Window Repair

Restore the window. Preserve the home.

Window repair and restoration for Bergen County's pre-war housing stock — wood double-hung sash, leaded glass, casement and bay window framing, weather seals, sash cords, frame and trim. Most original windows on a Ridgewood Tudor, Allendale Colonial, or Upper Saddle River estate are worth restoring rather than replacing — the joinery is often better than what's manufactured today.

Replacing a 1920s wood double-hung sash with a modern stock vinyl unit is one of the most architecturally damaging mistakes a homeowner can make on a pre-war home. The original sash profile, muntin pattern, and glazing detail rarely have a direct replacement — and the replacement is conspicuous from the curb. Restoration, by contrast, keeps the architecture intact while restoring the function.

Window repairs we handle

• Wood double-hung sash restoration. Re-glazing, weatherstripping, sash-cord and weight replacement, paint and varnish refinishing on pre-war wood sash.
• Leaded-glass repair. Re-leading damaged panels, replacing cracked or broken glass within the lead matrix, re-glazing transoms and sidelights on Tudor entries.
• Weather seal and gasket renewal. Replacing failed weatherstripping, glazing compound, and exterior caulking to restore the airtight seal.
• Frame and trim repair. Repairing rotted sill, jamb, head trim, or exterior casing — preserving original profile where possible, splice-replacing where rot has advanced.
• Operational hardware. Replacing broken sash chains, balances, locks, and lifts so the window operates as designed.
• Storm-damage repair. Emergency board-up plus permanent repair after wind, hail, tree-impact, or vandalism damage.

Our repair process

1. Diagnostic visit. We come to the property, evaluate each affected window, and identify whether restoration or replacement is the right call.
2. Written assessment. A clear scope of work with photographs, a repair recommendation, and a transparent price — typically within one to two business days.
3. Scheduled repair. Once authorized, we schedule the work and complete it with appropriate technique, original-spec hardware where possible, and full landscaping protection.
4. Final walkthrough. We confirm each window operates correctly, verify the seal, and document the finished work.

When repair beats replacement

On Bergen County's pre-war housing stock — Ridgewood Tudors, Ho-Ho-Kus Colonials, Allendale Capes — the original wood double-hung sash is almost always worth restoring. The original joinery quality is frequently better than modern stock equivalents, the architectural language is preserved, and the restoration cost is typically lower than full window replacement. We document the trade-off and let the homeowner make the call.