aluminum slider stopped sliding years ago. You've got a window problem, and you know it'll cost you money.

When confronted with such ailments, many homeowners conclude that it is time to replace their windows. That's a pricey proposition: Installing a double-hung 3-foot-by-5-foot vinyl replacement window costs $300 to $500. One can also go for the window repair Barrington.

The truth is that none of the symptoms listed above necessitate the installation of new windows. Most problems can be solved by fixing windows with a little money and some sweat labor. Furthermore, you are likely to increase the energy efficiency of the windows you repair. By addressing some of these circumstances, you can save the expense of window replacement.

Wood windows can survive for 100 years or more if properly kept; if left unpainted, they deteriorate fast. Even after years of neglect, however, the damage is frequently superficial, making it appear worse than it is. It is not necessary to presume that the window must be rebuilt. Penetrating liquid epoxy can be used to repair rotten wood. Fill holes in sills and sashes using epoxy putty; it sands well and maybe painted.

Counterweights are used to aid in lifting the sashes of older double-hung wood windows. These can be rectified, but the major issue is that the weights and pulleys require a large hollow in the wall that is not insulated. This space adds to heat loss. The space may now be filled with expanded foam thanks to new replacement lifting mechanisms that attach to the sash.