Just realized I'm the only one on my block not replacing my old windows

I was at the hardware store over on Lorain Avenue last Saturday and the guy at the counter said he'd sold over 30 window kits that month. Everyone seems to think you have to get those new vinyl ones right away. But my house in Ohio City still has its original 1950s wood windows. I spent about $500 on proper weatherstripping and a good paint job three years ago, and they're still solid. I think people rush to replace when a careful fix can work just as well for a lot less money. Has anyone else kept their old windows going strong?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_anthony26d agoMost Upvoted

Honestly, have you checked your heating bills lately? My old windows were a total money pit even after I tried fixing them up. The drafts came right back after a couple winters and the cold just seeped in. I finally got new ones last year and my place actually stays warm now. It's not just about being trendy, it's about not wasting a ton of cash every month.

hannah_perry26d ago

Oh man, that reminds me of my friend's place last winter. She was using those plastic shrink kits on her windows every year like a ritual. One night it got so cold her cat was sleeping on the heat vent. She finally caved and got new windows like @the_anthony said, and now her heating bill is almost half what it was. She said she can actually sit by the window without wearing a blanket now.

danielw1226d ago

Something people forget is the lead paint and dust from ripping out old windows. That stuff gets everywhere if the crew isn't careful. My neighbor's kid had high lead levels after their window job, and the cleanup cost more than the windows. Sometimes the fix is safer.