ServicesWindow Repair
Window Repair in Mountlake Terrace
Many windows that stick, fog or leak air still have years left in them. We find the part that failed, replace it with care, protect your floors and plantings while we work, and tell you plainly whether repair or replacement makes more sense.
When a Repair Is the Right Call
A window is a set of parts: the glass unit, the seals around it, the sash, the balances or crank that move it, and the weatherstripping that closes the gaps. Often only one of those has worn out. If the frame is square and solid, replacing the failed part restores the window at a fraction of the disruption of a new unit.
Our long, damp winters are hard on seals and wood sills, so fogging between panes and soft sills are common reasons people reach us. We look at the whole window before recommending anything. If the frame is rotted through or the unit is near the end of its life, we will say so and explain what window replacement would involve instead, with no pressure either way.
What Our Window Repair Covers
Insulated glass unit replacement
When the seal between panes fails, moisture gets in and leaves a haze you cannot wipe away. We measure the existing unit, order a new one to match, and set it back into your sash with fresh glazing tape or stops.
Sash balances and tilt hardware
Single- and double-hung windows that slam shut or will not stay open usually have a broken balance. We replace balances, pivot bars and tilt latches so the sash moves smoothly and holds its position.
Casement and awning operators
Stripped cranks and bent arms are a frequent failure on hinged windows. We fit new operators and hinges and adjust the sash so it closes evenly against the seal.
Weatherstripping and seals
Worn weatherstripping lets in drafts and the sound of the street. We pull the old material, clean the channels and install new stripping sized to your window.
Locks, latches and screens
A window that will not lock is a safety problem as much as a comfort one. We replace locks and keepers, and repair or rescreen damaged screens while we are there.
Sill and trim repair
Where a wood sill or exterior trim has softened, we cut out the damaged section, repair or replace it, and seal it so water sheds away from the opening.
Signs Your Windows Need Repair
Fog between the panes
Condensation trapped inside double-pane glass means the seal has failed. The window loses much of its insulating value, and the haze tends to get worse over time.
A sash that drops or sticks
If you have to prop a window open or force it up, a balance or track has likely failed. Left alone, it can strain the frame or crack the glass.
Drafts near closed windows
Feeling moving air or seeing curtains shift on a still day points to worn weatherstripping or a sash that no longer closes tightly.
A crank that spins freely
When the handle turns but the window barely moves, the operator gears are stripped. This is usually a quick, contained fix.
Soft or stained sills
Dark staining, peeling paint or wood that gives under a thumb means water is getting in. Catching it early often keeps a repair small.
How a Repair Visit Runs
- 1
A conversation by phone
You tell us what the window is doing, and we set a time for a free, no-pressure look. We ask a few questions so we arrive with the right tools.
- 2
Inspection and a written estimate
We examine each window you are concerned about, take photos of what we find, and write up a line-item estimate. You will know which parts we recommend replacing and why.
- 3
Ordering parts
Many hardware parts are on hand, while custom glass units and some balances are ordered to size. We tell you the expected wait and confirm the return date ahead of time.
- 4
Repair day with your home protected
We lay drop cloths inside, keep tools off your floors, and set mats or tarps over beds and plantings below the window. Before we leave we test every repaired window with you and clean up glass, dust and old parts.
What Shapes the Cost of a Window Repair
The price of a repair comes down to which part gave out and how easy it is to reach. We look at the window first and then write up an estimate, so the figure matches the work your window actually needs. Flexible payment options are available if they help.
- Type of repair
- New weatherstripping or a replacement lock is a modest job. A new insulated glass unit sits higher on the scale, since each one is built to fit your sash to the fraction of an inch.
- Size and glass options
- Bigger panes cost more to make. Tempered safety glass, low-E coatings and obscure glass for bathrooms each add to the price of a new unit.
- Access and height
- A ground-floor window is simple to reach. Upper-story windows, or ones above a deck or a steep bank, can call for taller ladders or staging.
- Hidden damage
- Occasionally a sash comes out and reveals soft wood or old water damage behind it. When that happens we pause, show you photos, and talk through the options before any work beyond the estimate begins.
Window Repair Questions
Something not covered here? (425) 600-7934
My double-pane window is hazy inside. Does the whole window have to go?
Usually not. When the frame and sash are in good shape, we swap out only the sealed glass unit. That clears the view and brings back the insulating value, and your interior trim and exterior stay as they are.
How do I know whether to repair or replace?
We base it on the frame. If it is square, dry and solid, repair usually makes sense. If several windows are failing at once or the frames are warped or rotted, we will explain why window replacement may be the better use of your money.
Is your repair work covered?
Yes. Any repair we complete is backed by our 10-year workmanship warranty. We are licensed for this work, and we carry insurance and are bonded, so you are not taking on the risk while we are at your home. We can walk through what the warranty covers when you call.
Will you make a mess inside the house?
We work to avoid it. Drop cloths go down before any tools come out, and plantings outside get covered. Old glass and parts leave with us, and we vacuum the work area before we go.
Do you repair older aluminum or wood windows?
Often we can, depending on whether parts are still made for them. We will tell you honestly if a part is no longer available and what that means for the window.
Let's Take a Look at That Window
A short phone call is enough to start. We will set up a no-pressure visit, show you what we find, and give you a clear written estimate.