Window Repair — Foggy Glass, Drafts, Leaks & Hardware

Depends on the failure and the age. If you have one or two windows with a specific problem (cracked glass, failed IGU seal, broken balance, sash won't hold open) and the rest of the windows are sound, repair is almost always the right call — it's a fraction of the cost and same-day to one-week turnaround. If you have widespread seal failures, rotted frames, or drafts on half or more of your windows, replacement starts to make economic sense over multiple repairs. We'll inspect and give you the honest math.

Yes — and two ways. (1) IGU replacement: we measure the existing sash, order a new insulated glass unit (the sealed double-pane sandwich), and swap just the glass while keeping the existing frame and sash. Cheaper, no exterior or interior work needed, usually 1–2 weeks from order to install. (2) Defogging: a few specialty companies drill a tiny hole in the glass, inject defogging chemical, and reseal. This restores visual clarity but does NOT restore the insulating argon gas, so the energy efficiency stays degraded. We do IGU replacement because it's the only fix that actually restores the window's performance.

Glass-only replacement (just the IGU, not the whole window) is priced by glass size, glass type (clear, low-E, tempered, obscure), and whether it's standard rectangular or custom-shape. Typical residential IGUs are far cheaper than full window replacement. Triple-pane IGUs cost more than double-pane. We measure the existing sash and provide a written quote — no game pricing or 'today only' offers.

The window seal (the dual-pane spacer system holding the panes together with argon gas between them) fails for one of four reasons: (1) age — most IGUs last 15–25 years before the seal degrades naturally; (2) thermal cycling stress — NJ's freeze-thaw cycles accelerate seal breakdown; (3) installation defects — windows installed without proper drainage or with the weep holes blocked trap moisture against the seal; (4) UV degradation of the seal compound on south- and west-facing windows. There's no maintenance that prevents it — eventually the seal fails on its own.

Yes — this is one of the most common repairs we do. The cause is almost always one of three things: (1) broken or worn-out balance springs (on double-hung windows the spring-loaded balances on either side counterweight the sash); (2) failed pivot bars on tilt-in windows; (3) broken cords on older weight-and-cord windows. All three are repairable with replacement parts. On older windows where parts are discontinued we can sometimes source through specialty suppliers or fabricate workarounds.

Both possibilities, and we test for which. Water entry through windows comes from: (1) failed exterior caulking — usually visible, simple fix; (2) damaged or missing flashing behind the brick mold — requires removing trim to repair; (3) wind-driven rain through a failed weatherstrip or operable seal — replace the seal; (4) cracked sill or sash — replace the part; (5) clogged weep holes that should drain the window track but instead pool water inside the frame; (6) above the window — sometimes the 'window leak' is actually water entering at the soffit or fascia and traveling down. Diagnosis first, then targeted repair.

For standard clear glass on single-pane windows (basements, garages, some older homes) we can often replace same-day or next-day with shop stock. Double-pane IGUs are custom-ordered to size and typically run 1–2 weeks. For an active broken pane (storm damage, accident, break-in) we can come out same-day, document for insurance, and board up the opening while we wait for the replacement glass to arrive.

Yes. If your window damage is from a covered peril (storm, fallen tree branch, vandalism, accident) the repair is often a covered claim. We document the original damage with date-stamped photos, write an adjuster-ready scope of damage, and coordinate with your insurance carrier when you authorize us to. Storm-related window damage often pairs with siding or roof damage and can be filed together. See our insurance claims page for the full process.