The short answer
A retrofit window goes into the opening you already have, with a flange that covers the edge of the old frame, so the stucco and trim stay put. A new construction window has a nailing fin that attaches to the wall framing, which means cutting back stucco or siding and patching it after. Most Sacramento stucco homes with solid frames are a good fit for retrofit. New construction makes sense when the framing is damaged, you are changing the size of the opening, or the walls are already open for a remodel.
A lot of Sacramento homes built from the 1950s through the 1990s have stucco walls and aluminum windows. When those windows wear out, there are two ways to put new ones in, and the choice changes the price, the mess and how long the job takes.
Retrofit windows
With a retrofit, the old sashes and glass come out, the existing frame is prepped, and the new window is set into the opening. A flange on the new window covers the edge of the old frame on the outside, and the joint is sealed and finished. The stucco never gets cut.
- Best for stucco homes where the existing frames are solid and square.
- Less mess. No stucco patching or exterior painting afterward.
- Faster. A retrofit install takes far less time per window than a full tear out.
- Lower cost in most cases, since there is no stucco or siding work to pay for.
Retrofit windows go into the existing opening, so the siding and trim around them stay put.
New construction windows
A new construction window has a nailing fin around the outside that attaches straight to the wall framing, with flashing lapped over it so water drains out instead of in. To reach the framing in an existing house, the stucco or siding around each window has to be cut back, then patched and painted after the window is in.
- Rotted or damaged framing or sills around the window.
- Changing the size or shape of an opening, like turning a window into a patio door.
- Remodels and additions where the walls are already open.
- Leaks. Homes where water has been getting in around the old windows.
The windows themselves can be the same brand and the same glass either way. What changes is how they attach to the house.
Cost, mess and time
- Retrofit is usually the lower cost option because there is no cutting, patching or painting.
- New construction costs more, takes longer, and may need a stucco or siding crew to finish the outside.
- Either way, check whether your project needs a permit. We cover that in window replacement permits in Sacramento.
- Either way, new dual pane glass is a big step up from old single pane aluminum.
We look at the frames, the stucco and the framing, and tell you which option makes sense. The estimate is free and in writing.
Does a retrofit make the glass smaller?
A little. Because the new window sits inside the old opening, its frame can take up a bit more of the view than the original thin aluminum frame. Most homeowners stop noticing once the window is in, but if a big view matters to you, ask to see the visible glass size before you order. A new construction window can be sized to the full rough opening.
Sometimes you need neither
If your frames are fine and the problem is one foggy or cracked dual pane unit, you may only need new glass. Replacing just the glass is the cheapest fix of all, and we will tell you when it is the right one. Not sure your windows are done? Here are the signs it is time for new windows.
Quick answers
Are retrofit windows lower quality?
No. Many window lines come in both retrofit and new construction versions with the same frame and glass. The difference is how the window attaches to the house.
Will retrofit windows leak?
Not when they are installed and sealed properly. A retrofit depends on a good seal between the new flange and the old frame, which is why the prep matters.
Can you retrofit into an old wood frame?
Often, if the wood is solid. If it is rotted, frame repair or a new construction install is the better call.
How do I know which one my house needs?
A quick look at the frames and the walls around them tells us. Most Sacramento stucco homes with solid frames are good retrofit candidates.