Category: Installing Your Own Windows

Tips and tricks for those planning on installing their own replacement windows.

Now Offering the Best Replacement Windows (almost) Nationwide!

Way back in the fall of 2015 we started testing a program offering quotes for the best replacement windows by email with no in-home salesperson. It was a wild idea.

Customers could get prices, ask questions and then have their windows professionally measured and installed with no pushy salesperson in their living room. Everyone thought we were crazy and it’s been a HUGE success!

Now we’re offering replacement windows with and without professional installation in dozens of cities across the country. Thanks to our fantastic readers this program has been a runaway success. As a result, we’ve expanded to 37 markets. We’ve even added the upgraded Gentek product line in many markets in addition to Alside, Revere and others.

Order Alside and Gentek windows online and other brands too.
Here’s the window dog hard at work with the team at a home and garden show. He has to earn his kibble around here!

This is the easiest possible way to order replacement windows

First, we’re offering a wide range of replacement windows from the best manufacturers. Our most popular options have been the Gentek Signature Elite and the Alside Mezzo and there are many others to choose from. We’re also offering all styles of windows including double hung windows, casement windows, bay windows, garden windows, sliding patio doors and much more.

Next we’re offering top quality installation with a local project manager and top quality installation crews to make sure everything is done right. You can also install the windows yourself if you’d prefer.

Best of all, if you’re in an area covered by this program, we can get you a complete itemized quote for your project by email without you ever inviting a salesperson into your home.

That’s right, you could spend several evenings inviting salespeople into your home to give you their sales pitch, walk you through their predetermined “price drops” and try to close the deal with their 50% off today only special after calling the manager for a special deal 3 times. Or, you could exchange a few emails with our industry experts to get your project moving along quickly and easily. This really is the future.

So who is Window Universe?

Order Alside, Gentek, Revere windows online from Window Universe.

Window Universe is the company we founded many years ago. We’ve grown from one small business operating out of an apartment to a multimillion-dollar business offering windows in 37 states with more on the way.

How does this all work?

It’s pretty simple, which is why I love it. When you’re ready to get a quote by email for your replacement window project just fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you with more info by email right away.

We don’t need the sizes of the windows to get you a quote. This seems unusual to some folks, but we just don’t need to measure the windows to give you a quote in most cases. It’s just not necessary for the vast majority of projects. We will have the windows professionally measured before the manufacturing begins so they’ll fit just right, but it’s not needed at this point.

The basic info we’ll need is:

  1. How many windows you want to replace?
  2. How do you want them to open
  3. What color window frames do you want

That’s it, just the basics.

If there is anything about your project that you think is unusual just note it and we’ll address it when we get back to you. The whole process is really easy.

The best way to order replacement windows.

What have our customers been saying about this program?

 Here’s one example:

If you don’t want to DIY your replacement windows but pride yourself in being an informed consumer, Window Universe is the way to go! After sitting for hours listening to people tell me why their windows were the best, I couldn’t figure out why the window packages I was being presented with were so expensive ($10 – 12k for 7 slider windows)…

We are so pleased with the windows, the installer, and the process… Window Universe has created a great way to inform yourself as a consumer and be able to get real numbers. No games, gimmicks or “guess what your price is going to be if you buy it today!”

I rarely write reviews for products/services, but I was so impressed with the process, price and product, I told Dan that I would be happy to endorse them!

–Excerpt of an Angie’s List review from Andrea in Seattle, WA

Here’s another example

Every aspect of this window experience was excellent. They didn’t give a sales pitch, but instead provided links to specific information about all different types/brands of windows with ratings and specifications, so I was able to make an informed decision. 

He then provided a very detailed quote so I knew exactly what I was paying for, and was able to add or remove options and see the price impact of these changes. The accountant in me loved this approach.  Once we agreed to the window specs, I was given a final price and the measuring was scheduled. 

The gentlemen who came to measure the windows arrived when scheduled and was quick and efficient.  The windows were promptly ordered and once the windows were ready, the installation was scheduled.  The installation crew arrived on time and got right to work.  They put down tarps on my carpets since the install was on the 2nd floor and it was wet and snowy outside.  They installed the windows in a few hours and cleaned up afterwards.

