Window Repair in Rochester, NY
Old windows can often be repaired. Our handyman frees stuck sashes, seals drafts and fixes loose trim in Rochester homes and rentals. If the glass seal has failed or the frame has rotted, we tell you who to call. Ask us about windows and doors in the same visit.
- Sashes, trim and weatherstripping
- Honest about glass and rot
- Written quote first
Window problems we fix
Sash will not slide
Swollen wood or old paint holds it in place.
Painted shut
Paint glues the sash to the stop.
Draft at the sash
Weatherstripping is worn or missing.
Rattling window
The sash fits loosely in the frame.
Loose or cracked trim
Casing and stops that have pulled away.
Sill with soft spots
Water has started to damage the wood.
Why windows stick and leak air
| What you see | Likely cause | What we do | Call someone else when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window will not slide | Swollen sash or old paint | Free the sash and fix the trim | The glass seal failed |
| Cold draft | Worn weatherstripping | Add or replace weatherstripping | The frame is rotted |
| Fog between the panes | The sealed glass unit failed | We cannot fix it | Call a window company |
| Soft, dark wood on the sill | Water has rotted the wood | Repair small spots | Rot has spread into the frame |
Moisture is the main cause of decay in wood windows, according to the National Park Service in its Preservation Brief on wood windows. The same brief says old windows are often worth keeping, and that weatherstripping belongs in a repair. Energy.gov says to apply it between the sash and the frame without stopping the window from working. Rochester has frequent thaws and about 102 inches of snow a year, so water gets many chances to reach the sill.
How a window repair visit works
- Tell usDescribe the problem. Tell us if the house was built before 1978.
- CheckWe look at the sash, stops, trim, sill and glass.
- FixWe free, adjust, seal or replace the parts that cause it.
- FinishWe clean up and show you how the window works now.
Permits and lead paint
The City of Rochester lists replacement of windows of the same size and location as not needing a permit. Homes in a Preservation District or on the landmark list need zoning approval first. Call the Bureau of Zoning and Permitting at 585.428.6526 to check.
For lead, the EPA guide says the rule applies to window replacement and to work that disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint in homes built before 1978. We tell you before we touch painted windows in an older home.
Window repair questions
Can old wood windows be repaired?
In many cases, yes. The National Park Service says old windows may be worth keeping, and that repair should include weatherstripping.
How do you fix a window that is painted shut?
We cut the paint seal, free the sash and fix the stops so it moves again.
Why is my window drafty?
Weatherstripping wears out, and the sash can fit loosely in the frame. New weatherstripping often fixes it.
Do you replace broken glass?
Ask us about a cracked pane in a wood sash. A failed seal between double panes needs a window company to replace the glass unit.
Do I need a permit to replace a window?
The City of Rochester lists same size replacement as not needing one. Preservation Districts and landmarks need zoning approval first.
Related services
Request a visit
Call 585.555.0142 and tell us about the job. We answer every call.
100 Sample Street, Rochester, NY 14604 | Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM