Your Questions, Answered
Pella Rookie of the Year 2025 • Austin’s Only Certified RAM Installer
You already know something needs to change — a draft you can feel, a door that sticks, glass that fogs up no matter what. The question is what kind of project you’re looking at and who’s going to handle it right.
Old Soul Windows & Doors specializes in three core service areas: window replacement, door replacement, and glass repair. Every project starts the same way — an honest conversation about what’s going on with your home, what your options are, and what it’s going to take. No pressure. No scripts. Just the information you need to make a decision you feel good about.
Window Replacement Questions
The most common questions Austin homeowners ask about replacing their windows — materials, costs, timelines, and when it’s time.
A single replacement window in Austin costs between $350 and $1,200 installed, depending on the frame material, glass package, and window style. Vinyl is the most affordable at $350 to $600 per window. Fiberglass runs $500 to $900. Wood and wood-clad windows start around $800 and go higher for custom sizes. A full-home project with 15 windows typically ranges from $5,250 to $18,000. We provide itemized, no-obligation estimates so you know exactly what your specific project will cost.
Most window replacement projects are completed in one to two days for a full home of 10 to 20 windows. A single window takes 30 to 45 minutes to install. The longer timeline is the production phase — once you approve the order, manufacturing takes 5 to 7 weeks depending on the product and any custom specifications. We schedule your installation date at the time of order so you know exactly when to expect us.
There is no single best window — it depends on your priorities. Vinyl windows offer the best value and require zero maintenance, making them the most popular choice in the Austin market. Fiberglass windows provide superior strength and can be painted to match any color scheme. Wood windows deliver the richest aesthetic and are ideal for historic or custom homes. For most Austin homeowners balancing performance and budget, we recommend vinyl or fiberglass with Low-E glass and argon gas fill.
Replace your windows when you notice any of these issues: drafts around closed windows, condensation between glass panes (the seal has failed and insulating gas has escaped), difficulty opening or closing (warping, paint buildup, or hardware failure), visible rot or decay in wood frames, or noticeably higher energy bills without a clear explanation. If your windows are single-pane or original to a home built before 2000, they are almost certainly underperforming modern standards.
Yes — and in Austin’s climate, the return is faster than the national average. Central Texas homeowners run air conditioning 7 to 8 months per year. ENERGY STAR certified windows reduce cooling loads by blocking solar heat gain through Low-E coatings and insulating gas fills. The Department of Energy estimates replacing single-pane windows saves $101 to $583 annually on energy bills. Add the federal tax credit — up to $600 per window and $1,200 per year for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient products — and the payback period shortens significantly.
Door Replacement Questions
Everything you need to know about replacing entry doors, patio doors, and sliding glass doors in Austin.
Front door costs depend on the material and configuration. Steel entry doors run $800 to $2,000 installed and offer the best value for security and insulation. Fiberglass entry doors cost $1,200 to $3,500 and provide the best balance of durability and aesthetics. Wood entry doors start at $2,000 and can exceed $5,000 for premium species and custom designs. Adding sidelights or transoms increases the total by $500 to $2,000.
Fiberglass is the best all-around material for Austin front doors. It resists warping, cracking, and rotting — critical in a climate that swings from 105-degree summers to occasional freezing nights. High-end fiberglass doors feature wood-grain textures realistic enough that most people cannot tell the difference from the curb. Steel is the best for budget and security. Wood is the best for character and craftsmanship but requires periodic refinishing.
A standard entry door installation takes 4 to 6 hours and is completed in a single visit. Patio door and sliding door installations typically take a full day. Multi-panel folding or stacking door systems — the kind with 4 to 8 panels that open an entire wall — may require two days depending on the opening size and structural work involved. Like windows, the production lead time after ordering is 5 to 7 weeks.
In many cases, yes. If the door frame and panels are in good condition but the glass insert is cracked, fogged, or outdated, we can often replace just the glass unit without replacing the entire door. This is common with entry doors that have decorative glass panels and with sliding patio doors with failed seals. The cost of glass-only replacement is typically 30 to 50 percent less than a full door replacement.
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Glass Repair Questions
Common questions about cracked windows, foggy glass, and when to repair versus replace.
It depends on the crack. Small cracks under 4 inches in a single-pane window can sometimes be repaired with resin injection — a fix that costs $50 to $100 and works best as a temporary solution. Cracks in double-pane or triple-pane insulated glass units cannot be effectively repaired because the seal between the panes has been compromised. The insulating gas escapes, condensation forms, and the window loses its energy efficiency. In those cases, the glass unit needs to be replaced.
Replacing the glass unit in an existing window frame (called an IGU replacement — insulated glass unit) costs $150 to $400 per window depending on size, glass type, and accessibility. This is significantly less than a full window replacement and is a smart option when the frame is still structurally sound. Specialty glass — tempered, laminated, decorative, or Low-E coated — costs more than standard clear glass.
Foggy or cloudy double-pane windows mean the seal between the two panes has failed. When that seal breaks, the argon or krypton gas that provides insulation escapes and is replaced by regular air. Moisture enters the gap and condenses on the interior glass surfaces, creating the cloudy appearance. This is not a cosmetic issue — it means the window has lost a significant portion of its insulating value. Seal failure is permanent and cannot be reversed.
Brands, Process & Warranty
Questions about the brands we carry, our installation process, financing, and what happens after the project is complete.
Pella is one of the top three residential window manufacturers in the United States, and we stand behind their products with confidence. Old Soul earned Pella’s Rookie of the Year award in 2025 — a recognition based on installation quality, customer satisfaction, and sales volume. Pella offers windows in wood, fiberglass, and vinyl with extensive customization options, strong energy ratings, and comprehensive warranties.
Both are excellent manufacturers. Pella tends to offer more design flexibility, more glass options, and a smoother customization process. Their factory-direct sales model means pricing is consistent. Andersen has a wider distribution network and a strong reputation for wood and wood-clad products. At Old Soul, we are a certified Pella installer and know their product line inside and out — which means better installation quality and faster warranty resolution.
We install products from Pella, RAM, Marvin, Glass Expanse, Panoramic Doors, and NT Windows. This range covers everything from value-focused vinyl to premium wood and specialty products. RAM specializes in high-performance aluminum storefront and impact-rated systems — and Old Soul is the only RAM Certified Installer in Austin. Glass Expanse and Panoramic Doors offer multi-panel folding and sliding systems for homeowners who want to open an entire wall to the outdoors.
Every Old Soul installation comes with a 2-year limited workmanship warranty covering the labor and craftsmanship of the installation itself. If anything related to how we installed your windows or doors fails within two years, we come back and fix it at no cost. In addition, all manufacturer warranties remain in full effect. Pella, Marvin, and other brands we carry offer product warranties ranging from 10 years to limited lifetime coverage.
Yes. We partner with Acorn Financial to offer flexible financing options for window and door projects. Approved applicants can often secure low-interest or promotional-rate terms. Combined with the federal energy efficiency tax credit — up to $600 per window and $1,200 per year for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient products — financing makes it possible to upgrade your entire home’s windows without a large upfront payment.
Getting an estimate takes three steps. First, call us at (512) 790-8777 or fill out the form on our contact page. Second, we schedule a visit to your home where we measure every opening, discuss your preferences, and answer your questions on the spot. Third, we deliver a written estimate with line-item pricing, product specifications, and a projected timeline. The entire process from first call to estimate in hand usually takes less than a week. There is no obligation and no follow-up pressure.
Still have questions?
Call Greg and the Old Soul team at (512) 790-8777. We would rather answer your question directly than have you guess.