–Excerpt of an Angie’s List review from Lisa in Philadelphia, PA

Here’s a bit more feedback from Austin in Dallas.  You get the idea.

Everyone loves it.

Double hung and casement windows from Window Universe.

Why are the prices for replacement windows so great?

Great question. Window Universe is a completely different kind of window company. We’re able to offer top quality products and expert level service at a very low price because we don’t spend our money on things you don’t care about.

Most traditional window companies spend tons and tons of money on sales and marketing. It’s not unusual for a company to spend 30%-40% of their total sales dollars on things that you don’t care about like sales commissions, marketing and advertising. We don’t do that. Paying people to walk around neighborhoods knocking on doors is expensive, so are tv commercials and billboards.

Another company may be able to get to a similar price by offering cheap windows or by using cheap subcontractors. That’s a low price, but it’s not a great value.

A typical company offering the replacement windows and service that we offer would charge $10k for a project while we would charge $7k or less. It’s a great deal because our business model is more efficient.

Best quality replacement windows with prices online and quotes by email.

I have more questions about replacement windows

Great! I love it when folks ask great questions. I’ve been emailing with many people about this program since we launched. I’ve noted most of the questions we get and put the answers all in one place for you.

On our FAQ page you’ll find answers to all sorts of questions like:

  • Will the price change after the windows are measured?
  • Who does the installation?
  • What is the warranty on these windows?
  • Are these the right windows for my climate?

How do I get a quote for replacement windows online?

That’s the easiest part. When you’re ready to get a detailed itemized quote for your project just fill out the form below (or click the city nearest to you to see the local website) and we’ll send you back an email just as quickly as we can.

If you don’t know the answer to any of the questions or if you’re not sure about something just make a note of it and send in the form as complete as you can. It’s ok if you don’t know all of the terms for these things. We know everyone isn’t an expert when it comes to replacement windows.

The cutest window reps at the face painting booth

What if I don’t know the window terms?

Don’t worry about it. If you’re unsure about something just take your best guess and let us know you’re not quite sure. We can always revise the proposal later.

The first quote we send is intended to be a starting point. Our customers revise their quotes an average of 4 times before placing an order. This is just a starting point and we can make unlimited revisions until we have the order just right.

You can also reply to our initial email with pictures, dimensions or anything else you’d like to show us.

What areas are included in this program?

Here is the list of states and cities where we are currently offering replacement windows and doors. We’ll surely be adding more soon so if your state isn’t on the list check back often.

Select the area closest to you to learn more

Don’t see the area you’re looking for? try this section.

If you’re within about an hour of any of these cities and you’re ready to finally get those new replacement windows just fill out the form right here. We will get back to you asap and we will NEVER share your information with anyone.

To see if we can help with your project just fill out this form and you’ll receive an email with the next steps and additional info right away.

 

 

 

Get your completely FREE project quote by email.  

The Best Window Company in Newport News – Window Universe!

If you’re looking for replacement windows in Newport News, VA the very best window company in Newport News and the surrounding area you’re in luck!  My company, Window Universe, is offering windows in the Newport News area and I’d be happy to personally help you with a window order.

We’re a little different than most companies in that we will email you our complete price list so you can see what everything will cost.  We’ll listen to what you’re trying to accomplish and make a suggestion that will accomplish your goals.

Replacement windows Newport News, VA

In the Newport News area we’re currently offering 7 models of windows with over 100 energy efficient options. We have the solution to just about every window problem which is why I’m confident we’re the best window company in Newport News.

Best of all we’re doing it with no pushy in-home salespeople!

If you’d like to get a simple and easy quote for your project the process is pretty easy.  You can either complete the form at the end of this post and we’ll be in touch with more info.

If you’d like more info you can check out our website at WindowUniverseNewportNews.com for more info about what we’re up to.

How does this work?

