How can you repair vinyl on windows that is crumbling from the sun?
by Barbara
+3
I have vinyl clad windows and some of them have dried out crumbling vinyl from sun exposure. It's the area where the two windows meet where the locks are.
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Hi Barbara, unless somebody can come up with an idea to repair your vinyl, I think you are out of luck. I looked at many articles and they are all about repairing windows with vinyl frames. Vinyl is a brittle plastic that can break or crumble. Perhaps there is some kind of patch you could use. Ask at your local hardware store or Home Depot. I have holes in the vinyl siding of my house and think that I shall have to replace it some day.
Your windows have reached their life expectancy. If you can't make a claim with the window co for replacement all you can do is replace or try to fix. You can cut out the vinyl that has cracked, fill in with wood filler , prime and paint. Unfortunately you will have to start painting your windows to protect the vinyl. No one tells you how temporary vinyl coating is. Sorry this is happening to you. I know window replacement is expensive. Remember most lifetime warranties are the life expectancy of the product, not your life. Most lifetimes are only 5 years , fewer are 20.
Should you decide to replace your windows, look first at the maintenance of new ones. Those surfaces than can be treated with waxes to block sun's damaging effects should be protected, at least 1x/year with a good quality product for this purpose.
My mom had the same problem. We found a good contractor who came out and rewrapped the vinyl on her windows. Saved money and they look amazing. He said if any of the others started to do the same, to call and he would come back. There is a vinyl tape sold at home depot to do this with. Sort of like putting on contact paper, but it is weather resistant. Also he said that chemicals used in pressure washing, especially bleach are very harmful to the vinyl. So if you get them fixed, try not to use bleach when pressure washing your house...and windows...We found our guy on Home Advisor. I put in repair wrap on windows and a guy called me. He came out and was great. Hope you have the same success we did.
Thank you for all the suggestions. I am going to see about the vinyl tape from Home Depot.