Windows are essential components of any building envelope, so the damage they sustain will have a direct impact on the comfort and energy-efficiency of the building interior. Fortunately, damaged windows don’t need to be thrown out – they can be repaired. Essentially, there are two methods to accomplish window repair: you can either call a window repair technician or do it all by yourself. Here are some of the most important pros and cons of handling the repairs on your own.
The Pros of DIY Window Repair
Window damage can come in many forms, the most common ones being cracked or shattered panes, split or broken frames, gaps that appear between the frame and the wall or damage sustained by the mechanism that opens and closes the window. The repair of all these faults incurs costs, requires tools and knowledge – if you have them, here are the benefits that you will enjoy:
- Reduced costs – if you repair your own windows, you will not have to pay any repair fees, so a successful repair will add value to your home without requiring you to make an investment;
- Time spent pursuing your hobby – if you are a DIY enthusiast, repairing your own windows will give you the opportunity to enjoy your favorite pastime.
The Cons of DIY Window Repair
DIY window repair also has some downsides:
- Unsuccessful repairs can end up costing more – if your DIY window repair does not go as planned, you risk causing harm that cannot be fixed by professionals either, leaving you only one solution: costly and troublesome window replacement;
- DIY repairs might not be as durable as professional repairs – a Castle Rock windows repair contractor uses professional materials and specialized tools that allow for more durable repairs. Many DIYers use materials that are not as durable as professional materials, the outcome of DIY projects being less durable, too. This might mean that the fault that needed your attention will come back soon, requiring even more of your work and energy;
- The risk of injuries – many window repair tasks involve handling sharp objects and large panes of glass, all of which can cause cuts, scratches, bruises and other accidents. If you don’t know how to handle those tools and objects safely or if you don’t have suitable protective equipment, such as sturdy work gloves, you should not attempt any DIY window repair;
- Time-consuming research – window repairs require knowledge of the repair steps involved. If you don’t possess that knowledge, you will need to acquire it. Fortunately, there are lots of great resources available today – you can learn the right technique from books or from online video tutorials, but whichever source you choose, be prepared that the learning process will take some time;
- The failure to choose the most suitable materials – choosing the right materials for your repair project might lead to the appearance of further issues sooner or later. Replacing your frames with materials that are not adequate for your climate zone, for example, might cause the premature damage of the replacement frames.