Good question.  We’ve tried to design the absolute easiest way to get new windows.  Here’s how it works:

  1. You fill out the form on this page to request a quote
  2. We’ll send you a detailed and itemized quote for your window project
  3. You can ask any questions and we can make any revisions as necessary
  4. When we have the order the way you want it we have the windows custom measured, manufactured and expertly installed.

It’s so easy you won’t believe people still order windows the old fashioned way.

You can even order custom windows without installation to install yourself.

I want to see how this works!

Great, we want to hear from you.  Fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch with more info about the products and services that we offer in Newport News.  You’re not going to believe how easy this is.


Itemized Price List Request Form 

Not in Newport News?  We can still help.  Find our directly of the very best window companies all over the country right here.

The Best Window Company in Louisville – Window Universe!

If you’re looking for the very best window company in Louisville and the surrounding area you’re in luck!  My company, Window Universe, is offering windows in the Louisville area and I’d be happy to personally help you with a window order.

We’re a little different than most companies in that we will email you our complete price list so you can see what everything will cost.  We’ll listen to what you’re trying to accomplish and make a suggestion that will accomplish your goals.

Replacement windows in Louisville from Window Universe.

In the Louisville area we’re currently offering 10 models of windows with over 100 energy efficient options. We have the solution to just about every window problem which is why I’m confident we’re the best window company in Louisville.

Best of all we’re doing it with no pushy in-home salespeople!

If you’d like to get a simple and easy quote for your project the process is pretty easy.  You can either complete the form at the end of this post and we’ll be in touch with more info.

If you’d like more info you can check out our website at WindowUniverseLouisville.com for more info about what we’re up to.

How does this work?

Good question.  We’ve tried to design the absolute easiest way to get new windows.  Here’s how it works:

  1. You fill out the form on this page to request a quote
  2. We’ll send you a detailed and itemized quote for your window project
  3. You can ask any questions and we can make any revisions as necessary
  4. When we have the order the way you want it we have the windows custom measured, manufactured and expertly installed.

It’s so easy you won’t believe people still order windows the old fashioned way.

You can even order custom windows without installation to install yourself.

I want to see how this works!

Great, we want to hear from you.  Fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch with more info about the products and services that we offer in Louisville.  You’re not going to believe how easy this is.


Itemized Price List Request Form


Not in Louisville, don’t worry.  We have listings of the best local window companies all over the country right here.

The Best Window Company in Detroit – Window Universe!

If you’re looking for the very best replacement windows in Detroit MI you’re in luck!  My company, Window Universe, is offering windows in the Detroit area and I’d be happy to personally help you with a window order.

We’re a little different than most companies in that we will email you our complete price list so you can see what everything will cost.  We’ll listen to what you’re trying to accomplish and make a suggestion that will accomplish your goals.

Replacement windows Detroit MI

In the Detroit area we’re currently offering 7 models of windows with over 100 energy efficient options. We have the solution to just about every window problem which is why I’m confident we’re the best window company in Detroit.

Best of all we’re doing it with no pushy in-home salespeople!

If you’d like to get a simple and easy quote for your project the process is pretty easy.  You can either complete the form at the end of this post and we’ll be in touch with more info.

If you’d like more info you can check out our website at WindowUniverseDetroit.com for more info about what we’re up to.

How does this work?

Good question.  We’ve tried to design the absolute easiest way to get new windows.  Here’s how it works:

  1. You fill out the form on this page to request a quote
  2. We’ll send you a detailed and itemized quote for your window project
  3. You can ask any questions and we can make any revisions as necessary
  4. When we have the order the way you want it we have the windows custom measured, manufactured and expertly installed.

It’s so easy you won’t believe people still order windows the old fashioned way.

You can even order custom windows without installation to install yourself.

I want to see how this works!

Great, we want to hear from you.  Fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch with more info about the products and services that we offer in Detroit.  You’re not going to believe how easy this is.


Itemized Price List Request Form

Not in Detroit?  Find our listing of the best window companies all over the country here.

The Best Window Company in Connecticut – Window Universe!

If you’re looking for the very best replacement windows in Hartford CT you’re in luck!  My company, Window Universe, is offering windows in all of Connecticut I’d be happy to personally help you with a window order.

