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?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandra41210d ago

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

nancy_garcia6310d 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.