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Comment by yojo | Hacker News Reader

On windows: the seal between single pane windows never fails, because it does not exist. The original windows in my house have been working for 110 years. I put storm windows over them in the winter to get a little extra efficiency.

Some of the double panes added during the 90s remodel have busted seals and need to be replaced.

It’s a minimum $1500 to get a window replaced around here with a quality modern replacement. Assuming a generous 50 year life, that’s still $30/window/year for a replacement, plus the opportunity cost of not investing that money. Economically it almost certainly does not pencil out to replace the original windows.

There are quality of life benefits as you mention, but I can understand how someone who likes the aesthetics of old single-pane wood windows would choose not to replace them.

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I dunno the single pane windows on my 100 year old house also have seals around them that let water through. They really need to be fixed or replaced.

1500 is not much if you compare it with any tech device upgrade cycle.

Another difference between single and multi-pane is repairability.

The seal between the pane and the wood is usually glazing. If that’s failing, you need to replace it. You can buy glazing putty at a big box store, and see how to do it on YouTube. With a little practice, it’s about ten minutes/window. $15 in materials will do a dozen or so.

If it’s leaking between the wood, you need to caulk. That’s $3-$13 in materials/tools (depending on if you already have the gun) and a couple minutes labor.

You may also need some flashing over the top to direct the water away from the pane. This is slightly more complicated. Probably $30 and an hour or so.

If you don’t want to learn these skills, a handyman should be up to any of them.

Multi pane windows also need to be flashed and caulked, just like your single pane. The only piece that I mentioned that is different is the glazing. Glazing can be replaced, the interior seal on a multi-pane window cannot

For that matter, it's not hard to learn to cut entirely new panes for old-school windows, and the tools aren't particularly expensive. Break a modern window and you'll most likely be replacing the whole thing, frame, casing(!), and all—the entire old window becomes trash.

... however, I do prefer the modern ones, myself. Energy loss through single-pane windows is no joke.

> does not pencil out to replace the original windows

Depends on the cost of energy and the interior comfort level you want.

>It’s a minimum $1500 to get a window replaced around here with a quality modern replacement

FYI, you can usually replace just the double-paned glass insert in those for a small fraction of that cost.

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