We’re a little different than most companies in that we will email you our complete price list so you can see what everything will cost.  We’ll listen to what you’re trying to accomplish and make a suggestion that will accomplish your goals.

Replacement windows Hartford CT

In Connecticut we’re currently offering 7 models of windows with over 100 energy efficient options. We have the solution to just about every window problem which is why I’m confident we’re the best window company in Connecticut.

Best of all we’re doing it with no pushy in-home salespeople!

If you’d like to get a simple and easy quote for your project the process is pretty easy.  You can either complete the form at the end of this post and we’ll be in touch with more info.

If you’d like more info you can check out our website at WindowUniverseCT.com for more info about what we’re up to.

How does this work?

Good question.  We’ve tried to design the absolute easiest way to get new windows.  Here’s how it works:

  1. You fill out the form on this page to request a quote
  2. We’ll send you a detailed and itemized quote for your window project
  3. You can ask any questions and we can make any revisions as necessary
  4. When we have the order the way you want it we have the windows custom measured, manufactured and expertly installed.

It’s so easy you won’t believe people still order windows the old fashioned way.

You can even order custom windows without installation to install yourself.

I want to get a free price list and window quote by email!

Great, we want to hear from you.  Fill out the form here and we’ll be in touch with more info about the products and services that we offer in Connecticut.  You’re not going to believe how easy this is.


Itemized Price List Request Form

Not in Connecticut?  Find our listing of the best window companies all over the country.

The Best Window Company in Boise – Window Universe!

If you’re looking for replacement windows in Boise, ID the very best window company in Boise and the surrounding area is right here!  My company, Window Universe, is offering windows in the Boise area and I’d be happy to personally help you with a window order.

We’re a little different than most companies in that we will email you our complete price list so you can see what everything will cost.  We’ll listen to what you’re trying to accomplish and make a suggestion that will accomplish your goals.

Here’s a video that explains the process:

In the Boise area we’re currently offering 7 models of windows with over 100 energy efficient options. We have the solution to just about every window problem which is why I’m confident we’re the best window company in Boise.

Best of all we’re doing it with no pushy in-home salespeople!

If you’d like to get a simple and easy quote for your project the process is pretty easy.  You can either complete the form at the end of this post and we’ll be in touch with more info.

If you’d like more info you can check out our website at WindowUniverseBoise.com for more info about what we’re up to.

How does this work?

Good question.  We’ve tried to design the absolute easiest way to get new windows.  Here’s how it works:

  1. You fill out the form on this page to request a quote by email
  2. We’ll send you a detailed and itemized quote for your window project
  3. You can ask any questions and we can make any revisions as necessary
  4. When we have the order the way you want it we have the windows custom measured, manufactured and expertly installed.

It’s so easy you won’t believe people still order windows the old fashioned way.

You can even order custom windows without installation to install yourself.

Step 1: We’ll email you the window pricing

No spam, no phone calls, no hassles.


Itemized Price List Request Form

Want more info? Find our website here.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy DIY Windows at a Box Store

Replacement Window Shopping Mistake #12 – Buying windows at a box store to install yourself

So you’re sick of all of these pushy window salesman and you’re just going to install the windows yourself?  That’s a perfectly reasonable game plan.  Frankly, it’s not that hard if you’re pretty handy and comfortable making large holes in your house.

Contrary to what many window salespeople will tell you, installing windows yourself does NOT void warranties.  To all the salespeople who will comment about how wrong I am, go read the warranty and show me where it says that.  It doesn’t.

So you certainly can install windows yourself.  That’s fine, but you certainly should NOT buy them from a box store.  The windows they sell tend to be the absolute cheapest models out there and I don’t mean cheap in a good way.

You have 2 options when buying windows at a box store, stock sizes off the shelf or custom windows.  They’re both bad choices.

How can that be?  Why wouldn’t the large warehouse store carry nice models? You’re right that it’s not intuitive.  It makes sense that you could get a perfectly nice product at those big stores.  Unfortunately you typically can’t.

