Window and Screen Repair in Winnipeg — Handy Hour

A lot of window problems in Winnipeg homes do not require window replacement — they need a specific repair or maintenance job.

What I repair and maintain:

• Screens: new mesh in existing frames (any size or shape, aluminium or fibreglass mesh), torn or popped spline replaced, frames bent back into square
• Window hardware: casement window operators (cranks) replaced when stripped or broken; locking mechanisms adjusted or replaced; sash lifts and locks on double-hung windows
• Sticking sashes: double-hung sashes that stick because of paint buildup, humidity swelling, or worn balance springs; adjustment or rebalancing
• Sill and frame rot: minor wood rot at the sill plate or exterior casing where the damage is surface-level and has not spread to structural framing
• Weather seals: foam tape and V-strip weatherstripping replacement on older windows that have lost their seal

What I do not do: full window unit replacement, broken glass replacement in sealed double-pane units, or structural frame modification. Those go to a window company.

Back to Carpentry Services.

A photo of the window and a description of the problem is the best way to start. For hardware problems, a short video of what is happening (sash not moving, crank spinning free, lock not engaging) is more useful than words.

What affects the quote: type of repair, number of windows, difficulty of access, and whether parts need to be sourced before the visit.

Call (888) 906-0022 or email [email protected] to get started.

The most common question is whether to repair or replace a window. Here is the honest breakdown.

Repair makes sense when:

• The frame is structurally sound and the glass seal is intact
• The problem is operational (hardware, screen, sticking sash) rather than thermal
• The window is in an area where appearance matters and the existing window matches the house's character (older homes with original wood frames)
• The rot or damage is limited to the sill or casing, not the structural rough opening

Replacement makes more sense when:

• The sealed unit is fogged (condensation between the panes) — that means the seal has failed and the insulating gas is gone. That is not fixable; the sealed unit needs replacing by a window company
• The frame itself is structurally compromised, warped, or extensively rotted
• The window is a custom shape and the hardware is simply unavailable

If I look at your window and conclude that repair is not the right answer, I will tell you that upfront rather than do a repair that will not hold.

Related: door installation and repair if both windows and doors need work in the same visit, and trim and baseboard installation if window trim is being replaced alongside the repair. Also: winterizing your home for a broader fall prep checklist.

Fall window maintenance in Winnipeg is worth doing before the ground freezes. The jobs that make the most difference:

Screen changeover: If you have storm windows, screens come out and storms go in before the first hard freeze. I can rescreen any damaged screens while they are out in fall, so they go back in spring in good condition.

Weather seal check: Older windows often have degraded foam tape around the sash. If you can feel a draft when standing next to a closed window on a cold day, the seal needs replacement. A few dollars of V-strip weatherstripping per window makes a noticeable difference in heating costs.

Sill condition: Autumn is the right time to check for soft spots in the wood sill, which indicate moisture has been getting in. A small repair done before winter is far simpler than one done in spring after another freeze-thaw season has made it worse.

For air sealing around window frames, see also caulking and weatherstripping.

A photo and a description of the problem are all I need. Call (888) 906-0022 or email [email protected] to get started.