Maybe it's one foggy pane in the living room. Maybe it's the bedroom window you prop up with a book, or a crack in the kitchen window that's been there since last winter. Problems like these tend to sit at the bottom of the list, partly because they feel like they'll turn into a big, expensive project.
Often they don't. Most window problems live in one part of the window, and that one part can be fixed. But not always, and we'll cover both sides. Below you'll find what can be repaired, what can't, and how to tell which one you're looking at.
Is it worth repairing windows or should I replace them?
Repairing is usually worth it when the frame is sound and the trouble is the glass, the seal, or the moving parts. Replacing is worth it when the frame itself has failed, or when you want a different window altogether. Start with what the window is doing, then look at the frame around it.
A window is really three things working together:
- The glass: a single pane, or a sealed double-pane unit (two sheets of glass with a sealed space between them).
- The hardware: the balances, locks, latches, cranks, hinges, and rollers that let the window open, close, stay up, and lock.
- The frame and sash: the wood, vinyl, or aluminum structure that holds everything.
When the glass or hardware fails, the frame is often fine. That's the case for repair. When the frame fails, no amount of new glass or new parts will make the window right again. That's the case for replacement.
What's the difference between window repair and window replacement?
Window repair fixes the part that failed, such as the glass or a balance, and leaves the rest of the window in place. Window replacement takes out the whole unit, frame and all, and installs a new one. Repair is usually a single visit. Replacement is a bigger project with more steps.
- What changes
- Repairing the window: Only the failed part (glass, seal unit, or hardware)
- Replacing the window: Frame, sash, glass, hardware, and often trim
- Your trim, paint, and siding
- Repairing the window: Stay as they are
- Replacing the window: Can be disturbed around the opening
- Typical timing (regular clear glass)
- Repairing the window: Usually one visit, most of the time within 2 hours
- Replacing the window: A larger install project
- Special glass (tempered, Low-E, textured, colored)
- Repairing the window: Measured first, installed when it arrives in 2 to 3 weeks
- Replacing the window: Depends on the window company
- Matching the rest of the house
- Repairing the window: The window still looks like its neighbors
- Replacing the window: A new unit may look different from the others
- Best for
- Repairing the window: Cracked, broken, or foggy glass, worn hardware, in a sound frame
- Replacing the window: Rotted frames, frames too damaged to hold new glass, or a change in style or size
Which window problems can be repaired?
Most glass and hardware problems can be repaired. Cracked or broken panes, fog trapped between double-pane glass, windows that won't stay up, won't lock, or won't open, and torn screens are all common repairs. The frame stays in the wall, and you keep the window you have.
Use this list as a first check:
- A crack or break in the glass
- Likely cause: Impact or stress damage to the pane
- Repairable?: Usually yes: new glass
- Fog or haze between the panes that won't wipe off
- Likely cause: The seal on the double-pane unit failed
- Repairable?: Usually yes: a new double-pane unit
- Window slides down or won't stay up
- Likely cause: Worn or broken balances
- Repairable?: Usually yes: new balances
- Window won't lock
- Likely cause: Worn lock or keeper
- Repairable?: Usually yes: new hardware
- Casement window won't crank open
- Likely cause: Worn crank or operator
- Repairable?: Usually yes: new operator
- Torn or bent screen
- Likely cause: Damaged mesh or frame
- Repairable?: Usually yes: rescreen or a new screen
- Soft or rotted frame
- Likely cause: The frame itself has failed
- Repairable?: Probably not: this may need a new window
- Cracked, split, or warped frame
- Likely cause: Frame damage, minor or serious
- Repairable?: Sometimes: minor damage often still holds new glass, so send photos
You don't need to know any of these part names. Tell us what the window is doing, or just send a photo, and we'll figure out the rest. For a closer look at the most common cases, see our guides to foggy window repair and a window that won't stay up.
One promise on hardware: if we can't repair a hardware problem, we don't charge for that repair or the attempt.
When should you replace windows instead of repairing them?
Replace windows when the frame can't do its job anymore, and the clearest sign is wood that's rotted or soft. Cracked or warped frames are situational: minor damage often still holds new glass safely, so photos tell us more than a rule of thumb. Replacement also makes sense when you want a new style, size, or type of window. That's a remodel, not a repair.