The reason has to do with the distribution models used by most manufacturers and the old timey sales tactics used by most dealers.  Here’s the quick breakdown:

Most high quality windows are sold by pushy old fashioned window dealers all over the country.  Those dealers are trying to charge people $800-$1000 or more per window.  To get that price the window product typically needs to be pretty nice.

These pushy dealers collectively make up a pretty large segment of the market for these nice windows.  The manufacturers who make those windows and sell them to those dealers don’t want to jeopardize that business.

If those manufacturers sold their products in Home Depot or Lowes they would need to offer them at much more realistic price.  If Product A was listed at Home Depot for $250 per window it would be hard for Dealer X to sell it for $1000.

In order to avoid losing their high priced dealer business the manufacturers of these products don’t sell to box stores.  The companies who do sell to the box stores are very large manufactures who typically cater to the new construction market. In that end of the market the focus is on price and not quality.

Those manufacturers of cheap windows have nothing to lose if their products are on the shelf at the box store.  Their tycpial customer is a big builder.  He wants it cheap and he’s not shopping at Lowes anyway.

So the only products you tend to see available are the cheapest options out there.  That means they’ll use cheaper hardware, come with more limited warranties, get significantly worse efficiency ratings, have very high (bad) air infiltration rates, etc.  You can save money buying these windows, but you’re stuck with pretty low quality windows.  That might not be what you want.

So how should I get nice windows to install myself?

Great question.  If you call around you can probably find a window dealer who carries certain products who will sell them to you without installation. It used to be that nobody would do that, but we’re seeing it more and more now.

They may give you that old line about voiding the warranty.  I wouldn’t suggest arguing with them.  You probably won’t win.  I’d just move on to the next one. You may need to call several to get someone reasonable.

For example, my company starting offering windows without installation several years ago and it’s become a pretty decent part of our business. For a listing of the areas we cover you can see this page. If we’re not in your area post a comment here and I’ll be happy to recommend someone if I can.

The windows we offer are going to be a little more expensive than what you’d get a a box store.  They’re also going to be a fair bit nicer.  Whether that works for you or not is completely up to you.

For example, I just had a customer email me today to let me know that he could get American Craftsman windows from Home Depot for less than our quote.  That’s absolutely true. It’s also true that after sales tax the price was only about $500 different for the entire order and the model I was suggesting was head and shoulders nicer.

Sometimes cheap windows are what you need and that’s completely fine. If you’re putting windows in your shed or a low end rental those cheep brands will work fine.  If you’re looking for nicer windows you can find them out there for a DIY application and you’ll be glad you did.

For more info on installing your own windows check out this section.  Or, you can find our listings of the very best local window companies here.  Some will probably offer windows without installation and some may not.  This would be a good place to start.

Should You Replace All the Windows in Your House at Once?

I was recently talking to a very friendly and capable reporter for a window industry trade magazine (yes that’s a thing) about partial projects.  That’s the term for projects that include some, but not all of the windows in the house.  The conversation got me thinking that this is a topic our readers are probably interested in.

It happens pretty frequently that people will want to only replace a handful of windows that have a specific issue and leave the rest for later.  Is this the best strategy?  As with most philosophical questions, the answer is “it depends”.

Replace some of your windows now and some later
Mismatched windows can be a style choice for some. Ha!

Before we get into the meat of this topic I’ll suggest that if you’re considering a partial project because of the cost you may want to make sure you’re talking to the type of company that offers fair and reasonable pricing.

We frequently hear from folks who think they can only afford 5 windows due to an astronomical quote they received from an old fashioned high-pressure company.  Companies like ours will offer much more reasonable prices so the customer who thought they could only afford a handful of windows might be able to afford the whole house.

When should you only replace some of your windows?

Folks typically want to do this when they have an acute problem with some of their windows.  Maybe they have seal failures causing foggy or cloudy glass or windows that don’t operate properly.  Sometimes folks do this because one room or area of the house gets very cold in the winter or hot in the summer.

This can be a great strategy, but you’ll want to consider the risks.

What could go wrong when replacing only some of your windows?

First, you’ll want to understand the costs of your project and how the cost will vary based on the size of the project.

