Larkspur packs a lot of different conditions into a small town. Up in Baltimore Canyon, homes sit under tall redwoods that keep the sun off the walls for most of the day, so wood windows stay damp and moss grows on the sills. Along Corte Madera Creek and in the flats near Larkspur Landing, the air off the water is heavier, and older aluminum windows pit and stick. Around Magnolia Avenue and the hills above downtown, many of the houses are decades old, with original wood sashes that rattle in the wind and haven't opened smoothly in years. Each of these needs a slightly different window, and getting that right is most of the job.
We replace windows and patio doors throughout Larkspur and Greenbrae, from single rooms to whole houses, and repair the ones that only need new glass or hardware. Plenty of homes here open onto a deck or garden through an old slider, and replacing a worn patio door is often where homeowners start. Call or send the form for a free estimate.
Shade, Moss and Damp in Baltimore Canyon
Canyon homes have one main enemy: water that never gets a chance to dry. The redwoods and the steep slopes keep walls in shade, so any wood that gets wet in December can stay wet into spring. That's why we see so much rot in the bottom rails and sills of original windows here. When we replace them, we check the framing around every opening, cut out soft wood and rebuild it before the new window goes in. We flash the sill so water drains outward, and we choose frames that can't rot, like vinyl, fiberglass or clad wood. For homes where the look of real wood matters inside, clad wood gives you both. The same shade-and-damp problems show up in the canyon neighborhoods of nearby Kentfield, and we handle them the same careful way.
Older Homes Near Downtown and the Creek
The older houses around downtown Larkspur often have openings that are slightly out of square after decades of settling, which is why we measure every window ourselves before ordering. Most can take a retrofit, where the new window fits inside the existing frame and the trim and siding stay untouched. Where the frame is too far gone, we do a full-frame install and patch the finish around it. Down near the creek and the ferry terminal, damp air is the bigger issue, so we skip bare aluminum hardware and use frames and locks rated for wet conditions. If you're weighing the two installation methods, our window replacement page explains retrofit and full-frame in plain English.
Common Questions
Yes. We work throughout Larkspur, including Greenbrae, Baltimore Canyon, Madrone Canyon, Larkspur Landing, the downtown area and the hills above it. If your mailing address says Larkspur or Greenbrae, you're in our service area, and so is the rest of Marin County.
Yes, in two ways. Dual-pane glass keeps the inside surface warmer, so you get less condensation and fewer damp sills on cold mornings. And slimmer frames let in a little more daylight than bulky old ones. For very dark rooms, we can also suggest glass with a higher visible light rating so the room feels brighter.