BUYER’S GUIDE: An honest effort to help you make a decision by sharing the information you need!

1 - PRICING AND COSTS

How much should I pay for restoring my windows? One of the main questions that arise from our customers when considering window repairs relates to the cost of the repair. Although there is no simple answer to this question, I will try my best to give you some helpful guidelines.

There are many ways to restore a window, and each will bring their own considerations in terms of costs.

• Glass replacement: A common problem for windows is the need to replace the glass. Factors like the size of the glass will impact the cost of the replacement in two ways. The most obvious way simply states that a larger glass unit will cost more — this is a no brainer! But the opposite may not be true: Due to manufacturing constraints, most glass manufacturers will charge a minimum of 4 square feet for a sealed unit (a double or triple pane glass unit), meaning that a tiny sealed unit (less than 4 sqft) may actually cost the same as a slightly larger one (let’s say one that would be exactly 4 sqft).
• Glass thickness and size: The second way in which the size impacts costs relates to the thickness of the glass unit. For most window applications, 3mm is the standard glass thickness. However, glass thickness will need to be increased to 4, 5 or 6mm (and sometimes more!) as the glass surfaces increase. For example, a glass surface above 15 sqft should no longer be 3mm, but 4mm, and a glass surface above 30 sqft should no longer be 4mm, but 5mm. Guidelines must be followed to ensure the correct thickness is used to ensure adequate strength of glass given the application.
• Type of glass (LowE & Argon): Next, comes the question of what type of glass will be used? A modern glass unit configuration will usually have a more energy efficient type of glass. We refer to this type of glass unit as “LowE” (which stands for Low Emissivity), where some silver oxide coatings are applied as part of the glass manufacturing process to limit the heat transfer (along with other technical property enhancements). Most of the time, the LowE glass units have an air space that is filled with Argon gas to further reduce the heat transfer and improve the energy efficiency. LowE & Argon glass units can be offered in different types of coatings (not all LowE coatings are the same), each having a different impact on the performance, aesthetics and cost. Your window specialist must be able to adequately counsel you when choosing the type of glass that is best for your windows.
• Window frame type and labour: Factors like the type of windows being worked on will also impact the labour costs. It is much easier for technicians to work on most vinyl-framed windows than it is for some wooden-framed ones, or windows with an exterior metal frame. While all these types of windows can have the glass replaced reliably, the labour involved for each will impact the cost of the replacement. A quick comment on wooden framed windows: once the glass replacement has been completed, there will often be a need for minor paint touch ups, which can slightly add to the costs of the project.
• Accessibility and specialty glass: Other factors like the accessibility of the windows (ladder, scaffolding, aerial reach lifts...), the type of specialty glass (i.e. doors will require tempered glass for safety, glass installed at a sloped angle will also require tempered, and sometimes also laminated glass, some fire rated glazing systems will require GPW or Georgian Polished Wired-mesh glass, some buildings have tinted, or mirror-type of glass...).
• Contractor credentials and warranty: Finally, who installs the glass, their qualifications, the warranty being offered, the stability and reputation of the contractor, its insurance coverage (liability, WCB) will all have an impact. While some contractors can offer very discounted rates, most serious ones with adequate credentials will often offer more value in the long run (through solid warranties, competent counseling & no-return-needed workmanship, but also some value-added benefits that are often offered to customers).

Our customers also reach out for another type of common window-related problem: Windows get stuck, don’t open/close freely or fully anymore, are drafty. Most of these types of issues can be resolved by working on the mechanisms surrounding the window. In some cases, some adjustments can be performed on existing hardware, while other times some components will need to be replaced (operators, locks, handles, weatherstripping...). The cost will vary based on the number of elements to be replaced for the window to fully recover its initial properties but should generally not exceed $400 even if several pieces of hardware need to be replaced and adjusted. A good way to minimise the cost of a service call can be to inspect other windows and see if they also need some maintenance. Most companies will set a minimum service charge to cover their initial expenses to dispatch technicians, but the cost per window will decrease as more work is performed on the same job site. At Basco, we encourage our customers to validate if more than one window needs to be serviced, and in the event when only one is currently problematic, we offer a free preventative maintenance service on all others to avoid other service calls in the future.