For example, in most of our stores you get the best labor pricing when you order at least 5 windows.  The windows cost what they cost, but the labor costs more on a small project.  The per window price is then the same for projects between 5 and 200 windows.  That means if you replace all of the windows except one and then you decide to do the one remaining window later it’ll cost a little more.

In fact, just today I got a text from one of our field reps who was working with a customer for whom we had just completed a $15,000 project.  That customer wanted to replace two more windows and he was upset that they would cost more.

The answer is that’s just how it works.  Replacing one or two windows just costs more on a per window basis than replacing 20 windows.  I’m never happy to have a customer who is not feeling great, but we need to pay the installers for their work or they won’t stick around.  If we want great quality results we pay for great quality team members and that costs a couple bucks.

If this customer had split up the projects into groups of 5 or more he would have been a happier camper.  I asked our rep why he didn’t suggest that and it turns out the customer was planning on closing up those windows and has since changed his mind.  It sounds like a situation where there wasn’t much we could have done and ultimately the last 2 windows are going to cost a little more.  Sometimes that’s just life, but if you’re thinking about a partial project this is something to consider.

Will you be happy if the windows look different?

Another factor to consider when replacing some of your windows is that they’ll look, operate, and feel different than your old windows.  You’ll have some that are new and pretty and efficient and some that are not.

That might bug me as I like things to match and feel the same.  You might not care about that, but you want to be aware of it.

partial window project
Here’s an unusual look. If I had been working with this customer I would have suggested replacing both sides of this window.

It’s also possible that the window manufacturer makes a change to the model so your plan of buying some windows now and some later will result in them being similar, but not quite the same.  This is not a big deal to a lot of people, but you’ll want to consider how you’ll feel about it before making that choice.

What about the hassle factor?

It’s also important to remember that any home improvement project can contain a little bit of hassle.  I know in our company we try to make the process as simple as possible, but we’re going to need to make at least two trips to your house (one to measure and one to install).  There may even be a service call needed.  That’s 2-3 visits to your house.

If you replace all the windows at the same time you’ll then be done. If you split up the project into two phases you’ll be looking at 4-6 visits.  That’s not the end of the world, but those are days that you could spend doing something a little more fun (edit: don’t get me wrong, windows are pretty fun!)

So what should I do if I’m considering a partial window project?

First, check with the company to see what the pricing will look like if you do part of the project now and part later vs doing it all now.  A company probably can’t guarantee what the pricing will look like in a year or two, but they can give you an idea.

Next, consider how you’ll feel if there was a style change and the windows can’t match exactly.  You can also ask the company if they’re aware of any upcoming change or if there have been any recent changes.

Then, look at financing options.  Many companies offer 0% financing that might make the project a little more affordable than you imagined.

So what’s the bottom line?

Ultimately only you can decide if replacing some of your windows is better than replacing all of your windows.  I know many of our customers decide on partial projects for a variety of reasons and ultimately it makes no difference to us.  If you’d prefer to do some windows now and some later we’d love to have that business.  I just want to make sure that you know the pros and cons so you can make the best decision for you.

If you’re looking for more info on replacement windows you can check out our list of common window sales tactics here and you can find our detailed replacement window reviews here.

If you have any questions or comments about this article post a comment below and I’ll do my best to get back with you.  Have fun out there!

How to Repair Foggy Windows – It’s pretty easy!

One of the most common calls we get in the office is from folks looking to repair foggy windows.  I think we’ve all seen what this looks like, but just in case, here’s a picture of the window dog himself  trying to look for intruders through a foggy double pane window.  It’s not easy to see the bad guys coming!

fix a window seal failure
The little fella works so hard to keep us safe. The least we can do is provide him with a clear view!

This happens when the seal fails allowing outside air into the glass unit.  That air brings moisture with it and instantly you’ll see condensation or a film on the glass.  This is ugly and it’ll never go away by itself.

Luckily for you we’ve made a quick video demonstrating how we fixed this problem.  Enjoy!

It is important to note that even after your window is repaired it’s still an old window.  You may find that replacing the window doesn’t cost much more than the repair and in that scenario you’d get a whole new window.

