Window Repair in Shoreline

When repair is the right call

Many windows in your home have plenty of life left once one worn part is replaced. A failed balance, a cracked pane, a stripped crank or a broken lock is a parts problem, not a whole-window problem. We fix those and keep the frame you already paid for.

Some repairs come with code rules people don't see coming. Glass next to a door, beside a tub or close to the floor must be tempered safety glass, even if the broken pane wasn't. A bedroom window also has to open wide enough to serve as an escape route in a fire once we're finished. We follow those rules on every repair and explain them up front, so nothing catches you off guard later.

If the frame is rotted through or the window can't be saved, we'll tell you so and walk you through window replacement instead, including whether a permit is required.

What our window repair covers

Glass and sealed unit replacement

We swap out cracked single panes and fogged double-pane units. Every new unit is sized to your sash and built tempered or laminated wherever code requires safety glass.

Balances and sash cords

When a single- or double-hung sash slams shut or refuses to stay up, the culprit is usually a tired spring balance or a snapped cord. We install a matching replacement so the sash moves smoothly and holds at whatever height you leave it.

Operators and latches

Windows that swing outward on a crank depend on that gearbox and arm to open and close. We replace stripped gears, bent arms and latches that have stopped pulling the sash tight to its seal.

Weatherstripping and exterior seals

Drafts and whistling usually trace back to flattened weatherstrip or cracked caulk on the outside. We renew both to keep air and water out at the edges.

Shallow frame and sill rot

Wood sills and lower sash rails take on water through a long, wet winter. Where rot is shallow, we remove it and rebuild the area. Where it goes deep, we show you photos and talk through your options.

Signs a window needs repair

• Fog between the panes

  A cloudy film or beads of moisture trapped between the two layers of glass tell you the seal has broken. The window still works, but it holds heat poorly and the haze can't be wiped away.

• A sash that drops or sticks

  A window that falls shut on its own, or one you have to fight to raise, usually has a worn-out balance or a damaged track. In a bedroom, that matters for safety, since the window may be your way out in a fire.

• Drafts you can feel

  Hold your hand near the edges on a cold, windy day. Moving air points to worn weatherstrip or a lock that no longer seals.

• Cracks or chips in the glass

  Small cracks spread as temperatures swing. Replacing the pane early keeps water out of the sash.

• Soft wood at the sill

  Peeling paint and wood that dents under a fingernail mean rot has started. Caught early, it usually stays a repair.

How a repair visit goes

1. 1

   A free look and an honest answer

   On a no-pressure visit, we check the window, pinpoint the failed part and tell you whether repair or replacement makes more sense. You get a written estimate with every item listed.

2. 2

   Code check before we order

   We note whether the glass must be tempered and whether a bedroom window meets egress size rules, so parts are ordered correctly the first time. Most repairs need no permit. If yours does, we pull it.

3. 3

   Repair day

   We put down drop cloths inside, protect plantings outside and take apart only what we're fixing. Glass is made to size, so it goes in on a return visit once it arrives.

4. 4

   Test, clean up and stand behind it

   Together we run each repaired window through a full open, close and lock check, and then we cart off the old glass and worn parts. Our work is backed by a 10-year workmanship warranty.

What affects the cost of window repair

The price comes down to which part gave out and how easy the window is to get to. We quote after seeing the window in person, and your written estimate lists each part and each labor charge separately. Flexible payment options are available if they help.

Type of glass

Plain annealed glass is the least expensive. Tempered safety glass costs more, and low-E or laminated units more again. Sometimes code, not preference, decides which one goes in.

Window style and parts

Common balances and operators are usually in stock with suppliers. A window from a maker that has closed or changed its designs can mean tracking down a compatible part from another brand, and that search adds time to the job.

Access

A window at ground level goes faster than a second-story one that needs ladders or staging to reach safely.

Hidden damage

Rot under a sill or behind trim often only shows once things come apart. If we find it, we pause, show you photos and agree on any change with you before going further.