You live in your house, and you have control over how you can enjoy the benefits of properly functioning windows all year round! You can see how selecting a qualified team to help you determine the proper type of glass, with a safe and professional installation crew will impact how your windows contribute to your comfort at home for years ahead. Unfortunately, some people focus on the initial price with the goal of finding the cheapest contractor, therefore sacrificing quality, functionality and comfort of the home which inevitably leads to regrets — especially when the installation may need to be redone.

Our team at Basco is here to help you. We can quickly provide you with a quote for your window restoration project. Call us at 587-538-1199, or click on this link to request a quote: https://bascoworld.com/en/request-quote/.

2 - PROBLEMS YOU MAY ENCOUNTER WHEN CONSIDERING RESTORING YOUR WINDOWS

What if the restoration of my windows doesn’t fix all the problems? This is a valid concern that we hear from some of our clients. In fact, window restoration may not be the right solution for you. At Basco, we have built partnership with reputable companies that will do an amazing job at installing new windows, and we don’t hesitate to recommend them to our prospective clients when we feel this is the better way to service our customers.

Here are some examples of situations where restoring existing windows may not be the optimal solution:

• You need to change the configuration of your existing windows (the way they open, for example). In this case, a full window replacement will be the only reliable option.
• The wood window frames are rotten. In a case where the frame is no longer structurally sound (like rotten wood), it can be very labour intensive to try and reconstruct the damaged frame. In some cases where there is minor damage to the structure, it can still be cost effective to perform a repair. Your window specialist will be able to properly assess and determine the extent of the damage, and if a repair makes sense, or you’d be better off with a brand-new window. Keep in mind that repairs to the structure of a window will add some costs, and in most circumstances, replacing the whole window probably makes more sense.
• We’re going to put money in old windows to repair them but will still end up having “old” windows. Yes, if the priority is to have brand new windows don’t spend any more and reach out to a reputable company that will help you install new ones. The feedback we get from the hundreds of customers who chose to consider restoring windows depends on their particular situations. What is it that makes an old window “old”? What are your criteria as a homeowner that determine that what is there now must be replaced? The reality that what is failing can be replaced and that the window will fully recover its original properties (and often have better insulation than its initial state) does resonate with a lot of our clients: What had failed (foggy windows, broken hardware, faulty caulking, faulty weatherstripping) was replaced and the process made them feel like they made a very sensible decision! Some like the idea of avoiding sending unnecessary materials to the landfill and making their contribution for the environment. Some feel smart about having saved hundreds or thousands of dollars while extending the lifespan of their windows. Some also feel clever about the idea of having improved the energy efficiency of their windows without doing a full replacement. Some are simply happy to have completed a significant renovation project in their house without dealing with the full disruption, discomfort and lengthy process involved with a complete window replacement.
• You’re keen on the idea of moving from double pane to triple panes windows. First ask yourself why are you set on the idea of replacing double pane windows for triple pane ones? If the answer relates to better soundproofing, you are on the right track: While there are some ways to improve soundproofing by restoring double pane windows, the impact will be marginal, and the true solution lies in replacing them with triple pane ones. However, if you are like most of the clients we speak with, it is likely that your intent is to improve the energy efficiency, as well as the comfort of the windows. Depending on the current configuration of your windows, in several cases it is possible to more than double the insulation factor of a window by simply replacing the sealed unit (the glass portion of the window) with one that has a better insulating configuration (double or triple silver layer types of LowE coatings applied on the glass). This can significantly increase the comfort by reducing the heat gain in the summer, as well as the heat loss in the winter, without having to replace the whole frame of the window (reducing your costs, duration of the project, and overall disruption). This solution will also prevent the need to replace window coverings (as new windows almost never have the exact same opening, and existing blinds / curtains won’t fit anymore).

Other concerns our customers shared relate to the disruption during the installation phase:

• Will the interior frame be damaged, what about the drywall?
• What are the risks of cracking the stucco?
• Will the house freeze if it’s cold outside?
• Will I need to perform extra work after your team is done?

