Friendswood has a wide mix of homes, from 1970s houses in Forest Bend and Wedgewood Village that may still have their original aluminum frames, to newer homes in Friendswood Lakes and West Ranch where the frames are fine but the seals have failed and the glass has fogged. That mix is exactly why there is no one right answer to the insert-or-full-frame question. If you are still deciding whether your windows are due at all, start with our guide to the signs it is time to replace your windows.
What is an insert replacement?
An insert (sometimes called a pocket replacement) removes the old sashes and glass but leaves the existing window frame in the wall. The new window is built to fit inside that frame, then sealed and trimmed.
- Less disruption. Your interior trim, drywall and exterior finish around the window usually stay in place.
- Often quicker per opening, since the frame stays put.
- The trade-off: the new window sits inside the old frame, so the glass area gets a little smaller, and you are relying on the old frame being solid.
An insert makes the most sense when the existing frames are square, dry and in good shape, and the problem is the glass, the seals or how the window operates.
What is a full-frame replacement?
A full-frame replacement takes the entire window out, frame and all, down to the rough opening in the wall. That lets the crew see and fix what is behind the old frame before the new window goes in.
- You see the whole opening. Rot, soft framing or water damage around the window can be found and repaired instead of covered up.
- New flashing and sealing around the opening, which matters on a home that has had water getting in.
- More flexibility. Full-frame is the way to go if you want to change a window’s size or style.
- The trade-off: more work at each opening, and interior or exterior trim may need to be replaced or touched up.
Which one fits your home?
A few questions usually settle it:
- Is there rot or water damage? Soft wood around the window, stains under the sill or water getting in around the frame point toward full-frame. In our humid climate, it is common to find some damage once an old window comes out.
- What are the old frames made of? Original aluminum frames in older Friendswood homes conduct summer heat into the house. Depending on their condition and how they are set in the wall, they may need to come out completely.
- Brick or siding? On a brick home, how the old window is set in the brick affects how much work a full-frame removal takes. On siding, it is usually easier to open up and re-flash around the window.
- Do you want a different size or style? Changing a window’s size, or switching styles, generally means full-frame.
- Are the frames solid and square? If so, an insert can be a clean, efficient option.
It does not have to be all one or the other. Some homes end up with inserts in most openings and full-frame replacement where the damage is.
Glass matters either way
Whichever method you choose, much of the comfort gain comes from the glass. Low-E, argon-filled glass helps block solar heat while letting in light, which matters most on west-facing windows that take the afternoon sun, even with Friendswood’s tree cover. Our guide to the best windows for Texas heat and our comparison of impact vs. Low-E windows go into more detail.
Permits, windstorm and HOA in Friendswood
- City permit. Friendswood requires a permit for window replacement. We pull the permit before work starts, and the city permit fee is included in your proposal.
- Which county you are in. Friendswood is split between Galveston and Harris counties. On the Galveston County side, replacement windows generally need to meet the windstorm code and be inspected for a WPI-8 certificate from TDI. The Harris County side generally does not. We confirm which side your address is on and plan the job around it.
- HOA approval. If your neighborhood has an HOA, you handle the HOA approval. Share your HOA’s terms with us and we will build to them.
Paying for new windows
Financing is available through Synchrony, including 0% same-as-cash for 12 months on projects of $2,500 or more and terms up to 84 months. See financing options.
Get a straight answer for your home
The best way to decide is to have someone look at the actual frames. At a free consultation we measure every opening, check the frames and sills for rot, and recommend the method that fits each window, with a written, fixed-price proposal and no obligation. Built by Revitalize is based in Friendswood and replaces windows in both Friendswood ZIP codes, 77546 and 77549, as well as League City and Clear Lake. Learn more about window replacement in Friendswood or our full window replacement services, or call or text (713) 364-4627.