Des Moines Home Inspection: Window Terms Explained

Window notes are some of the most common items in a Central Iowa home inspection, where homes range from early-1900s houses to brand-new subdivisions and every winter tests seals and frames. Here's what the usual terms mean. Your inspector saw the house and is the best guide to your report; a window company can confirm and price repairs.

Glass

Failed seal / fogged insulated glass — Moisture between the panes; the glass unit can often be replaced alone. See foggy glass and window repair.

Cracked or chipped glass — Damage that may spread with temperature swings; common after hail.

Safety glass not observed — Glass near doors, tubs, stairs or floors may need to be tempered.

Operation

Inoperable window — Wouldn't open or close, from paint, swelling, broken balances or worn hardware.

Failed balance / sash won't stay up — Worn springs or cords; usually a repair.

Damaged or missing screens — Minor, but often a sign of hail damage.

Frames, water and safety

Wood rot at sill or sash — Soft wood, usually at the bottom of the frame. Small areas can be repaired.

Hail damage to capping or frames — Dents or cracks in aluminum capping or vinyl frames. See hail-damaged windows.

Egress concern — A bedroom window, often in a basement, may be too small or high to serve as an exit. See basement egress windows.

Possible lead paint (pre-1978) — Older painted windows may contain lead; repairs should follow lead-safe practices.

How serious is it?

• Monitor: a few foggy panes, worn caulk, missing screens.
• Fix soon: broken balances, small areas of rot, hail-dented capping.
• Before closing: broken glass, active leaks, basement bedrooms without a usable exit window.

For inspectors and agents

You're welcome to link this page for clients. Related: reading U-factor and energy labels · hiring a window company in Iowa · replacement windows