Sure but it's probably cheaper in many cases to toss them and get a new cheap window. A lot of windows today are made of vinyl and they're absolute garbage.
A higher end window from Marvin like their ultimate line. But even then I'm not sure. The spring based systems with proprietary parts will make it hard in the future when those parts aren't available anymore.
It's hard to beat a rope, pulley, and weight for longevity.
Interesting. I neglected to mention it, but I was actually thinking about the difficulty of replacing the inert gas as the reason servicing multiple pane windows would be difficult, but I forgot there are non inert gas filled multiple pane windows too.
Ahh yeah, argon filled windows. I think those leak about 1% of their argon each year so eventually it's all gone anyways.
The efficiency thing is always interesting to me. The way I see it, quality weather stripping (integrated if possible) and storm windows should get you pretty close to a modern windows. I figure you'll never make back the savings with new windows VS old windows that have been updated to be more efficient. Especially since the majority of your energy bill is not due to heat/AC leaving through your windows.
Sure. You can replace broken window panes (essentially cut out old caulk) and presumably any rotted wood as well. (As sibling notes though, newer cheaper windows may not be worth trying to repair.)
