Alternatives to Reglazing Windows

Upgrading Glazing

• One easy alternative to reglazing windows with the same type of glass is to upgrade window glass to a more energy-efficient glazing product. This may involve replacing single-pane glazing with a double-pane system that uses two sheets of glass and a pocket of gas to keep warm air in your home during cold weather. Glazing upgrades also include tinted glass that prevents the sun from overheating your home in the summer, which allows you to reduce the amount of time you use an air conditioner to keep cool inside.

New Windows

• Another alternative to reglazing windows is replacing them with entirely new window units. Window replacements are a good idea if your old windows have damaged frames or sills or if they provide poor insulation. New windows, including durable aluminum-clad windows and vinyl windows, are easy to clean and last longer than traditional wood windows. They also resist warping and cracking, which provides better insulation where the window meets your home's walls.

Sealing Up Windows

• In some situations you may choose to seal up windows rather than reglazing or replacing them. This is an option if your home's layout, or the space outside the window, has changed since the window was originally installed. For example, a large tree may have grown to cover an upper window; if the tree's branches broke the window, sealing it rather than reglazing it will prevent future damage. If you've expended your basement living area and added large new egress windows, you may prefer to seal up old windows as they need replacement rather than simply reglazing them.

Door Installation

• Replacing a window with a door is an alternative to reglazing that also adds an entry and exit point for the room. For example, rather than reglazing windows in your dining room, you can add glass doors that open to a new patio or backyard deck. Windows in a garage or shed may serve more use as doors, which can still contain small windows to allow light in. Installing a new door at the site of an existing window is somewhat easier than installing it elsewhere since the opening is partially present and the site is known not to be part of your home's load-bearing structure.