If we've worked on your home before, thank you for having us. You already know how it goes: photos, a price, then a visit. This list is for the rest of the house.
Fall is a good time to look, because you're about to close the windows for months. A cracked pane, a sash that slides down, or a lock that never quite catches is easy to ignore in September. It's harder to ignore when the heat is on, it's dark by 5, and family is coming for the holidays. One walk-through now and those small things come off your list for good.
What should I check in my house before winter?
Start with every window and glass door, one room at a time. Look for glass that's cracked or foggy, and for windows that stick, won't stay up, or won't lock. All you need is your phone camera. You don't need to know the name of any part.
Here's the windows edition of the checklist. Take a photo of anything that doesn't pass.
- Look at the glass. Check each pane for cracks, chips, or broken corners. Don't skip basement windows, bathroom windows, and the glass in patio and entry doors.
- Look between the panes. On double-pane windows, look for haze, fog, or water spots that won't wipe off from either side.
- Open and close each window. Note any that stick, need two hands, or won't close all the way.
- Do the halfway test. Lift each bottom sash halfway and let go. If it slides down or drops, it isn't holding.
- Lock every window. Close and latch each one. Look for locks that don't line up, spin loose, or won't hold.
- Turn the cranks. On casement and awning windows, crank each one fully open and fully closed. Listen for grinding and watch for a handle that just spins.
- Check the tilt latches. If you have tilt-in windows, make sure the latches at the top of the sash click into place.
- Look at the screens. Before you store them or leave them up, check for tears, holes, and bent frames. We rescreen on site, and window screens usually take about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Check the kids' rooms twice. A window that won't stay up or won't lock matters most where children sleep and play.
Which window problems are worth fixing before winter?
Broken or cracked glass is first, because it's a safety and security problem and cold weather won't make it better. Next come windows that won't lock, close, or stay up, especially in bedrooms. Fog between the panes and torn screens are less urgent, but fall is a good time to clear them off the list.
Here's how the checklist lines up with what we do:
- Crack or chip in the pane
- What's usually going on: Damaged glass; the frame is often fine
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Usually yes: new glass
- Shattered or missing glass
- What's usually going on: Impact damage
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Usually yes: new glass (board-up available on request while you wait)
- Fog or haze between the panes
- What's usually going on: The seal on the double-pane unit has failed
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Usually yes: a new double-pane glass unit
- Window slides down or won't stay up
- What's usually going on: Worn balance
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Often yes: a hardware repair
- Lock won't line up or won't hold
- What's usually going on: Worn lock or keeper
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Often yes: a hardware repair
- Crank spins or grinds
- What's usually going on: Worn crank or operator
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Often yes: a hardware repair
- Tilt latch won't catch
- What's usually going on: Broken tilt latch
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Often yes: a hardware repair
- Torn or loose screen
- What's usually going on: Damaged mesh or frame
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Usually yes: rescreen or a new screen
- Soft or rotted frame
- What's usually going on: The frame itself has failed
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Probably not: this may need a new window
- Cracked, split, or warped frame
- What's usually going on: Frame damage, minor or serious
- Can it be fixed without a new window?: Sometimes: minor damage often still holds new glass, so send photos
That last row matters. Some windows do need to be replaced, and if yours is one of them, we'll tell you. We don't sell or install full windows, so there's no reason for us to talk you into anything.
A quick word on what this checklist doesn't cover. We repair glass, hardware, and screens. We don't do weatherstripping or caulking, and we don't promise that a glass or hardware repair will fix drafts. That's a different kind of job.
How do I check for fog between double-pane glass?
Wipe the glass on both sides with a clean cloth. If the haze or water spots are still there, the moisture is trapped between the two panes, which means the seal has failed. No cleaner will reach it. Replacing the sealed glass unit clears it, and the frame stays where it is.
You'll often notice this in fall and winter, when the temperature swings make the fog come and go. A window that looks clear at noon and cloudy in the morning still has a failed seal. Take your photo when the fog is at its worst. For more on what causes it, see our guide to foggy window repair.
