Wooden windows are beautiful and built very strong. The character they add to your home is priceless. If you found this article it probably means that you’re having some issues with your old wooden windows and are considering replacing them with a more modern option. Before you give up on your beautiful wooden windows let’s entertain the idea of repairing and keeping them.
Most people get intimidated by wooden windows and the misconceptions of them. They think wooden windows are impossible to repair and finding someone to do it is even more impossible. They also think that wooden windows aren’t as efficient as their new-age counterparts. These common misconceptions just aren’t true.
Top 3 Reasons to keep Your Old Wood Windows
Authenticity:
Wooden windows are often found in historical houses. The custom wooden windows are a main focal point of the homes character and authenticity. Replacing the original wooden windows with vinyl would stick out like a sore thumb.
Reparable:
Wooden windows are repairable. Unlike Vinyl windows that have to be fully replaced, wooden windows can be repaired. You can actually repair wooden windows piece by piece. Whether it be wood rot or issues with the weight and balancing system. It can all be repaired.
Efficiency :
Surprisingly, properly maintained wooden windows are just as efficient as its modern day counter parts. With weather stripping and a properly installed storm window it will perform just as efficiently and outlast vinyl or aluminum.
Common issues with Wooden Windows
Wood Rot
The first most common issue with Wooden Windows is wood rot. Wood rot is usually found in susceptible places such as Trim/Casing, Sash and Sill. When you start visibly seeing the rot it is important that you take care of it immediately. The longer it goes the more it spreads and the cost of repair will go up. It can also lead to other expensive repairs within the house like drywall, electrical and mold.
How to fix the wood Rot
There are a couple of ways to fix the wood rot on your wooden windows. If the rot is in a very small area you could use a wood Epoxy to fill in the area. Make sure that you clear all of the rotten wood from the spot prior to adding the epoxy because the epoxy won’t take to rotten wood.
For medium size wood rot you can cut it out and replace the rotten spot with new wood. Just make sure you cut out all of the rotten and soft wood.
For large size wood rot you can replace/rebuild the whole section. Wether its the Trim, sash or sill of of it can be replaced and matched. This is the most advanced and time consuming of the repair options.
Weight and Balance System
Another common issue with wooden windows are weight and balancing issues. If you are having problems opening, closing or keeping the window up after opening, this is most likely the weight and balancing system.
A lot of the this has to do with the cord connecting the weight to the window sash. Over time the cord breaks, leaving the window unbalanced. To fix this gain access to the weight and balance system. Pull the weight and broken cord out. Disconnect the cord from the Weight and window sash. Replace the cord connecting it to the weight and window sash.
