Repairing Wooden Windows

quote:

---

Anyone have any recommendations for someone to repair wooden windows?

---

Does the subdivision require wood windows?

BR area and yes subdivision requires them.

What kind of repair? Replacing panes and glazing is pretty simple. Watched a handyman repair a busted pane about 15 years ago at our house shortly after we had moved in and thought that is so simple, I'm never paying someone to do that again. Anything with the sash and jambs on old wood windows is a pain though.

quote:

---

Lots of time when it's real old it gets hard as hell and if done right, it really sticks to the wood mullions the panes sit in. If too aggressive, you can actually crack a pane next to the one you are replacing.

---

Main reason I end up buying multiple panes now when repairing them. Last time I fixed a cracked pane, I had the glass guy at Lowe's cut me 2. Ended up breaking another one in the process, and one of the replacements putting the points in. Had to go back and that time I got 4 cut just to have extras.

quote:

---

Main reason I end up buying multiple panes now when repairing them.

---

I've got a PHD in wood sash windows since I have 31 of them in my old N.O. house that is close to 100 years old. I have 2 windows on a bump out structural part that have 18 glass panes----16 on top sash and 2 on the bottom sash. Most only have 2 large panes measuring 15" x 32" in both sashes.

quote:

---

I have two at home that are beginning to rot on the bottom frame in a corner. It's getting pretty bad.

---

That's probably one of the easier repairs to do. There's 2 ways I'd go about it. First, if it is just a small section and not effecting the entire bottom of the window sash, just cut whatever needs to be removed across the entire width of the window to get to good wood and scab on a new piece of wood by gluing it on with exterior grade glue. Then sand to get the bottom of the window sash smooth and even and then paint.

If, however, the rot is extensive you need to remove the entire bottom of the sash, but first have to figure out how it is assembled----usually by joinery like a mortice and tenon glued together and then depending on how old the window is, it may also be pegged with a couple dowels to further strengthen the joint.

Once you figure it out and remove that bottom piece, you need to make a new one to go in it's place and I advise using something like Spanish Cedar for that. It is rot resistant and keeps a true line and not twist or warp when exposed to the sun's heat.

My windows and all trim work on my house are made from old growth cypress and are all in great condition. I would not trust the cypress you can get from the lumber yards today unless it was old, reclaimed cypress for that job.

I do not have a Ph.D. in window repair, nor do I want one! But I have dealt with a few bottom sash rot issues. There is good advice here; I just want to add that an oscillating tool is handy for getting a good, straight, clean cut, which will make cutting and fitting a new piece much easier.

quote:

---

How do you attach the new piece of wood after you cut out the old with an oscillating tool?

---

Make sure the two mating surfaces are flat and true to one another, apply some outdoor type glue-------I prefer Gorilla Glue in this instance and to apply it right, you spread the glue on one surface and dampen the other surface with water and then clamp them together.

As the glue dries it will ooze out from the seam and look like that expandable foam people use for weatherproofing. Wait until it dries hard and then take a sharp chisel and remove as much as you can. When that's done, sand the area smooth and paint.

Tyler Graves Window Restoration
601-270-0771
Baton Rouge.

Repaired a large wood picture window in the front of my house. Had wood rot from seals drying out.