When your windows are showing signs of wear or damage, it’s time to explore options for updating them. Some damage is fixable, and simple repairs will bring your windows back up to code. Other times, window replacement is necessary. But how do you know the difference? Cincinnati’s experts at Sterling Exteriors will help determine when repairs are in order and when window replacement is the only option.

When it comes to repairs, if you have older windows in your home and you are looking to make them more energy efficient, caulking and weather stripping will help. Remove any old caulk first and be sure to caulk both inside and outside to reduce any drafts. To remove air leaks around sashes, go for weather stripping. Also, adding storm and screen windows will add insulation and is much more cost effective than new windows. If windows are painted shut, you can easily open them by sliding a saw along the seam of the paint and the window edge.

Be sure to check your windows and sashes for decay, rot, and broken parts. A professional contractor may be able to repair some of this damage to salvage your current windows, but if the rot has become too much, you will need sash and window replacement — especially if water is getting in and condensation is accumulating. Once rot and decay set in and water damage is evident, it’s probably not worth saving those windows and sashes.

Another example of window replacement being the better option is in older homes where lead paint was used. Opening and closing older single-pane windows can release lead dust. Call your contractor to remedy the issue of any lead risk by safely replacing any older, lead-based elements. A good contractor will know how to remove the lead risk without releasing anymore dust into your home. If the windows are older but safe from lead paint, you can make them more energy efficient by checking with professionals on how to preserve and update older decorative windows without having to remove them.

Serving Cincinnati for more than 15 years, Sterling Exteriors is a full-service, locally owned contracting company specializing in window replacement, siding, and roofing at affordable rates for both residential and commercial customers. For your next replacement, installation, or repair, visit their website for a full list of services or give them a call at (513) 685-8055. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.