How to update old wooden windows with your own hands: window restoration technology

Repairing old wooden windows with your own hands is a task that periodically arises for home craftsmen.
Even now, in the age of popularity of plastic products, wooden frames do not lose their relevance.

Many people are only now beginning to realize the benefits of the usual wood, which was recently vigorously replaced by plastic. Wood is not just a natural ecological material, it has quite obvious qualities.

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Defects in window frames requiring repair

Before starting restoration, it is worth assessing the condition of the wooden structure. First, an assessment of the wood itself is carried out. It is worth considering that the “life” of a structure made of pine or larch is 25-35 years. If the windows are made of beech or oak, then they can be used for 50 years or more. In addition, there are some factors that indicate the need for repair work. Among them are:

The window seal has failed. If such a defect occurs, drafts will begin to appear and the room will not retain heat in the winter. The reason for this phenomenon is the formation of fairly large gaps between the frame and the sash.
Damage to the protective coating. To protect the wood from the harmful effects of the environment, the surface is treated with special coloring compounds. If such a protective layer becomes damaged, it will need to be renewed. Paint, varnish, and stain are often used as a protective coating.
Formation of rot or mold. Wood is subject to harmful processes such as rotting, which destroys the material, rendering the entire structure unusable.
Poor closing of the doors. This phenomenon is often associated with drying out.
Distortion of individual elements. This may occur during window installation as a consequence of drying processes. If this happens over time, it means the structure has been negatively affected by moisture and temperature changes.

Basics of sealing and insulation

Repair of wooden windows should be carried out at least once every 2 years. Wood is a rather fragile material that will deform over time. As a result, the level of sealing is significantly reduced, which allows cold air to penetrate into the room. There are several ways to correct this situation.

Tip: to check where the cold air is coming from, bring a flame (from a match or lighter) to the window and start moving it around the perimeter. Where the light begins to “attract” there is a leak.

The most popular technique is the use of sealing tapes.

Strips of material are nailed or glued (if there is an adhesive base) around the perimeter of the box. This is a very affordable option, although not the most durable. There are the following types of tapes:

Felt with plastic coating. It is fixed at the bottom of the sashes. It is characterized by increased strength.
Pad. Allows you to completely get rid of drafts.
Tubular rubber seal with adhesive backing. The most popular option today. It can be used for any designs. It is characterized by ease of installation and high technical characteristics. There is one important disadvantage - the adhesive base quickly loses its properties, and the tape begins to fall off. Therefore, it will have to be glued regularly.
Foam. The cheapest option, which is very short-lived. There are models with a special coating. They are more effective, but in most cases they are not thick enough.

Restoring wooden windows using tapes is not a very durable option. They need to be replaced every few years (especially in cold regions). There is a more practical method - the use of special sealants. During the drying process, this substance takes on the consistency of rubber, which allows it to completely fill all seams and crevices.

The procedure for applying sealant is simple and anyone can handle it. It is produced in the following sequence:

We prepare the original surface: go over it with fine sandpaper, and then clean it from dust.
Degrease (solvent or White Spirit is suitable for this).
Fill the grooves with sealant. At the same time, do not fill gutters and grooves (if these elements are present).
Immediately place any non-adhesive tape on top of the sealant (cling film is suitable for this).
After waiting several hours (the drying time is indicated on the packaging), remove the tape. If there are smudges, cut them off with a knife.

Related article: Triangular window on the pediment

The sealant must be of the highest quality (resistant to moisture, temperature changes and UV rays). If you save on this aspect, you will have to carry out the procedure described above much more often. Therefore, the use of high-quality compounds is completely justified.

How to repair a wooden window with your own hands

It is possible to reconstruct a wooden window with your own hands. This will allow you to significantly save on calling a qualified specialist or replacing it with a new one. To do this, you will need to prepare some tools and study information about the sequence of work. Reconstruction is often carried out in the warm season, since it will be necessary to remove the sash, leaving the room open. Depending on the complexity of the problem, you will need to spend a different amount of time.

What do you need for work?

If the restoration involves only replacing the protective layer, then the working tool will be sandpaper and brushes for applying a new coating. Performing more complex work involves using a wider range of carpentry tools. The list of tools for carrying out the work will look like this:

Chisels. It is recommended to prepare several pieces of different sizes for processing different areas of the structure.
A special plane that is used to clean areas affected by rot. It is also called selector.
Jigsaw. It is better to use the manual option.
A knife that will be used to remove the paint layer.
Construction level and corner.
Drills of various diameters.
An industrial hair dryer for removing paint that adheres especially firmly.

