Clear views,dry walls
A new window is only as good as the opening it sits in. We replace drafty, fogged and failing windows across the Portland area, and we fix the sills, trim and framing around them so the new unit stays dry for the long run.
Window replacement is one of the most noticeable upgrades a house can get.
Rooms are quieter, condensation drops, and the single-pane or early aluminum windows common in older Portland homes finally stop sweating every winter morning.
Rooms are quieter, condensation drops, and the single-pane or early aluminum windows common in older Portland homes finally stop sweating every winter morning. Triple SSS installs replacement windows throughout Gresham, Portland, Happy Valley, Troutdale and the towns nearby. One long-time client’s review mentions a dining room window replaced, a sliding glass door added to reach the patio and a new window in the sun room, all on the same house.
There are two main ways to replace a window. An insert or retrofit window fits inside the existing frame and leaves interior and exterior trim alone. A full-frame or new-construction install removes everything down to the rough opening, which lets us inspect the framing, replace rotted sills and flash the opening properly with modern materials. We recommend the method based on what we find, not on what is quickest, and explain the trade-offs in cost and disruption before you decide.
We work with vinyl, fiberglass and wood or clad-wood windows, and we help you think through bedroom egress, tempered glass near doors and tubs, and the sightlines you want to keep. Each opening is flashed, sealed, insulated with low-expansion foam and trimmed out inside and out. As a family-owned window contractor in Portland, we care about the details you see every day: even reveals, neat caulk lines and sashes that open and lock smoothly.
Everything about windows.
The work, in detail.
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Removing old units and installing new energy-efficient windows sized to your openings, then sealed, insulated and trimmed out.
Our work · Range wall and garden window
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Stripping back to the rough opening so we can repair framing and flash correctly before the new window goes in.
Our work · New lap siding, painted
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Insert windows set inside the existing frame when that frame is sound, leaving interior trim and siding undisturbed.
Our work · Five-panel glass front door
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Replacing soft window sills, brickmould and casing that have taken on water, before the damage spreads into the wall below.
Our work · Opened wall with wood sill
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Framing and installing a new window where there was only wall, with a properly sized header and full flashing.
Our work · Kitchen remodel with island
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Larger feature windows for living rooms and stairwells, supported and flashed for the extra size and weight.
Our work · After: painted back wall
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Bedroom windows sized for safe emergency exit, often part of updating an older room or finishing a converted space.
Our work · Entry portico, brick steps
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New or restored casing, stools and aprons inside, painted or stained to match the rest of the room.
Our work · Double vanity bathroom
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Sill pans, head flashing and properly tooled sealant outside, so rain drains away from the wall instead of into it.
Our work · House wrap going on
When to call us.
- 01Fog or condensation trapped between the panes of glass.
- 02Drafts you can feel near the window on a windy day.
- 03Water on the sill or stains on the wall below after rain.
- 04Sashes that stick, will not lock or have to be propped open.
- 05Soft, dark or crumbling wood on the sill outside.
- 06Single-pane glass that drips with condensation every winter.
Four steps, no surprises.
- 1
Free measure & assessment
We measure each opening, check the sills and framing, and talk through window styles, materials and install method.
- 2
Order & schedule
Windows are ordered to size, and once they arrive we book install days around the weather.
- 3
Install & flash
Old units come out, openings are repaired and flashed, and new windows are set level, sealed and insulated.
- 4
Trim, clean & check
Interior and exterior trim is finished, glass is cleaned, and we test every sash and lock with you.
Why it matters here.
Windows in the Portland area deal with a long, damp, gray season far more than with extremes of heat or cold.
Condensation, mildew on frames and rot at the sill are the usual complaints, along with drafts when the east wind blows through Gresham and Troutdale. Many houses in Portland, Milwaukie and east Multnomah County still have original single-pane wood windows or early aluminum sliders. Replacing them improves comfort and energy use, but just as importantly it lets water drain out of the wall the way it should.
In their words.
Shawn replaced our dining room window and put in a sliding glass door so we could access our backyard patio. Anytime we need something done at our house we always call Shawn because he is dependable, a hard worker, and he knows his craft.
Asked & answered.
Don’t see yours? Call (503) 781-2093.
How much does window replacement cost?
It depends on the number and size of the windows, the material and glass package you choose, and whether we use retrofit inserts or full-frame installs. Rot repair around the openings also changes the price. We measure every window at the free estimate and give you a written quote broken out by opening.
Should I choose retrofit or full-frame windows?
Retrofit inserts are less disruptive and work well when the existing frame is square, dry and sound. Full-frame replacement costs more but lets us repair rot and flash the opening properly, which matters on older homes and exposed walls. We look at each opening and recommend the method that suits it.
How long does it take to replace windows?
It depends on the number of windows, their size, access and how much repair the openings need. A whole-house project usually runs over several days. Lead time for ordering the windows is often the longer wait, and we give you a realistic install schedule once your order is placed.
Can you replace windows in the winter?
Yes. We take out and install one opening at a time, so the house is only open for a short stretch, and we plan the exterior sealing around dry spells. Winter is when most people notice drafty windows, which makes it a sensible time to get a free estimate on the calendar.
Why is there condensation between my window panes?
Fog between the panes means the seal on an insulated glass unit has failed and moist air has got inside. It cannot be wiped away. Depending on the window, replacing the glass unit alone may be possible, or the whole window may be due. We check which option makes sense when we visit.
While we’re there.
Tell us about your house.
Send a few lines about the job and the best way to reach you. Shawn reads every message himself and calls back fast, usually the same day.
- Call or text, 24/7(503) 781-2093
- Emailshawnpherbst@gmail.com
- Oregon CCB#215023 · licensed & insured