Ask the right questions when choosing a window contractor

• Do they remove and replace complete window and sash parts that are water damaged. Or do they patch and splice pieces together?
  
• Can they make new custom parts for window frames and sashes if needed?
• What types of material and methods do they use to repair the windows?
  
• What types of sealants and fillers do they use to caulk joints and fill holes?
• Do they have before and after pictures of finished window repairs?
  
• Do they have references from previous window repair customers?
• Do they have liability and workman's compensation insurance on all employees?
  • Many contractors misrepresent their workers as independent contractors and not employees. This allows them to avoid the expense of workman's injury compensation, employer tax contributions and unemployment insurance and therefore gives them an unfair price advantage. Protect yourself and others, ask for proof of workman's comp and liability when deciding to hire any contractors. Indiana has the highest rate of misclassified independent contractors in the nation and all taxpayers are paying for it.
    

The picture below is an example of a really bad repair job on a house that I recently went to do an estimate for. I often wonder what the person repairing this window was thinking!

The next picture is a more common window repair mistake we come across. Notice the big gaps and how the trim is no longer aligned on the left vertical side? Yeah, that homeowner was not happy.

The right way

• We completely remove the part of the window that is damaged. We do not patch or splice parts together wherever possible.
  
• We have a full shop and are capable of making even the most complicated window parts to maintain window design and integrity.
  
• We use only the best materials including: CPVC rot free composites and solid woods.
  
• We use the best quality sealants and fillers to protect your windows and your investment.
  
• We have photos to prove the quality of our work.
  
• We can provide references from homeowners, realtors, and inspectors.
  

We are fully insured to protect our homeowners and our employees. Certificates are available upon request.

We want to hear from you!

We do not just do window repair. We do all forms of home improvement as well. Ask us about other home improvement projects.

Window Maintenance Tips

I have seen windows that were over twenty years old and in excellent condition. I asked these homeowners what their secret and was almost always given the same answer caulking and painting on a regular basis, sometimes as often as every year. This can be a very time consuming process and not many of us have the time to repaint every window in our house on a yearly basis. However I think that by spending 15 or 20 minutes on each window every couple of years you could at least double the average life expectancy of your wood windows. People I know that have been doing this since day one have 25 year old windows that look as good as new. In almost every case the wood rot is found in a handful of specific locations. Along the bottom section of the window the sills are more horizontal and can collect moisture that will sit on the wood and start to wear away the protecting layer of paint. This is where we find the majority of the problems if just this lower section of the window is routinely inspected and caps are caulked and cracking paint is removed and re painted most of the problem might be avoided. Please don't hesitate to ask for more information on what you can do to have hassle free window and protect the investment in your home.

 

Our Work

• Wood Rot is a common problem in Indiana. In our experience we have seen windows as new as 8 years old start to show signs of wood rot. If allowed to continue this problem will spread to other parts of the window and eventually to the structural framing of your home. Replacing all the windows in your home can be expensive and sometimes cost prohibitive. If you want to replace only a few windows you might have trouble finding new windows to match the existing ones. ExpertWindow offers a cost effective solution to window replacement.


• We completely remove the existing damaged wood components of the window and replace them with a rot proof composite material. These pieces are milled to look just like the existing windows and can be painted to match. If your sashes need extensive repairs we can order new sashes from most companies or custom build them in our shop.

• The cost of window repair is a fraction of the cost of window replacement. Many of our clients never knew that repairing their windows was even an option. Having contacted us to get a quote on replacing a few windows that were starting to rot they were surprised to find out that we could replace just the parts that were damaged. Many times the wood rot might be confined to a single piece of wood in which case the cost of repairing it might be as low as 100 dollars. Compared to the price of a new window its worth getting an inspection to determine whats right for you. If you are looking for a cost friendly alternative to window replacement then ExpertWindow can help.

• Repairing your window will prolong the life of the window for years to come but if not properly maintained other parts of the window that were not replaced may start to show signs of wood rot.

• I have seen windows that were over twenty years old in excellent condition. I asked these homeowners what their secret was; the commonality they shared is caulking and painting on a regular basis. Depending on the type of window, these homeowners have inspected and maintained their windows on a yearly basis. Not all windows will need work every year but if you notice peeling paint and cracks in the joints your windows are exposed to water damage and wood rot problems. I know this can be a very time consuming process and most of us do not have the time to repaint every window in our house on a yearly basis. However, I think that by spending as little as 30 minutes on each window every couple of years you can at the very least double the average life expectancy of your wood windows.

• One of the most common causes of sashes starting to rot is a lack of paint on the bottom edge of the window sash. This is the edge that if you open the window then go outside and look under the window at the bottom edge of the open sash you will see if it has been painted. No one ever looks there and many times this edge has never been painted in the life of the window. This edge sits just above the inner sill of the window, if the weatherstripping is missing of not working properly moisture will settle on this sill and start causing damage.

• ExpertWindow will be happy to discuss window maintenance with you and make suggestions about prolonging the life of your windows. We also will be offering affordable yearly inspections and maintenance service plans.

Visit us at www.expertwindow.com for more information

Before and After Repairs

Before window repair


After Window Repair