How To Repair Historic Wood Windows

Thus an important element of a building s significance will have been preserved for the future.

How to repair historic wood windows.

Repairable historic wood windows are designed to be easy to repair. Thus an important element of a building s significance will have been preserved for the future. Windows are an important architectural element in old houses. A confident do it yourselfer pam figured out techniques as she went taking apart sash.

Unlike replacement windows where the whole window unit must often be replaced or factory repaired if an issue arises historic windows can be repaired piecemeal. Historic wood windows are constantly being torn out of homes today and being replaced with inferior products. The repair of historic wooden windows. Metal vinyl double paned triple paned argon filled are promoted as the solution to a drafty old house.

The first step in deciding whether to repair or replace your windows is determining the problem. Historic wood windows constructed of old growth lumber and superior craftsmanship will last up to five times longer than replacement models namely because the wood is durable and they are easily repaired. While residing in massachusetts pam learned restoration techniques on the fly first in an 1875 church she volunteered to help revive and then in her own home a 1930s dutch colonial in boston with 22 windows in dire need of repair. Repair or replace historic windows.

Repairing wood windows our old windows had broken glass and crumbling putty. In these detailed videos viewers will learn what it takes and how to repair and restore old wood windows. Replacing old wood screens a few tricks and some advice on making new wooden window screens. Wooden windows which are repaired and properly maintained will have greatly extended service lives while contributing to the historic character of the building.

The michigan state historic preservation office received a grant to fund a five part video series simple steps to working windows. The facts about historic windows. Replacement windows for historic homes can be a challenge but there are many options that will give you beautiful results. Here s to restore them.

Pam rodriguez didn t set out to restore old house windows for a living. The same can t be said for vinyl or new growth wood replacement windows with plastic parts.