Rant: My neighbor in the North Valley says you should always replace a whole window frame, but my buddy who does handyman work says just swap the sash.

Last week, I had a double hung window in my 1980s house that wouldn't stay up. My neighbor, who redid his whole place, came over and told me I had to pull the whole unit, replace the frame, and redo the flashing. He said it's the only right way to stop drafts and rot. That same day, my friend who fixes houses around Albuquerque looked at it and said the frame was fine, just get a new sash kit from the hardware store for about $150 and be done in an hour. I'm stuck. The neighbor's way feels more solid, but it's a huge job and probably costs over a grand. My friend's fix is cheap and fast, but what if he's wrong and I get water damage later? Has anyone here actually done just the sash swap and had it hold up for a few Albuquerque winters?

3 comments

3 Comments

sandra4122mo ago

Over a grand for one window? Honestly, that's insane.

garcia.casey3d ago

Yeah it's funny you bring this up because honestly this is everywhere if you look for it. There's always two types of people in any situation - the one who wants to rebuild the whole thing from scratch and the one who just wants to patch it up and move on. I've noticed it with cars, with furniture, even with relationships honestly. Some people think the only way to fix something right is to tear it down to nothing and start over. Other people just want to keep things going with the smallest fix possible. I mean neither one is always right or wrong, it really depends on the situation. But in your case with a 1980s window that has a good frame, idk man, I'd go with your buddy. If the wood isn't soft or rotted you're probably fine. Your neighbor sounds like he has more money than sense, and not everyone can drop a grand on one window for no reason.

nancy_garcia632mo ago

And here I am still using a stack of books to prop my window open. Real professional. If the frame isn't rotten, a sash kit is totally fine for our weather. Did that on my back bedroom three years ago. No drafts, no leaks. Your neighbor sounds like the type who'd rebuild the whole car because a tire was flat.