DDA Construction installs, repairs and maintains doors and windows in Northern Virginia, including pivot, lift-and-slide, multi-slide and bi-fold doors and imported systems, and provides remodeling and painting in Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Falls Church, Vienna, Great Falls, Fairfax and Reston. Virginia's building code exempts same-size window and door replacements that don't change the framed opening; other changes need a local permit.
| Statewide code | Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code |
|---|---|
| Same-size replacement | Exempt when the framed opening does not change |
| Contractor license | Virginia DPOR license for jobs over $1,000 |
| Permits | Issued by each county or city |
Permits in Virginia
Virginia's statewide building code exempts "replacement of windows and doors with windows and doors of similar operation and opening dimensions that do not require changes to the existing framed opening" in single-family homes and townhouses. It also exempts applying paint, replacing floor finishes, and installing cabinetry or trim. Anything that changes an opening needs a permit from the county or city, such as Arlington, Fairfax County or Alexandria.
Where big glass fits
Custom homes in McLean, Great Falls and Vienna increasingly use lift-and-slide and multi-slide walls to connect living spaces to terraces and pools, with pivot doors at the entry. These systems depend on a level sill and a stiff header, which is why we plan them with the builder before framing closes in.
What we do in Northern Virginia
Specialty doors and windows, imported systems, repair and maintenance, remodeling and painting.
Towns and neighborhoods we serve
- Arlington
- Alexandria
- McLean
- Falls Church
- Vienna
- Great Falls
- Fairfax
- Reston
- Oakton
- Chantilly
Questions
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Virginia?
Not when you replace windows and doors of similar operation and size without changing the framed opening. Enlarging or adding openings needs a local permit.
What license should a Virginia contractor have?
A Virginia DPOR contractor license for projects over $1,000, in the class that fits the project size.
Do you work with builders on new homes in McLean and Great Falls?
Yes. See our trade partners page for how we work with builders and architects.
Sources
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 13VAC5-63-80 (Section 108)
- Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
- Arlington County: Residential building permits
Written and reviewed by DDA Construction · Updated September 2026