Let’s break down these concerns. We are all aware that renovation projects sometimes lead to unexpected surprises. The reality of replacing the glass within an existing window (given that the structure is still sound as explained above) is that the project is much simpler when compared to a full window replacement. To complete a glass replacement, the technicians do not require to work on any of the outer elements of the frame. No stucco being cut, no drywall being cut, the windowsill is also not being impacted. What will be impacted is that in most cases, the window coverings will need to be removed, then reinstalled after the work. Minimal disruption. Minimal construction phase.

The amount of time when the window is exposed to the elements (from the old glass is removed, until the new one is installed) is usually minimal and could take as little as 10 minutes, or up to 20 if the access is a bit more complicated. This reduces the “cooling down” of the house while the replacement if being done. Of course, if the weather if bad enough, the work should be re-scheduled!

Most of the time, there is no extra work needed after a glass unit has been replaced. The one exception to this will be some minor painting touch ups that might be required if the frames are made from wood. The reason for this is that some wood trims (we call them glazing stops in the trade!) that hold the glass in place must be removed, then reinstalled for our technicians to replace the glass. The seam between these wood trims and the window frames on which they were installed will see the paint cracking. There’s just no way to avoid it, but it usually leads to some very minor touch-ups being required.

What if the technicians cause more damage when working on the windows?

We are all humans and even the best of us make mistakes! How mistakes are being dealt with will determine is one is driven by accountability & responsibility, or by finding excuses & blame. As discussed above, restoring windows is a less complex project than doing a full window frame replacement, so the likelihood of a messy project with more damage to the house is lower. Here are some elements that can be at risk while we work on your windows:

• While replacing the glass, the technician has to remove some trims (glazing stops) that are placed directly against the glass. On wooden frames, these glazing stops will sometimes crack if the wood hasn’t been properly maintained and left to dry. In most cases, these cracks can be repaired with wood filler, or the glazing stops will simply be replaced with new ones.
• Very rarely, the same situation will occur on PVC (or vinyl) windows. While removing the PVC glazing stops, the technician may crack the part. Again, most competent contractors will carry replacement parts with them and can immediately replace them with new ones if this happens. A company that specializes in window restoration will also have accounts with several suppliers, ensuring that they can source parts from different window manufacturers and avoiding leaving a customer with a damaged window. On PVC windows, there is also the option of doing a repair directly on the damaged parts using specialty techniques that will leave the frame looking like a brand new one (this has become much more common in recent years with the hail storms Calgary has seen).
• Very rarely, on wooden frame windows, once the technician removes the glass from the frame, it reveals rotten wood at the base of the frame. Although this will most likely have been caught earlier in the process when the estimator is onsite for the final assessment, this situation, if not anticipated ahead of time can lead to a slightly longer restoration process as the technician will need to repair the frame by removing the compromised section of the frame, and rebuilding it to ensure a lasting solution.
• Damages to the floors can happen if no protection is put in place by the technician before starting the work. When handling glass, there is always the risk of breakage, especially if the old unit being removed is already cracked. A professional team will cover the floors with a thicker drop sheet (similar to what is used to protect furniture when moving) and use cork pads when leaning the glass on walls to avoid scratches & dents on your walls.
• The time you invest in your garden can lead to some amazing landscapes that can be the envy of your neighbourhood! If the windows being worked on is over your garden, it is possible that some ladders would leave minor damage to your garden. Technicians will usually be mindful of this and will try to minimize the impact of their work on your carefully manicured landscape, and can sometimes offer alternatives to avoid more damage (a scaffolding will sometimes allow to have the footprint of the area worked on completely over the plants).

3 - VERSUS AND COMPARISONS

Each year hundreds of customers come to us at Basco asking why they would restore their windows instead of fully replacing them. It is a valid question. We fully understand why our customers need to know the benefits and limitations of each option as they are going to live with their choice as long as they’re in their house. At Basco, we don’t sell full window replacement, we only focus on restoring them: Replacing the thermal panes (or sealed units, the glass portion of the windows), replacing and repairing the hardware, replacing the seals (weatherstripping or caulking around the windows). We recognize that for some of you, our solutions may not be the best option and whole new windows might be what best serves your needs.

We’re going to try and honestly explain the pros and cons of each type of solutions here, hoping to help you identify which is the best fit for your needs. The table below gives you a quick overview of the differences between window replacement and window restoration.