The national average cost to repair a window seal is $70-$120. Repairing a glass window seal could mean several things. You may need to replace a window sash (the part of the window that holds the glass and framework around the glass) with damaged panes letting air inside the panes. Or, you might need to defog a double paned window that has moisture trapped inside -- even when it's not foggy or humid enough outside to create condensation.
A window repair can help insulate your home, keep air inside your house, and reduce your energy bills. If you need a window seal repaired, a window specialist can put your panes in peak condition again. Before you a pro to repair your seal, get an estimate on how much repairs or window replacements will cost.
Why should you repair a broken window seal?
A sealed window is typically a triple or double pane window that has been factory sealed with gases injected between the panes. Also known as insulated gas units (IGUs), these gas-filled windows are much more common than single-paned glass windows in homes built in recent decades.
According to the Department of Energy, gas fills in windows improve energy efficiency, which -- along with insulated doors and walls -- can ultimately reduce your utility bills. The gas filling the space between the panes of IGUs is usually either krypton or argon. These slow-moving gases permit less convection than oxygen, so their presence helps improve the thermal efficiency of your window. The gases limit heat transference and more effectively insulate your home against summer heat and winter cold.
Gas-filled windows can leak as much as 1 percent per year, slowly reducing their efficacy over time. Even so, they should still provide good insulation for 20 years or more after installation.
Damage to your windowpanes can breach the glass seal, allowing the gas inside to leak out and eliminating the insulating power of the triple or double paned window. If you can see the actual damage to the seal or glass, or notice moisture or condensation gathering between the panes, it may be time for a professional to help replace the panes or fix the seal.
What affects the cost of repairing a window seal?
Although most window seal repairs are between $70-$120 on average nationwide, the cost of a seal repair for your windows will depend largely on what type of window repair you need, the size of the windows, and how many windows you need to fix. Many contractors will give you a discount if they need to repair multiple windows at once and can give you a free estimate before they begin.
Sash replacement
If you want to maintain the insulating integrity of a window with a damaged seal, it may be necessary to replace the window sash. The term sash refers to everything contained within the window frame, including the rails, stiles, gasket, glass, and gas (such as krypton or argon).
Many factors affect the cost of window glass replacements, explains Joe Puggioni of Window and Glass in Weedsport, New York. These include the type of window frame, the distance of the window from ground level, the size of the window, and the type of glass (internal grid, low-e, etc.). It's difficult to provide average costs for sash replacement, says Puggioni, which is why it's important to get a free estimate for your situation.
Here are some examples of cost from Weedsport Window and Glass:
Labor costs
To replace the sash, your contractor needs to consider materials as well as labor costs -- and labor-intensive jobs can raise the total window repair costs.
An example would be an old Andersen milled unit without access moldings. The only way to replace the glass is to cut moldings with a straight edge and razor knife where the simulated moldings appear to be, says Puggioni. Specialty situations like this will increase cost.
Replacing broken glass
You may just need a glass replacement, or you might have to re-do the whole thing to make sure your windows are properly insulated. Replacing glass in a double-paned window will cost around $170-180 on average depending on where you live.
Removing moisture
Defogging might cost anywhere from under $100 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the company, your geographic location, and the type and number of windows you want defogged.
Defogging is a newer technique to eliminate unsightly moisture that has collected between factory-sealed double or triple paned windows. The pro drills a small hole in the glass, cleans and dries the condensation off of the interior, and reseals the hole to prevent future fogging.
The look of your window will improve, but defogging is simply an aesthetic procedure and will not replace the gases or return your window to its former thermal resistance (known as an R-value).
How much does it cost to replace a window?
Sometimes, a simple window repair isn't possible or costs more than replacing the entire window. In this case, you may need to remove it and replace it with new windows. a window will run you about $135 to $145 on average for a single pane window, and $185 to $250 for double pane.
Whether you end up sealing or replacing your windows, though, most homeowners would agree this is an essential repair. Get started by for a contractor today.