Replacing windows
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Login to AnswerFriends, I'm facing a dilemma when replacing windows. We're being offered two installation options: a simple "retrofit" (where a new frame is inserted into the old one) and a complete "full frame" replacement (where they remove everything down to the exposed brick). The price difference is significant. Is it worth paying extra for a full replacement if the old wood on the outside doesn't seem to have rotted yet, or is a retrofit just a waste of money?
Retrofitting is essentially a half-measure, leaving the old frame in place. If the wood inside has already begun to rot, the new plastic on top will simply trap that moisture, further rot. A complete replacement down to the exposed brick is always more reliable and durable, though more expensive.
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