Window & Door Care: Time To Repair Or Replace
JELD-WEN Experts Answer the Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. April 03, 2007 — Repair or replace? That is the question for many homeowners considering a window or door project.

The decision to repair existing fixtures or start fresh can often be difficult. The window and door experts at JELD-WEN come to the rescue with guidelines for evaluating energy efficiency, curb appeal, ease of operation, security and material choices.

“Windows and doors make that all-important first impression on guests, and for this and many other reasons should be in good working order,” said Rod Clark, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “When something goes wrong, it quickly becomes clear how important windows and doors are to energy conservation, security and aesthetics.”

Here is a helpful checklist from JELD-WEN that will help homeowners step back and assess their situations, then decide if a repair or replacement is the right choice.

How to Evaluate Windows for Repair or Replacement

1. Examine Wood Windows
If your wood window simply shows signs of wear and tear or exposure, such as cracked paint, but operates normally, then it’s likely time to refinish according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If your window shows signs of seal failure between the glass panes, severe warping due to moisture or wood decay, then it’s time to replace. Window replacement is one of the top three projects for improving a home’s curb appeal. JELD-WEN offers energy efficient sash replacement kits for existing wood windows with frames that are still in good shape. For complete replacements, investigate solutions like affordable Builders Clad-Wood Windows.

2. Determine Energy Efficiency
Classic signs of inefficient windows include condensation, drafts and warped frames due to infiltration of moisture. If energy efficiency is the top priority or water infiltration is an issue, the best choice is to replace poorly performing windows and patio doors with ENERGY STAR® qualified windows. 

JELD-WEN advises consumers to calculate energy savings over the life of the windows. When replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows, homeowners can save $125 to $340 a year, depending on the climate. One recent industry study estimated homeowners recoup an average of 83 to 85 percent of the cost of window replacements in resale value. The investment return and energy savings add up to a compelling reason for replacement.

Replacing old wood and aluminum windows has become much easier lately. Manufacturers like JELD-WEN offer ENERGY STAR qualified replacement windows in a variety of styles that slide into the wall and cover up the old window frames with minimal disruption to siding and stucco. To be sure replacement products are energy efficient, look for the ENERGY STAR label. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov.

3. Consider Security
First, define what security means for you. Are you referring to windows that lock and help prevent burglary? Or does security mean windows that help protect the structure from wind-borne debris during storms? Manufacturers offer solutions on both fronts. First, consider window locks that are ergonomic, sleek and can only be seen from the inside, like WEN-Lock TM from JELD-WEN. For storm protection, a new generation of laminated, impact-resistant glass is designed to stay intact even if struck by heavy debris. Products like JELD-WEN® ImpactGard TM technology help secure the structure from damaging pressure during a storm.

4. Select the Right Material
Vinyl is by far the most popular material for replacement windows, due to its easy installation, low-maintenance qualities and durability. Choose vinyl if your goals include affordable windows that are easy to clean and highly energy efficient. Choose wood replacement windows if your goal is to match types of wood throughout the home or coordinate painted interiors or exteriors. Wood windows offer a greater degree of customization, with the same energy efficiency capabilities.

How to Evaluate Doors for Repair or Replacement

1. Examine Doors and Frames
Start by closely inspecting all six sides of the door, the frame and how well they are attached. Does the door stick? If so, the frame could be out of alignment, or moisture might have entered the door and changed its shape. Moisture is a door’s worst enemy, causing swelling, cracking and warping over time.

For wood doors, make sure the door is adequately finished on all six sides. Check for signs of finish failure, an indication that restoration is needed. Dulling of the finish, a whitish cast on the door’s surface, raised grain or checking, dark streaks forming at the bottom of the door or panels, flaking top coat, extreme discoloration or fading of the wood are all signs that a door needs to be refinished. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions.

JELD-WEN experts say it’s important to remember that wood doors will adjust to their climate during the first year they are installed. During that time, changes and some degree of movement are normal. But for badly warped doors that have been in this condition for more than one year, consider a replacement door system that holds up against moisture, such as one made of fiberglass, steel or wood like JELD-WEN® AuraLast®, the worry free wood®, guaranteed to resist decay and termites for 20 years.

2. Determine Energy Efficiency
Front doors and patio doors are extremely important to overall energy efficiency. If exterior doors are drafty at the sides or top, but otherwise satisfactory, a simple weatherstrip replacement may suffice.

If your goal is to minimize energy costs and install the most efficient door possible, shop for replacement door systems that are ENERGY STAR qualified and feature cores designed for energy efficiency, like JELD-WEN® Premium Fiberglass or Custom Fiberglass exterior doors.

3. Consider Security
As with windows, start by evaluating the lockset. Make sure it’s easy to use and offers sufficiently strong protection against break-ins. Other low-cost security measures for exterior doors might include installing a kick plate and adequate lighting. Storms are also a threat to the home’s security. The most secure replacement doors will come with impact and design pressure (DP) ratings, indicating how well the door will stand up to a storm.

4. Select the Right Material
Recent developments in manufacturing technology have expanded the range of materials used for exterior doors. Increasingly popular, fiberglass doors can now achieve the look and feel of wood to a remarkable degree, yet are more durable than steel. Fiberglass is also a good choice for doors that must stand up to extremely sunny, dry or wet conditions. With new types of engineered wood and better warranties, wood is practical as well as popular in many parts of the country, especially for remodelers who want to upgrade the curb appeal of a home with a custom wood entry door. If you select a wood door, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for the proper overhang and maintenance requirements. Steel remains widely available and affordable.