Window Repair in the Capital Region
Not every window problem needs a new window, and a contractor who tells you otherwise on every call is selling, not diagnosing. A sash that will not stay up is usually a twenty dollar balance and an hour of labor. A cracked pane in an otherwise sound window is a glass job, not a window job. A sticky casement is often a hinge adjustment.
Most window problems are repairable and cost far less than replacement. Balance and hardware repairs run $75 to $250 per window, glass replacement runs $150 to $600 per sash, and sill or jamb repair runs $200 to $800. We tell you honestly when repair is not worth it.
Where repair stops making sense is when the frame itself has failed, when the seals have gone on most of the units in the house at once, or when you are spending a third of the replacement cost to extend the life of something by three years.
Sundog does both, which means we have no reason to steer you. We will quote the repair and the replacement side by side and tell you which one we would pick.
What we repair most often
- Sash that falls shut or will not stay open, usually a failed balance
- Cracked or broken glass from storm debris or impact
- Fogged or hazy glass between the panes, which is seal failure
- Windows painted shut or swollen shut
- Rotted sills and lower jambs, common on south and west elevations
- Failed weatherstripping letting air through a closed window
- Broken locks, cranks, latches and hinges
- Torn or missing screens
Repair or replace: the honest math
Use this as a rule of thumb, then get both numbers before deciding.
| Situation | Usually repair | Usually replace |
|---|---|---|
| One broken balance, frame sound | Yes | |
| Cracked pane, frame sound | Yes | |
| Fogged glass, one or two windows | Yes, replace the glass unit | |
| Fogged glass, most of the house | Yes, the units are all the same age | |
| Rotted sill, rest of frame solid | Yes | |
| Rotted frame and jambs | Yes | |
| Single pane, drafty, historic district | Yes, restore plus storms | |
| Single pane, drafty, no restrictions | Yes, replacement is better value | |
| Repair cost over half of replacement | Yes |
Fogged glass does not mean a new window
When you see haze or moisture between the panes, the seal on the insulated glass unit has failed and the argon has escaped. A lot of homeowners assume this means a whole new window. In most cases the insulated glass unit is a separate component that sits in the sash, and it can be measured, ordered, and swapped while the frame, sash and hardware stay put. That typically runs $150 to $600 per sash instead of $450 to $1,400 for the window. It is worth doing on one or two windows. When most of the house fogs up within the same couple of years, the units were all installed at the same time and the rest are queued up behind them, and replacement becomes the better spend.
Ranges reflect typical Capital Region projects and are for planning only. Every Sundog quote is written, itemized, and free.
How the project runs
- 1
Diagnose before quoting
We find out what actually failed. A draft at the window is often the trim or the perimeter, not the window itself.
- 2
Quote repair and replacement together
You see both numbers and the expected remaining life of the repair before you decide.
- 3
Source the parts
Balances, cranks, locks and weatherstrip are often still available even on units twenty years old. We identify the manufacturer from the sash label.
- 4
Complete the repair
Most repairs are done in a single visit. Glass and custom parts sometimes need a return trip.
- 5
Test and verify
Every repaired unit is opened, closed and locked before we leave.
Common repairs and what they cost
- Balance replacement, restores a sash that will not stay up
- Sash cord and pulley repair on historic double hungs
- Insulated glass unit replacement for fogged windows
- Single pane glass replacement
- Casement operator and crank replacement
- Lock, latch and keeper replacement
- Weatherstripping replacement
- Sill and jamb rot repair with epoxy consolidation or wood replacement
- Screen rescreening and frame repair
- Freeing painted-shut and swollen sash
Where we do this work
We handle window repair across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties from our Troy office. These are the markets we are in most often.
Frequently asked questions
Can a fogged window be fixed without replacing the whole window?
Usually yes. The fog is inside the sealed insulated glass unit, which is a component that sits inside the sash. It can be measured and replaced while the frame and hardware stay in place, typically for $150 to $600 depending on size and glass package. Defogging services that drill and vent the unit exist, but they do not restore the gas fill and the improvement is temporary.
How much does window repair cost?
Hardware and balance repairs generally run $75 to $250 per window. Glass unit replacement runs $150 to $600 per sash. Sill and jamb rot repair runs $200 to $800 depending on how far it has gone. We quote per window rather than a flat trip rate so you can pick which ones to do.
Why will my window not stay open?
The balance has failed. In a double hung, the balance is a spring or block-and-tackle mechanism in the jamb that counterweights the sash. They wear out, typically after fifteen to twenty-five years. It is one of the most common and least expensive window repairs, and parts are often still available even for older units.
Do you repair windows you did not install?
Yes. Most of our repair work is on windows installed by someone else, often decades ago. We can usually identify the manufacturer from a label etched in the glass corner or stamped on the sash, which is what lets us source the correct balance or operator.
Is it worth repairing old wood windows?
If the wood is sound, very much so. Old-growth wood sash are denser and more rot resistant than anything manufactured today, and a restored, weatherstripped sash with a low-E storm performs well. If the sash are already soft and the joints have opened, the labor to bring them back exceeds what a replacement costs.
How fast can you come out for a broken window?
For broken glass we prioritize getting the opening secured, which we can usually do quickly, then measure for the replacement pane. A custom insulated glass unit takes a week or two to come in. A single pane in a wood sash can often be done same visit.
Related services
Worth reading before you decide
Get a written quote for window repair
Free measure, itemized pricing, and an honest recommendation on whether this is the right scope for your house.