Window Replacement in Kittitas, WA

A third of the houses in Kittitas were built before 1950. Census data puts that share at 34%, larger than any later building period in town. Many of those homes still have the windows they started with, or windows swapped in decades ago: single-pane glass, loose wood sashes, thin aluminum frames. On a winter night in the valley, that glass is often the coldest surface in the room. For most homeowners here, window replacement in Kittitas starts with getting those old units out.

Windows in Kittitas homes today

Kittitas is a small town of 632 homes, and 80% of them are detached houses. The median home was built in 1976, but the stock spans every era, and each one tends to come with its own kind of window.

• Before 1950 (34%). Expect original wood windows with single-pane glass, or early replacements. Paint on old sashes and trim may contain lead, which affects how the old units come out.
• 1950 to 1979 (23%). Aluminum frames and early vinyl were common. Aluminum conducts cold, so these frames often sweat or frost on the inside in winter.
• 1980 to 1999 (27%). This is the era of first-generation vinyl windows. Many are now reaching the age where the seals between the panes give out.
• 2000 and later (16%). Builder-grade windows went into most of these houses. They are newer, but often the first thing owners upgrade.

Because the eras are spread so evenly, it is common to see mixed windows on one street, or even one house where a past owner replaced a few at a time. We look at every opening, not just the worst one.

Heating costs, comfort and efficiency in Kittitas

Most Kittitas homes do not heat with natural gas. Census data shows only 30% use gas, while electricity heats 54% of homes and propane another 12%. Wood heats 2%. Electric and propane heat cost more to run, so each draft you stop through better windows is worth more here than in a town that runs on gas.

That matters in both seasons. The East Cascades valley climate brings cold winters and hot, dry summers, and old glass works against you in each. Single-pane and aluminum windows lose heat through the winter and let heat pour in through the summer. Energy-efficient replacement windows help hold indoor temperatures steady, which can lower heating and cooling bills while keeping your family more comfortable year-round.

Kittitas PUD supplies electricity in town. Before you order, check with Kittitas PUD about any current programs for efficient windows. We do not quote utility programs, since they change, but we can give you the details on the windows you choose so you have what the utility asks for.

Choosing replacement windows for Kittitas

We install Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, and we are the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington. A few choices fit local homes especially well:

• Vinyl for long-term value. The median home value in Kittitas is about $315,000, roughly 30% below the Kittitas County median. Durable, cost-effective vinyl windows fit that picture: they replace the weakest part of the envelope without overbuilding for the house.
• Double-hung for older houses. On the pre-1950 homes that make up so much of town, double-hung windows keep the look of the original sashes while replacing the single-pane glass behind them.
• Casement, awning or hopper for airflow. In kitchens and bathrooms, these styles open wide to let out cooking heat and steam on hot, dry summer days.

Census data shows 71% of Kittitas homes are owner-occupied. Many owners here plan to stay, so it often makes sense to replace windows in planned phases, starting with the rooms you heat most, rather than buying whatever fits the cheapest opening.

Signs your windows need replacing

In Kittitas, the warning signs usually match the age of the house.

• Frost or ice on the inside of the glass. On single-pane windows in older homes, this shows up on cold winter mornings and means the glass is barely holding back the outdoors.
• Fogging between the panes. On 1980s and 1990s vinyl windows, a cloudy film you cannot wipe off means the seal has failed.
• Sweating aluminum frames. Water that beads on the frame and runs onto the sill each winter can stain trim and soften wood sills over time.
• Rattling and whistling in the wind. The valley gets strong wind, and loose sashes let you hear and feel every gust.
• Broken or cracked glass, or sashes that stick. Patching an old unit rarely fixes the drafts around it.

Get a free window consultation in Kittitas

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will measure your windows, look at each frame and walk through the styles that suit your house. Call toll free at 888-980-8580 or send us a message. Planning more than windows? See our Kittitas home exterior services.