As for available materials, their list also differs depending on the intended work. Often used:

Glue - “liquid” nails.
Varnish and varnish - stain, wood paint, varnish.
Paint thinner.
Putty for processing wooden surfaces.

In each specific case, the list of materials and tools is adjusted taking into account the completion of the work.

The doors close tightly

The cause of this trouble may be the skew of the frames or their deformation as a result of swelling of the wood. If the hinges have settled, they can be moved to new places or the height of the sashes can be adjusted by winding the wire around the window hinge rods.

If the wood is swollen, plan off the excess with a plane and gradually adjust the frame to the box. When a specific pinched area is not visually determined, it is found by placing a carbon copy between the box and the frame. The painted areas are planed.

The window may not close well due to years of paint buildup. It can be cleaned off with coarse sandpaper.

Overhaul of a wooden window - complete restoration

Major repairs of a wooden window are required if there is significant damage to the frame or sash. It is planned to replace individual sections of the structure. Often such work involves complete disassembly and replacement of individual elements. To do this kind of work will require a little more knowledge and time. If you are not confident in your abilities, performing such repair work should be entrusted to specialists who can perform all actions efficiently.

Our profession

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Our staff consists of qualified employees with specialized knowledge and practical skills. Our painters, carpenters and glaziers will make every effort to ensure that your windows regain what they have lost over decades and serve properly for many more years. The benefits of natural paint and varnish special coatings in the arrangement of any home are undeniable for human health.
Contact us, and we can not only make them beautiful, but also perfect in everything! We also carry out restoration of Stalinist windows and turn those old windows into full-fledged new windows; in the gallery section you can familiarize yourself with our work.

Cosmetic repair of wooden windows

Cosmetic repairs often involve removing the protective layer and applying. Sometimes small areas affected by rot may be required. All work in this direction can be divided into several stages.

Removing the old protective layer

Cleaning wooden structures.

Surface grinding.

Impregnation of the treated surface with special antiseptic agents.

Applying a new protective layer.

Before starting work, it is recommended to remove the glass. This will prevent them from being damaged. To remove the glass you will need to carefully remove the wooden beads. The work is done very carefully so that they can be reused afterwards.

Dismantling and dismantling of the structure

To perform a high-quality restoration of the window, you will need to disassemble it. Disassembly involves removing the sashes and disconnecting them from the frame. This will allow you to process all surfaces and not leave any areas, even in hard-to-reach places. It is also necessary to remove the glass. To do this, carefully remove the old glazing beads using a chisel. Subsequent replacement is recommended. If they are in good condition, then they can be reused. During disassembly, it is necessary to remove fittings - handles, canopies. This will allow for better cleaning and application of a new protective coating.

Removing paintwork

After the window structure has been removed from the frame and all fittings have been removed, you can proceed to the next stage of work - removing the old protective layer. Often wooden windows are coated with paint. Its removal is carried out in one of three ways:

Thermal.
Mechanical.
Chemical.

The removal technique is selected individually in each specific case. This is due to the type of paint used previously. How tightly it holds on the wooden surface. Each method involves a completely different process of performing the work and the use of special materials and tools. Therefore, having decided on the method, it is worth preparing the necessary equipment.

Using a hair dryer

If the paint layer adheres very poorly to the surface, it can be removed using only a spatula or chisel. But often such tools are not enough and the cleaning process requires much more time and physical strength. To make the process easier and faster, you will need to use a special tool - a hair dryer. With its help, the surface where there is paint is heated with a hairdryer (it ensures that the surface is heated to high temperatures). With this effect, the paint becomes elastic and is very easily removed from the surface. A spatula or chisel is also used to remove it. It is important to be careful while working as the hair dryer produces very high temperature air. It is recommended to carry out work with gloves to protect your hands from burns. This method of removing paint allows you not only to complete the job relatively quickly, but also to preserve the integrity of the wooden surface.

We carry out correct diagnostics

Before you update old windows yourself, you need to assess their condition. It is necessary to identify problem areas. Remember a few useful tips.

If the wood is severely damaged (through cracks, cracks more than 5 cm in length, etc.), then the windows need to be replaced. An attempt to repair such defects will not be successful - the technical specifications will be violated.
Serious damage may be hidden under a layer of paint. Therefore, first it should be completely removed (with a solvent, spatula or torch).
Small potholes can be filled with putty. Therefore, do not rush to throw away old frames.

For do-it-yourself window restoration to be effective, it must be carried out completely. In other words, cracks need to be sealed along the entire perimeter. There is no point in repairing only part of the window, because cold air will begin to enter even the smallest cracks.