Window Replacement in Vancouver, WA

The median home in Vancouver was built in 1988, Census data shows. That date tells you a lot about the windows in it. Houses from that period were among the first built with vinyl windows, and the sealed glass units in those early frames tend to give out with age, leaving fogged panes and cold spots by the glass. Builders Service Company replaces them with Preservation 9000 vinyl windows, custom ordered for each opening, starting with a free in-home consultation.

Windows in Vancouver homes today

Census data counts 85,421 housing units in Vancouver, and no single building era holds a majority. What you have in your frames depends on when your house went up:

• Before 1950 (10% of homes): single-pane or other early windows are likely, and the paint on old sashes and trim may contain lead, so it needs careful handling during removal.
• 1950 to 1979 (31%): aluminum frames or early vinyl windows are typical.
• 1980 to 1999 (33%): first-generation vinyl, where failing seals between the panes are the usual complaint.
• 2000 and later (27%): builder-grade windows that came with the house and are now reaching the age when owners start replacing them.

The housing mix matters too. About 51% of homes are detached houses, 18% are attached homes and 29% are apartments. Vinyl windows suit every one of these eras: we take out the old units, aluminum, early vinyl or wood, and set new frames sized to each opening.

Heating costs, comfort and efficiency in Vancouver

Electricity heats 68% of homes in Vancouver, according to Census data, and gas heats 29%. Very few homes use propane or wood. Where electric heat is the norm, the payback from efficient windows is larger, because heat lost through a leaky window is heat you paid for at the meter.

Your electric service comes from Clark Public Utilities. Ask them about current programs for window upgrades before you sign anything, so you know what applies to your home.

When you compare windows, the rating label on each unit is the honest measure. It reports several things worth reading:

• U-factor: how fast heat passes through the window. A lower number means better insulation.
• Air leakage: how much air gets through the window’s joints. Lower is better.
• Condensation resistance: how well the window resists moisture build-up. In a wet region, give this rating extra weight.
• Visible transmittance: how much daylight the glass lets in.

Better ratings on these points mean fewer drafts, steadier room temperatures and less moisture on the glass on cold mornings.

Choosing replacement windows for Vancouver

Builders Service Company is the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington. These vinyl replacement windows come in double-hung, slider, casement, awning, hopper, picture, garden, bay and bow styles, plus specialty shapes, and each one is custom ordered to the exact size of the opening. How we match them to Vancouver homes:

• Homes from the 1980s and 1990s: swap first-generation vinyl for new vinyl frames. Vinyl resists moisture damage and makes cleaning easier, and it keeps the look of the existing windows.
• Openings exposed to east winds: the Columbia Gorge sends cold east winds and ice storms into Vancouver. We check the windows on the windward side first, since worn seals there show up as drafts.
• Pre-1950 houses: double-hung windows keep the traditional sash look of the originals.
• Long-term owners: with about 51% of homes owner-occupied, many owners plan to stay. Replacing every window at once gives a matched look, while phasing by room spreads the work out.

Signs your windows need replacing

In a city where so many homes date from the 1980s and 1990s, the most common sign is a cloudy haze or fog trapped between the panes. That means the seal has failed and the insulating space is no longer doing its job, and cleaning will not clear it. Other signs to watch for in Vancouver’s wet winters:

• Water beading on the inside of the glass on cold mornings, or puddling on the sill.
• Soft, dark or rotting wood on sills and trim around older windows.
• Frames that have warped, cracked or stick when you open them.
• A noticeable draft near the glass when a cold wind blows.

Get a free window consultation in Vancouver

Schedule a free in-home consultation through our contact page or call 253-777-0866. We will measure each opening, go over styles and talk through financing. Discounts are available for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders. For siding, roofing and decks, see our Vancouver home exterior services.