In this case, this is a wood 3-lite casement window with a clad exterior.  The cost to replace this window would likely be over $2,000 so a repair makes sense and the results were fantastic.

fixed glass in replacement window
Now thats better. Frisco has a much better view and those pesky deer don’t stand a chance!

Now we’re still having some trouble with this window.  The old cranks are a little shaky and it just doesn’t operate as well as a shiny new window would.  It’ll probably get replaced sooner or later, but this repair will give it several more years of life and the whole room looks much better.

If you’re thinking about repairing your existing windows it certainly is possible although not always as easy as it looks.  Replacing a sealed insulated glass unit in a vinyl replacement window can be tricky because the vinyl trim pieces can be brittle and if they break you may have a very hard time finding a replacement.  We’ll have another video coming out soon on repairing or replacing glass in a vinyl replacement window.

Why am I having a hard time finding a company to do this?

Because it’s a bit of a hassle for the amount of money folks will pay.  A professional may have a tool to measure the glass without removing it, but still you’re talking about 2 trips to the house, a few hours of work and taking the risk that something breaks or some unexpected problem arises.  Factor in the driving time, the ordering, picking up the glass and this quickly turns to a project that requires many hours of work.

If you’re looking to pay $50 for someone to do this you’re going to have a real hard time.  It’ll probably cost several hundred dollars to hire a professional, but if you’re comfortable tackling it yourself you could get it done for much less.

 

My Windows Won’t Stay Up – Easy Fix

This is a first in our series of posts on trouble shooting your windows.  We hear from people all the time asking how to address a window problem.  You’ll likely find that many common replacement window problems can be fixed pretty easily.  Here we’re looking at what to do if your windows won’t stay up.

The first step is to take a look at the window itself to see if you can tell what’s going on.  In all double hung replacement windows there are balances in the sides of the frame that support the sash and hold it up when you open it so it doesn’t fall.

We’ve made a quick video that may help to diagnose your problem.

There are only 2 likely scenarios if your windows won’t stay up:

The first one is that one or both of the balances are not connected to the sash.  This would mean that the balances are there and they may be working fine, but they’ve become disconnected from the sash so they are not helping to keep the window open.  In the video above we show you how to address that, it’s typically an easy fix.

The second scenario is that one or both of the balances are connected to the sash, but they are not working properly.  In this case you’ll probably need to replace the failed component.

To do this you’ll need to identify which part has failed.  There are 3 parts that might need to be replaced.

The pivot bar is a small metal bar that is attached to the bottom of the sash.  This bar sticks out of the sash and connects to the balance shoe inside the frame.  If your pivot bar is broken, twisted, or otherwise not engaging with the shoe you should remove it and take it to a local window distributor to see if they have a similar part.

if your windows won't stay open the pivot bar could be the problem.
Here’s a broken pivot bar. Most of this bar is inside the bottom of the sash of the window, the end of it should be visible.

If your pivot bars look good, check the shoes.  The shoes are small plastic or metal blocks that are inside the frame.  They connect the balance in the frame to the pivot bar in the sash.  It is possible that the shoe could be cracked, stuck or otherwise defective causing improper operation.  I you can remove the shoe try taking it to a local distributor to see if they have anything similar.

This is a balance shoe. If your windows won't stay up this might be broken.
This is a balance shoe. You’ll find a part similar to this inside the frames of your double hung windows.

If the pivot bars are looking good and the shoes appear to be in fine shape then your balances themselves must be defective.  There are 3 types of balances, spiral, constant force or coil, and block and tackle.  Be careful when removing the balances as they may be under tension and they could snap out when released.  Balances can typically be removed with just one or two screws.

Once you have the components taken apart it will likely be pretty easy to see what is not working.  If your windows are older or if you don’t know who manufactured them you may have a hard time finding compatible parts.  Many window companies use very similar parts so it’s possible that another company will have something that will work for you, but you may need to try several distributors or manufacturers to find a part that will work.

Unfortunately if you can’t find the right part you might be out of luck and replacing the window may be the only option.  Hopefully this info helps to solve your problem.

Other posts you might find helpful:

Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help!