Expert Advice on Home Window Repair for Modesto Homeowners

I love exploring the Central Valley on my days off. Modesto, in particular, is one of my favorite spots—it’s really a hidden gem of a city. With its vibrant art scene, top-notch doughnuts (I’m talking about you, Mr. T), and proximity to the wonderful rivers and lakes near Waterford, it really is something special. Despite its growing population, it manages to have a homey, small-town feel I’m a sucker for.

Luckily for me, I get to spend a lot of time in Modesto time of year—but not just on my days off. Modesto’s piping hot summer days and cool summer nights seem to inspire a lot of people to repair or replace their windows so they can better regulate the temperature in their houses. Old, drafty, hard-to-open single pane windows with wonky frames are very common in Modesto homes, making the summer months almost unbearable when ACs can’t keep up with the hot air flowing in.

If you struggle with keeping your home comfortable during the crazy 30 degree temperature fluctuations Modesto sees troughout the summertime, you may want to take a closer look at your windows. Here’s what you need to know about Modesto home window repair and replacement so that you can keep cool during the day and stay nice and toasty all night long.

Considerations for Modesto Home Window Repair or Replacement

Having your windows repaired or replaced is a big decision so, before you take the leap, quickly assess your windows yourself. There are a number of things that could be wrong with your windows, some of which will call for a complete replacement and some of which may only require some moderate repairs.

Here are the most common problems I’ve seen with windows in Modesto homes—and the consequences they can have for homeowners. When you do a preliminary inspection of your windows, keep an eye out for the following problems:

• Rotting frames: Many older Modesto homes have old wooden frames that have been taken over by mold and mildew. Rotting frames often result in a poor seal with cracks and leaks that let in Modesto’s extreme heat during the day and cold air during the night, making your HVAC system work extra hard. A poor seal can also let the Central Valley’s many allergens into your home, resulting in unwanted itchy eyes, sneezing fits, and stuffy noses.
• Wooden frames: As I mentioned before, wood doesn’t do very well in Modesto’s climate. The chilly, wet winters encourage rot and warping, and the hot, dry summers can cause cracking. This can make your windows hard to open and close (something you’ll likely be doing a lot of in the summertime) and if the pane isn’t secure in the frame, it can cause some rattling. In this case, it’s likely you do need to get your windows replaced, so installing new custom vinyl windows is your best bet.
• Condensation: Condensation on either the outer or inner window pane is not a concern, but condensation that seems to be inside the window pane between the layers of glass is. This means that the airtight seal on your window has been compromised and your window needs to be replaced, not repaired.
• Single pane windows: A lot of the older homes in Modesto have single pane windows that offer poor sound proofing and low energy efficiency. Thin panes tend to be quite drafty, making it a challenge to regulate the temperature inside your home—something you don’t want in any season in Modesto.

Should You Repair or Replace Windows in Your Modesto Home?

If your windows seem to have one or more of the problems mentioned above, it’s likely that they need to be replaced. While a repair job can easily address small cosmetic problems with one or two windows in your house, if you have moldy or rotten wood frames, condensation between panes, or outdated single pane windows, the best idea is to have all of your windows replaced in your home at the same time.

Of course, choosing the right windows for your Modesto home is key. Installing vinyl windows is a good idea because vinyl isn’t prone to mold and mildew like wood tends to be, making them a good choice for the damp winters around here. Vinyl also creates a very tight seal, meaning that there won’t be any air leaks or drafts. Also, be sure to look for ceramic spacers as they, together with vinyl framing, are the most effective option for preventing condensation from forming between the panes.

While a repair job can easily address small cosmetic problems with one or two windows in your house, if you have moldy or rotten wood frames, condensation between panes, or outdated single pane windows, the best idea is to have all of your windows replaced in your home at the same time.

Replacing your single pane windows with double pane ones will undoubtedly also make a huge difference in the climate of your home. An extra sheet of glass and a layer of air work wonders when it comes to sound dampening in your home and lowering the burden on your HVAC system (and subsequently your energy bill). In fact, replacing your single panes with double panes could mean as much as a $319 reduction in energy costs annually for homes in the Central Valley.

The 30-degree temperature fluctuation that characterizes Modesto’s summers isn’t going anywhere, so upgrading your windows is the best long-term choice. This way, you can beat the intense heat of the daytime and stay warm and cozy during those cool nights. Trust me when I say that this will make your summer all the more enjoyable.  

Get the perfect custom vinyl replacement windows for your beautiful Modesto home. Contact the window installation experts at Bell Brothers to replace your old, worn out—and energy inefficient—single pane windows today.

Image courtesy Unsplash user Wendy Aros-Routman