Can Double Pane Windows Be Repaired? Ask a Window Expert

can double pane windows be repairedKelly in Sacramento has had a tragedy befall the new double pane windows she invested in, and now she’s looking for some info that can help. Kelly asks:

“This is a little bit of an embarrassing question, one I’m hoping is more common than I think, but I’m just going to go ahead and ask it anyway. Recently, I took your advice and invested in getting double pane windows for my home. Also recently, I just so happened to be watching my little nephew, who is 9 years old and absolutely in love with baseball. Long story short, we were playing catch for all of like 30 seconds before one of my throws sailed over his head and into a brand new double pane window.

It didn’t shatter, but there is a small crack in the outer pane now. I don’t really know what to do. These are my first double pane windows. If it was a normal window, I know I’d just have to get it repaired, but I guess what I’m wondering with these is, can double pane windows be repaired? Also, I went through you all at Bell Brothers and had custom windows put in, so I’m wondering if that affects the repair job at all too. Thank you so much in advance, excited to hear some of your window expert thoughts about all of this!” – Sincerely, Kelly in Sacramento

Ah jeez, Kelly, so sorry to hear your nice little game of catch went awry! Two things to tell you before we get to your question about whether or not double pane windows be repaired: first, windows broken during a game of catch are one of the most common reasons we get emergency calls; and second, you are far from the first person to ask this. This is a fairly common question, which is why today I’m happy to discuss your question about whether or not double pane windows be repaired, how the fact that it’s a custom job effects it, and also, for bonus points, how long is the lifespan of double pane windows. Let’s check it out!

Can Double Pane Windows Be Repaired? The Basics

repairing double pane windowsThe shortest possible answer to this question of can double pane windows be repaired is that yes, they definitely can. To expound on that a little bit, I think it’s important to note that as not all windows are created equal, so too not all window repair jobs are created equal. The fact that these windows are double pane does complicate the matter just a little bit.

The shortest possible answer to this question of can double pane windows be repaired is that yes, they definitely can.

We’ve talked a lot about double pane windows in the past. We’ve discussed how double pane windows work, as well as the benefits of double pane windows. Simply put, double pane windows make your home more energy efficient by adding a second pane of glass and a small sealed area in between the two, upping the effectiveness of your insulation. This makes it so the conditioned air generated by your furnace or AC can’t pass through your windows so easily.

You should call out a window repair company that has experience installing and repairing these types of windows, so that you can be sure the repair job gets done right.

What it means in terms of repairs, though, is that you’re dealing with a more complicated window. You should call out a window repair company that has experience installing and repairing these types of windows, so that you can be sure the repair job gets done right. This is doubly true of custom double pane windows like Kelly’s, which we’ll talk more about in our next section.

The Impact of Custom Windows on Double Pane Window Repair

When Kelly asked us, “Can double pane windows be repaired?,” she was right to also let us know that this was a custom window installation job. This doesn’t change the answer—which is still yes—but it does mean that Kelly needs to approach the repair job a bit differently. There are some one-size-fits-all window repair solutions out there (to be honest, none of which I’d recommend, especially not for homeowners with double pane windows), but those don’t apply to custom windows.

Custom windows are great because they allow homeowners to get new windows made special for their exact home. As such, when they unexpectedly need repair, they need a custom repair job too. Basically, if you’re looking to get your double pane window repaired, and it was a custom job, you need to call a custom window company to take care of it for you. Trust me.

The Lifespan of Double Pane Windows, and Why You Should Have Them Repaired

The last thing I think it’s important to note has to do with the lifespan of double pane windows. Now, Kelly was just asking can double pane windows be repaired, but part of the larger context of her question was that she herself was a first-time double pane window owner. She’s certainly not alone in that demographic. I’d say the majority of the double pane window owners I know are in that same boat.

The general lifespan for double pane windows is between eight and 20 years.

With that in mind, I want to wrap up here by letting Kelly and the others know how long double pane windows last. The general lifespan for double pane windows is between eight and 20 years. I suggest acting to get them replaced on the lower end of that because the seal and insulation that help your energy efficiency tends to become less effective over time. A good custom window expert, however, can let you know where your unique double pane windows are in their efficiency lifespan.

I hope this helps Kelly. Yes, you can get your double pane windows both repaired and replaced. No need to sweat that all that much. This sort of thing happens. Just make sure that you work with a company like Bell Brothers that has years of experience with both double pane and custom windows. An experienced custom window company can help you with repairs, replacements, and figuring out where your windows are at in their lifespan. Give us a call today!

Here at Bell Brothers, our trained installation professionals are always delighted to help you select and install any of the different types of energy efficient windows that can improve your home’s energy efficiency. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and to get answers to your questions about custom replacement windows cost.

Image courtesy lisafx