Here's a story we hear a lot. One window has a crack, or fog you can't wipe off. You call for a quote, and the answer comes back as five or six windows, because that's the smallest job the company takes on. Or you're told a single new window won't match the rest of the house.
So the one bad window stays the way it is, and you work around it. You don't have to. One window doesn't automatically mean a house full of new ones. Here are your options, and how to get a price for the window that actually has the problem.
Can I replace just one window in my house?
Yes. One window can be fixed on its own, and often it doesn't need replacing at all. If the frame is sound, new glass or new hardware solves the problem and the window stays in the wall. We repair a single window as readily as several. No job is too small.
It helps to know what's wrong with that one window. Most problems fall into one of three groups:
- Glass problems: a crack, a break, or fog trapped between the two panes of a double-pane unit.
- Hardware problems: the window won't stay up, won't lock, won't open, or won't crank.
- Frame problems: the wood is soft or rotted, or the frame is split or warped too badly to hold new glass. Minor cracks often still can.
The first two are repairs. Only the third usually calls for a new window.
Why do some window companies require a minimum number of windows?
Many window companies are set up for full installs: measuring, ordering complete units, and sending a crew to put them in. That kind of work is planned around bigger jobs, so some set a minimum number of windows. That's a business choice for that kind of project. A glass and hardware repair is a different kind of job.
Some homeowners we talk to were told five or six windows was the smallest order. Others were told that a single replacement would stick out because it wouldn't match the windows around it. Both concerns make sense for full replacement. Neither one applies when you're replacing only the glass, because the frame, trim, and paint stay exactly as they are.
That's the idea behind our tagline, "Replace the Glass, Not the Window." One bad window doesn't automatically mean a house full of new ones.
Do I need to replace the whole window, or just the glass?
If the frame and sash are in good shape, you usually need just the glass. Cracked, broken, and foggy panes can all be replaced on their own. You need a whole new window when the frame itself has failed and can't hold new glass securely.
- Cracked or broken pane
- What it usually needs: New glass
- New window needed?: Usually not
- Fog between the panes that won't wipe off
- What it usually needs: A new double-pane unit (the seal failed)
- New window needed?: Usually not
- Won't stay up or slides down
- What it usually needs: New balances
- New window needed?: Usually not
- Won't lock or latch
- What it usually needs: New lock, keeper, or latch
- New window needed?: Usually not
- Won't crank open
- What it usually needs: New crank or operator
- New window needed?: Usually not
- Torn screen
- What it usually needs: Rescreen or a new screen
- New window needed?: No
- Soft or rotted frame
- What it usually needs: The frame has failed
- New window needed?: Probably yes
- Cracked, split, or warped frame
- What it usually needs: Frame damage
- New window needed?: Depends: send photos
For more on the glass-only option, see Can you replace just the glass in a window? If your one window is foggy, our foggy window repair guide covers that in detail.
Will one repaired window match the rest of my windows?
Usually, yes. When we replace only the glass, the frame, sash, trim, and paint stay as they were, so the window keeps looking like its neighbors. The exact glass match is confirmed for each job, and wood windows with a special paint finish may need a little touch-up afterward.
This is one of the quieter benefits of fixing instead of replacing. A brand new unit in a row of older windows can look different in color, frame shape, or sightlines. A glass swap leaves the outside of the house the way you're used to seeing it.
If your glass is special, such as tempered, textured, colored, or Low-E, we'll match it by ordering it. In plain terms:
- Tempered glass is safety glass that breaks into small pieces instead of sharp shards. It's common in doors.
- Low-E glass has a thin, invisible coating that reflects heat.
- Textured glass is patterned for privacy, often in bathrooms.
How much does it cost to replace one window's glass?
Every job is priced on its own, based on the size and type of glass and what the window needs. A glass-only repair is a smaller job than a new window because you keep the frame and trim. We don't publish price ranges, because a range would mislead: the price depends on your exact glass and window. 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. Send two photos and we can usually send your exact price within minutes during business hours.
What tends to move the price on a single window:
- Size of the glass. Bigger panes cost more than small ones.
- Type of glass. Single pane, double pane, tempered, Low-E, textured, or colored.
- Where the window is. Ground floor or harder to reach.
- What else it needs. Glass only, or glass plus hardware or a screen.
For a full breakdown, see our guide to window glass replacement cost. You'll get a fair price for the right repair, and you'll see the number before you book.
When does one window really need to be replaced?
When the frame has failed. If the wood is rotted or soft, new glass won't fix it, and a new window is the right call. We'll tell you so. A cracked or slightly warped frame is a different case. Sometimes it can still hold new glass safely, so send photos and we'll tell you.
Signs that point toward a full replacement, and the ones that depend:
- The wood is soft or crumbles when you press on it. Rotted wood can't hold new glass securely, so this one points to a new window.
- The frame or sash is cracked or split. This one depends. Minor cracks often still hold new glass safely, while bigger damage may not. Send photos of exactly where it's damaged and we'll tell you which it is.
- The frame is bent or warped. Same thing: it's situational, and sometimes we can make it work. Photos let us check before you decide anything.
- You want a different size, style, or type of window. That's a remodel, not a repair.
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. If your one window needs replacing, we'll say so plainly, and you can take that to a window company. Not every window can be saved. Many more can than people expect.
How do I get a price for just one window?
Send two photos: one of the full window from inside and one close-up of the problem. Photo review is free. If the photos show what we need, we can usually send a price within minutes during business hours, and then you pick a time.
- Take the photos. Full window from inside, plus a close-up of the crack, fog, or broken part.
- Send them. Start at https://2hourglass.com/start-service or text (267) 458-7879.
- Get your price. No sales visit, no quote for every window in the house.
- Book a visit. Same-day or same-week appointments when available.
- We come to you. Our mobile glass truck does the work on site. Regular-size clear glass is usually replaced in one visit, most of the time within 2 hours. Special glass is measured first and installed when it arrives, usually 2 to 3 weeks later.
Removal of the old glass, disposal, and clean-up are included. Double-pane glass we install comes with our Lifetime Seal Warranty, which covers seal failure and fog between the panes. 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
"Bill just fixed our cloudy window, which we couldn't see out. It was great that we didn't need to replace the whole window, but just replace the glass. Bill was very courteous, and his work was excellent! The room feels transformed! The process from quote to finish was great! Definitely recommend."
Melissa C., 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 there a minimum number of windows?
No. No job is too small, and we'll fix one window. You don't have to bundle it with others to get a price or an appointment.
How much does it cost to fix one window?
Each job is priced individually, based on the size and type of glass and what the window needs. Send two photos for your exact price, usually within minutes during business hours.
How long does it take to fix one window?
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 usually takes 2 to 3 weeks after ordering.
Should I repair or replace my one bad window?
If the frame is solid, repair is usually the better fit. If the frame is rotted, it needs replacing. Cracks or warping depend on the damage, so send photos.
Do I have to remove the window or bring it in?
No. Our mobile glass truck comes to your home or business, and the work happens on site.
What photos should I send?
One photo of the full window taken from inside and one close-up of the problem. You don't need to know the part names or glass type.
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.
