Start With the Symptom
Most door and window problems have a simple cause. Before you replace anything, figure out what is actually wrong.
Doors
- Sticking or rubbing. Often a loose hinge, swollen wood, or a house that has settled slightly. Tightening, shimming, or planing usually fixes it.
- Won't latch. The strike plate is probably misaligned. That is a quick adjustment.
- Gaps or daylight at the edges. Replace the weatherstripping and threshold seal.
- Rotted bottom edge or frame. If the wood is soft, repair or replacement is needed to keep water and pests out.
Windows
- Hard to open. Dirty or damaged tracks and worn rollers are common and cheap to fix.
- Drafts. Fresh caulk and weatherstripping help a lot.
- Fogging between panes. The seal has failed. That usually means replacing the glass unit or the window.
- Cracked glass or a warped frame. Repair if it is small, replace if the frame is no longer square or sound.
When Replacement Makes Sense
Replace when repairs would cost nearly as much as new, when the frame is damaged, or when you want better energy performance. In a Fresno summer, windows that seal well make a real difference in cooling costs.
An Honest Opinion
Not every problem needs a new door or window, and we will tell you when a repair is the better value. Call for a free look.
