Home Improvement Replacement Windows

Window Replacement vs. Glass Replacement: Which Should You Do?

4 min read

Whack! A baseball crashes through your kitchen window. What now? The glass is totally shattered. Window damage happens to all homeowners at one point or another. Whether it’s broken glass, bad seals, damaged wood framing, or insulation failure, there’s a variety of things that can happen. Is it best to do a glass-only replacement, or should you do a whole window replacement? Depending on your situation, the answer varies.  

Before making any final decisions about what to do, learn about all of the options available to you and consider your end goal. Do you want to simply repair a damaged window that’s otherwise in good shape? Are you looking to increase your home’s value, energy efficiency, and curb appeal? Deciding when to replace windows can be tricky. Let’s answer some questions to determine whether you should replace one pane or the whole window. 

Can You Only Replace The Glass In A Window?

In short, yes, but there’s more to it than that. 

Glass-only replacement is almost always the more affordable option. Take that with a grain of salt, though. If you have newer, double-paned windows, the process of replacing the glass is complex and more expensive than single-paned windows. Since many double-pane pieces of glass have gas and spacers between them, you will have to special order each pane. If your windows are dated, leaky, single-paned, or poorly installed, it’s worth your time to consider whole-window replacement.

When Should You Only Replace the Glass?

Let’s return to the example of the kitchen window shattered by a baseball. In this instance, you should think about the overall health of the window before the glass broke. Did the window show any signs of leaking, deterioration, or poor installation? If not, you can replace the glass on the window. While you could replace the glass yourself or seek out a qualified professional to do so, if it’s a Window World replacement window, our team can easily replace the glass for you! We’ll walk you through the process of replacing the glass yourself below.

How Do You Replace Only The Glass In A Window?

The process of repairing broken glass on a window is pretty simple. Depending on what kind of window frame you have, the difficulty varies. Vinyl window frames are much easier to work with than wood ones because of their flexibility. 

Preparation

Replacement

Keep in mind, big or small, replacing windows or window glass can be tricky, so it’s best left to the professionals. Luckily, we offer professional installation for windows. 

When Should You Replace the Whole Window?

Often, whole-window replacement is the best option. If your window is old, single-paned, or has a damaged frame, you should consider a replacement. Moisture and air leakage inside are two sure signs it’s time to replace your window. 

While window replacement has a higher upfront cost than glass replacement, you’ll reap more benefits than if you had simply replaced the glass. Glass replacement is often a quick fix. Window replacement, on the other hand, improves energy efficiency, curb appeal, and durability. You’ll notice a difference in your power bill and increase your home’s value with replacement windows. 

Window World windows lower your energy bills by utilizing argon gas insulation between panes and low-E glass to filter out UV rays. Energy-efficient windows utilize features like this to keep the temperature in your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. No more window condensation and leaky windows—just comfortable temperatures all around. On top of that, we have a lifetime warranty on all of our windows. With Window World, you can rest assured that we’ll be there to help if something goes wrong. 

Schedule A Free Estimate Today

At Window World, we’re experts dedicated to providing you with high-quality replacement windows. Every piece of our windows is manufactured to last, but should your glass need replacement, we’re here to help. Give us a call today to set up a free estimate.

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