If you have old windows, you’ve probably wondered what to do about them. The lack of energy efficiency in your home caused by old windows is sure to be noticeable, from hot summer days to chilly winter nights. Old windows are a prime source of heating and cooling inefficiency, effectively functioning as a portal for unwanted temperatures to seep into your home and disrupt your air conditioning or heating efforts (as well as your utility bills!).

There are two obvious options for dealing with old windows to improve them. You can paint them, which can offer a short-term, low-budget improvement to their efficiency, especially if you paint them shut (which also can increase your home security), or you can replace them. While this option is higher cost on the front end, it also offers long-term benefits that can make a huge difference on your quality of life and utility bills in the long run. Consider the benefits of each option, as well as your current capacity to make improvements and your anticipated future needs from your living space, when deciding whether to paint or replace old windows. 

Benefits of painting old windows: 

When dealing with old windows, the most obvious option for a budget-conscious homeowner or property manager is to simply paint them and make any simple repairs that are needed. This can offer the benefits of timeliness, as performing quick fixes on a home’s windows is a faster, more immediate, time sensitive alternative to having those windows completely replaced. Paint and a little elbow grease are quite obviously less expensive than all new windows. 

In order to repair a small portion of a broken old window, you may be able to make do on the short term with putty and a pre-cut pane of glass. Sometimes, a quick fix is important to solve an immediate problem of the elements or insects getting into a home environment. These benefits are important to consider when deciding which route to take. 

Benefits of replacing old windows: 

Replacing old windows can increase the energy efficiency of your home by several times. While replacing old windows will likely cost more time and money than simply painting or repairing those same windows, your investment of time, money, and effort on the front end will be sure to save money on your energy bills in the long run. When you replace old windows, which are often single pane style windows that are quick to transfer energy and easy to break, you have the option of choosing a more eco-friendly and energy-efficient style of window, such as double pane or storm windows, ideally including screens so that you can let nature do some of the air conditioning for you during more pleasant months of the year (while keeping out unwanted pests!).

Hiegel Glass is here to help you with any project that you take on in your home related to your glass and window needs. Call us today for a free estimate!