What does it mean if a window won't stay up?
It usually means the balance is worn. The balance is the part inside the frame that holds a sliding sash at whatever height you leave it. When it wears out, the window drops or slams shut. In most cases the balance can be replaced and the window stays in place.
People prop these windows up with books, sticks, and paint cans for years. You don't have to. Our guide to a window that won't stay up explains the usual fixes. And if we can't repair a hardware problem, we don't charge for that repair or the attempt.
Should I fix a small crack before winter?
Yes, it's a good idea. A crack doesn't heal, and a pane that's already damaged is easier to break the rest of the way. Fixing it in fall means you're not dealing with broken glass in January. Most cracked panes can be replaced without touching the frame.
If you're not sure how serious it is, our article on cracked window glass repair walks through what to watch for. Keep kids and pets away from any pane that's cracked through or has loose pieces.
How do I get my window repairs done before the holidays?
Send photos now, because some glass has to be ordered. Regular-size clear glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. Tempered, textured, colored, and Low-E or argon glass takes about 2 to 3 weeks after we measure. Starting early leaves room for that.
- Do the walk-through. Use the checklist above and take two photos of each problem: one of the full window from inside and one close-up of the issue.
- Send them all at once. One message with every window is easier than five separate ones. You don't need to know the part names or the type of glass.
- Get your price. Photo review is free. If the photos show what we need, we can usually send a price within minutes during business hours. Every job is priced on its own, so you get a fair price for the right repair.
- Pick a time. Same-day or same-week appointments when available.
- We come to you. Our mobile glass truck pulls up to your home, and the work happens on site. Removal of the old glass, disposal, and clean-up are included.
One trade-off: wood windows with a special paint finish may need a little touch-up after new glass goes in.
Is the double-pane glass you installed still under warranty?
If we installed double-pane glass for you, it's covered by our Lifetime Seal Warranty. If that seal fails and fog or moisture shows up between the panes, covered labor and materials cost you nothing. The warranty stays no matter who owns the property, as long as the glass is still in the same window, the sash is still in the same frame, and nothing has been altered. It doesn't cover impact or misuse damage. Details are at https://2hourglass.com/warranty.
So if your walk-through turns up fog in a window we already worked on, send us a photo and mention it.
What customers say
"The texting coordination was very convenient and the techs that came out were quick and clean."
Joe T., Google review
We have 2,000+ reviews across Google, Yelp, Facebook, Angi, Thumbtack, and Housecall Pro, including a 5.0 average from 1,358 Google reviews. You can read more at https://2hourglass.com/reviews.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix the problems on my checklist?
Every job is priced individually, based on the glass or part and the size of the window. We don't publish price ranges, because a range would mislead: the price depends on your exact glass and window. Send photos of everything you found and we can usually send a price within minutes during business hours.
How long do window repairs take?
Regular-size clear glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. Tempered, textured, colored, and Low-E or argon glass is measured first and installed when it arrives, usually 2 to 3 weeks later.
Can I fix several windows in one visit?
Often, yes. Send photos of every window that needs work and we'll price them together and plan the visit around what's needed.
Should I repair or replace a window that fails the checklist?
If the frame is solid, the glass, hardware, or screen can usually be repaired and the window stays. If the frame is rotted, or cracked or warped too badly to hold new glass, replacement may be the right call, and we'll tell you so.
Will fixing my windows stop drafts?
We don't promise that. We repair glass, hardware, and screens, and we don't offer weatherstripping or draft sealing.
What photos should I send?
For each problem, send one photo of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the crack, fog, lock, or screen.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 New Jersey counties: Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Gloucester, Salem, Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Morris, and Essex. Not sure about your address? Check your ZIP below, or send a few photos and we'll confirm we can get to you.
Where we work
2HourGlass is a local PA and NJ team focused on window glass and hardware repair, with repair before replacement. We serve Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties in Pennsylvania, plus 13 counties in New Jersey. When you call or text, you reach a real person, not a call center.
