Window in Frames vs. Window Sash Replacements

There is a white-lie being perpetrated within the window replacement industry.   Some contractors have figured out a way to use the govt. tax credit for energy efficiency against the homeowner.  If the homeowner says they need new windows, the contractor will say they need to buy new “window in frames.”  The contractor admits that the government will give the homeowner a tax credit (which is true) if they buy the window in frame, but they fail to give the homeowner another much more economical option, which are window sash replacements.

Let’s first define the difference between a sash and a “window in frame”.  The sash is simply the part of the window that the glass is encased in.  In a double hung window, 2 sashes operate on a verticle “balance” to move up and down, and they are what the grids (boxes) are attached to.  The frame is the encasement that the sash and balance are both enclosed in/attached to.  The interior and exterior trim are nailed to the window frame, and thereby cover it up, so most homeowners dont know its there.  That is why its easy for a contractor to suggest that the homeowner has to buy a whole new “window in frame”when the frame itself might be totally fine.  Of course, sometimes a new frame is required; but generally speaking that occurs only if it has started to rot, warp, or there is no new sash that can fit in the frame, which is very uncommon.  

The reason that sashes are usually the best solution is because they are normally the main culprit for the window problem.  Problems with old sashes include: single panes, wood rot, warping, sticking, loss of functionality in double hungs, broken glass.  And in the case of double paned sashes, the seal can break which lets moisture enter in between the two panes and causes cloudiness and lack of transparency.   So if the issue lies in a window sash and not the frame, why not just buy a new sash??

Lets talk material costs.  In keeping with the double hung as an example (the most common type of window in GA) a window in frame will cost almost double than buying just sashes; the reason being you’re not only buying the 2 sashes, but you’re also buying the frame with the exterior trim attached.  Not only that, but the installer will have to to buy new interior trim to replace the old that had to be removed to get out the old frame;  thus more material cost; which brings us to labor costs...

The labor involved in taking out an old frame and installing a new one is quite extensive.  For starters, the installer has to work on both the inside AND outside of the window.  Working on the inside is normally much easier because the window is a workable level without the use of any ladders.  Whereas, on the outside, half of the windows can be out of reach and ladders will have to be used, thus contributing more time and effort and driving up labor costs.  Not only that, the exterior and interior trim has to be carefully taken off of the walls, which is a delicate process because the siding or drywall can be easily damaged.  Once the trim is off its really not much a big deal to pull out the frame.  But once the new window gets installed, new trim has to be put back into place.  The exterior trim is normally pre-cut and installed on the window already, although sometimes the new window doesnt fit all that well in the new opening and the installer will have to do some additional labor to make it fit (more cost).  The interior is not pre cut, and there are between 12-16 cuts that need to be made for the trim and window stool, thus more labor costs.  

But it keeps going!  Wouldn’t you think the homeowner wants their new trim to be painted to match everything else?  And of course the caulking has to be redone as well.  Also, sometimes wall damage happens (through no fault of the installer) its just a very tender operation to pull off old trim from a wall and not have drywall damage; so that will have to be fixed too.... 

This is why the costs for new ‘windows in frames” are so much more!  Now lets take a look at our costs for sash replacements.  Basically, if the frame can stay then all of the labor and material we just discussed is out the window :-)  The labor involved to replacing a sash is reduced to merely taking out the 3 very small trim pieces called window stop, and pulling out the old balance and sashes, and then installing the new ones, as well as the window stop  Sometimes the window stop can be re-used, so the material costs are only in the sashes and balances; and all of this happens inside the house.  You can see the the labor cost is pretty straight forward, and as  a business we’ve got a set price for a double hung window at $80 per window.  That price includes the removal and disposal of the old window sash and installation of the new one.  Generally speaking, the price for labor is going to be more than double that!

So even though there is a tax-credit for home improvements that increase the energy efficiency, it actually doesn’t apply to sash replacements.  But that DOES NOT mean that the effect is not the same -  IT IS.  As long as the frame is still in good shape, the energy efficiency quotient of a new sash vs. a new window in frame is the SAME.  

So don’t be fooled by the guys that tell you that you have to buy full windows.   Buy new sashes.  Your bank account will thank you.