ServicesWindow Replacement
Window Replacement in Federal Way
We take out old, failing windows and put in new ones that seal, lock and open the way they should. Our crew works with dust control, careful glass handling and a marked work zone, so your home stays safe while we're there. Most installs finished in a single day.
When replacement is the right call
Some windows can be fixed. A stuck sash, a torn screen or a worn latch usually needs window repair, not a new unit. We'll tell you that straight. Replacement makes sense when the frame is rotting, the glass seals have failed on several windows, or you have old single-pane aluminum units that sweat and drip all winter.
A lot of homes around Federal Way still have original windows from the 1960s through the 1980s. That age matters for safety. Paint on older trim can contain lead, so we treat older homes with containment and cleanup that keep dust out of the rooms you live in.
We measure each opening, order windows built to those numbers, and install them tight against rain and drafts. You end up with windows that open easily, lock properly and stop dripping on the sill.
What the job includes
- Measuring every opening
- We measure each opening ourselves at the top, middle and bottom, and check it for square. Windows are ordered to those numbers, not a guess.
- Dust and debris control
- Before we pry anything loose, we lay drop cloths and cover furniture near the window. In older homes we mist and contain paint dust, then clean with a HEPA vacuum at the end.
- Careful glass handling
- Old glass comes out whole when we can manage it and goes straight to the truck. We keep a marked work zone so kids and pets stay clear of open frames and tools.
- Safety glass and bedroom exits
- Windows near doors, tubs and stairs need tempered glass. Bedroom windows have to open wide enough to climb out of in a fire. We check both before anything is ordered.
- Flashing, foam and sealing
- We flash the opening so water sheds out, fill gaps with low-expansion foam and seal the outside. That's what keeps a new window from leaking in the first hard rain.
- Haul-away and cleanup
- Old windows, trim scraps and packaging leave with us. We vacuum and wipe down sills before we call it done.
Signs it's time for new windows
Fog between the panes
A cloudy film you can't wipe off means the seal between the panes has failed. Once it starts, it doesn't clear up.
Soft or rotting frames
Press a screwdriver into the bottom of a wood frame. If it sinks in, water has been getting in for a while, and rot can spread into the wall framing.
Water on the sill every morning
A little condensation on cold days is normal. Puddles, black spots in the corners or peeling paint under the window mean the glass is too cold or the window is leaking.
Windows that stick or won't lock
A window that won't open is a problem in a fire. One that won't lock is a problem every night. If repair can't fix it, replacement is the safe answer.
Drafts and cracked glass
If you feel air moving with the window shut, or the glass is cracked, that window isn't protecting your home anymore.
What affects the price
Every quote is built from your actual windows, so we don't guess at a number over the phone. These are the things that move the price most. We also offer flexible payment options if that helps you plan the work.
Number and size of windows
More windows and larger openings mean more material and more hours. Big picture windows also take extra hands to set safely.
Style and frame material
Sliders, casements, double-hungs and fixed windows are priced differently. Vinyl, fiberglass and wood frames each carry their own cost.
Insert or full-frame
If the old frame is solid, an insert fits inside it with less disruption. If the frame is rotten, we take it down to the rough opening, which means more labor and new trim.
What we find underneath
Rot in the sill or framing has to be fixed before a new window goes in. We show you photos and give you the cost before we do that work.
Access and lead-safe setup
Second-story windows, tight spots and older painted trim that needs lead-safe handling all add setup time.
How install day goes
- 1
Free quote at your home
We look at each window, measure and talk through your options. You get a written quote, and there's no pressure to sign that day.
- 2
Ordering and scheduling
Your windows are built to size after we measure. When they arrive, we set a date that works for you and tell you which rooms we'll be in.
- 3
Setting up a safe work area
We cover floors and furniture, move what needs moving with your OK, and mark off the work zone. We ask that kids and pets stay in another room while we work.
- 4
One window at a time
We remove and replace one window at a time, so your home is never left wide open. Each new unit is set, leveled, flashed, insulated and sealed before we move to the next.
- 5
Walkthrough and cleanup
After cleanup we walk you through every window. You open and lock each one yourself before we leave.
Window replacement questions
Do I need to leave the house during the install?
No. Most people stay home. We work one room at a time and keep that area closed off. If you have small kids or a nervous pet, it helps to keep them in a room away from where we're working.
My house is older. What about lead paint?
Homes built before 1978 may have lead in the paint on trim and sills. We treat that paint as if it contains lead. We contain the area, keep dust down and clean thoroughly when we finish. Dry scraping and sanding old paint is how dust spreads through a house, and we don't work that way.
Should I repair my windows or replace them?
If the problem is hardware, a balance or one cracked pane, window repair is usually the better buy. If frames are rotting or seals are failing on several windows, replacement holds up longer. We'll tell you which one based on what we see, not on what's bigger.
Do I need a permit for new windows?
Some jobs need one, depending on where you live and how much of the opening we change. If yours does, we pull the permit as part of the job and handle the inspection.
How long does the whole thing take?
Your windows are built after we measure, so there's a wait between the quote and install day. Once they're here, most installs finished in a single day. Large homes and full-frame jobs can run longer, and we'll tell you that up front.
What happens if it rains on install day?
We watch the forecast and only open as many windows as we can close up that day. If rain moves in mid-job, the opening gets covered and sealed before we stop.
Let's take a look at your windows
Give us a call and we'll set a time to come out, measure and go over your options. Free, no-pressure quotes, and nothing gets ordered until you say so.