This part matters, so here it is plainly. Some windows do need to be replaced, and a repair on those would waste your money. Here's how to read the common signs:
- The frame is soft or crumbling. Press on the wood near the bottom corners. If it gives or flakes away, the frame may be rotted, and that points to a new window.
- The frame or sash is cracked or split. This one is situational. Minor cracks often still hold new glass safely, while serious damage may not. Send photos of exactly where it's damaged and we'll tell you.
- The frame is bent or warped. Same thing. Sometimes we can make it work, sometimes we can't, and photos let us check.
- Many windows have several problems at once, and the frames are worn too. At some point, fixing part after part on worn-out frames stops making sense.
- You want something different. A bigger opening, a different style, a new look for the whole house. Repair keeps the window you have, so it can't give you a new one.
A window that won't open, close, lock, or stay up is a different story. That's usually worn hardware, and most of the time it's fixable. It isn't a reason to buy a new window. Our guide to a window that won't stay up explains the usual fixes.
We don't sell or install full windows. So if replacement is the right answer for your window, we'll tell you, and you can take that to a window company. You won't get a sales pitch from us either way.
Why do so many people replace windows that could be repaired?
Mostly because they don't know repair is an option. Many window companies are set up to sell and install complete windows, so a full replacement is what they quote. That's the work they do. A repair company looks at the same window and asks a different question: which part failed?
It's an easy assumption to make. Foggy glass looks like the whole window has failed. A sash that slams down feels like a broken window. And when the first quote you get is for a full replacement, it's natural to think that's the only path.
The cost of that assumption isn't just the new frame you didn't need. Replacement can bring other work with it, like new trim, painting, or siding repairs around the opening. And if you replace one window, it may not match the others. A repair avoids all of that when the frame is sound.
How do I find out if my window can be repaired?
Send us two photos: one of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the problem. Photo review is free, and if the photos show what we need, we can usually send a price within minutes during business hours. If the window needs replacing instead, we'll say so.
- Take two photos. The full window from inside, plus a close-up of the crack, fog, or broken part. If a window sticks or drops, a short video of it moving helps too. You can send photos or a video through the Start Service form, which you'll find on every page of our site.
- Send them. Start at https://2hourglass.com/start-service or text them to (267) 458-7879.
- Get an honest answer and a price. Each 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 does the work on site. Removal, disposal, and clean-up are included.
One trade-off: wood windows with a special paint finish may need a little touch-up after the glass goes in.
How long does a window repair take compared to replacement?
Regular-size clear single or double-pane glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. Tempered, textured, colored, and Low-E or argon glass has to be ordered, so we measure first and return to install, usually 2 to 3 weeks later. Replacement timing depends on the window company.
A few terms, in one line each:
- Tempered glass is safety glass that breaks into small pieces. It always has to be ordered, even when it's clear.
- Low-E glass has a thin, invisible coating that reflects heat.
- Argon is a gas sealed between the panes of some double-pane units.
Does a repaired window come with a warranty?
Yes. Double-pane glass we install comes with our Lifetime Seal Warranty. If the 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.
What customers say
"...Easy to communicate with and upfront about costs. Called and they came out the next day. Got it done in under an hour highly recommend this business."
Harrison S., 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
Is it cheaper to repair or replace windows?
A repair is a smaller job, since you keep the frame, trim, and paint you already have, so it usually costs less than a full replacement. In our experience, a glass repair usually costs about a third of a medium-quality full window replacement, and about a fifth of a high-end one. A range wouldn't tell you much, since the exact price depends on your glass and window. Send two photos and we can usually send your exact price within minutes during business hours.
How long does a window repair take?
Regular-size clear glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. Special glass like tempered or Low-E is measured first and installed when it arrives, usually 2 to 3 weeks later.
Can every window be repaired?
No. If the frame is rotted, or broken or warped too badly to hold new glass, the window likely needs replacing, and we'll tell you so.
Can foggy windows be repaired instead of replaced?
Usually, yes. Fog between the panes means the seal failed, and replacing the sealed glass unit clears it while the frame stays in place.
Will a repaired window match my other windows?
Usually, yes, because the frame and trim stay the same. The exact glass match is confirmed for each job.
What photos should I send?
One photo of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the problem. That's usually all we need to give you a price.
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.
