October 14, 2016
Specialization: facade finishing, interior decoration, construction of cottages, garages. Experience of an amateur gardener and gardener. We also have experience in repairing cars and motorcycles. Hobbies: playing the guitar and many other things that I don’t have time for :)

If your house or apartment has old wooden windows, do not rush to replace them with metal-plastic double-glazed windows. The fact is that wooden frames can be repaired, as a result of which they will be even better than their plastic counterparts. Moreover, there is nothing overly complicated in this work - how to carry out repairs wooden windows I will tell you in detail with my own hands in this article.

Why repair wooden windows?

Many people doubt how justified it is to repair old wooden windows. In fact, wooden windows have a number of advantages:

wood is natural natural material, accordingly, such windows are more environmentally friendly;
wood is a hygroscopic material. To put it simply, wood “breathes” and thereby provides a microclimate indoors that is favorable for humans;
due to the low thermal conductivity of wood, wooden windows are even more beneficial in terms of energy saving when compared with double-glazed windows;
wood is a durable material, the only thing is that it requires periodic maintenance;
They have an attractive appearance that looks good in any interior.

In addition, it should be noted that the cost of repairing old windows is much lower than the price of new double-glazed windows, which is also important. The only thing, keep in mind that this procedure takes quite a lot of time, especially if there are a large number of windows in the house or apartment.

Window repair

It’s better to start with the most inconspicuous window in a house or apartment, for example, in a pantry. This will allow you to “get your teeth into” and restore the remaining windows more efficiently.

Stage 1: dismantling and disassembly

Repair of old wooden window frames starts with disassembling them. This procedure is carried out as follows:

work should begin by dismantling the glass so that it does not break later. To do this, you need to carefully pull out the nails and dismantle the glazing beads. If putty was used instead of glazing beads, it must be carefully removed with a chisel.
The work must be done carefully and slowly to avoid cracking the glass;
Now you need to dismantle the frames. To do this, you may have to destroy the slopes with a chisel and hammer. The frames should be carefully removed from the window opening;
Next, you need to dismantle all existing fittings, including metal corners. If some screws cannot be unscrewed, they should be drilled with a metal drill of the appropriate diameter;

Window repairs can only be done in warm and dry weather.

Now you can proceed to the next step - removing the old paintwork.

Stage 2: removing old paintwork

There are two ways to get rid of old paint or varnish:

thermal;
chemical

In the first case, you will need a hair dryer. The process of removing paintwork with its help is quite simple:

the painted surface is heated with;
When old paint will soften and begin to swell, it should be removed with a spatula;
After removing the paint, the structure should be cleaned with sandpaper.

The chemical method involves the use special means– washes. The work is carried out as follows:

the chemical must be applied to the painted surface;
further the area treated with the wash should be covered with a plastic sheet nkoy;
after an hour and a half, you need to remove the film and then remove the remover with a spatula along with the dissolved paint;

If the first time it was not possible to completely get rid of the paint, the procedure must be repeated again.

The wash is very toxic, so work with it carefully and use personal protective equipment.

Stage 3: frame restoration

Now that the paint has been removed, you can repair the frames. This work is carried out in the following sequence:

frames need to be laid on wooden boards(you can use plywood or chipboard);
then the geometry of the frames and all sashes should be restored. To do this, you need to measure the diagonals - they must have the same length;
in this position, the frames should be fixed by driving nails into the panels around their perimeter;
Next, you need to carefully drill out the old dowels with your own hands using a drill of a slightly larger diameter than the dowels themselves;
then, using a core drill, you need to drill out new dowels from suitable wood (not cracked and well dried). It should be noted that the dowels must be drilled across the fibers, and their diameter should be 0.6-0.7 mm larger than the diameter of the mounting hole;

After this, the frame must be completely disassembled, and then the grooves and “whiskers” must be coated with wood glue. The parts coated with glue are assembled, and the frame is placed into a template made of nails driven into the shield. To ensure reliability, the diagonals of the frames should be measured again and, if necessary, trimmed;
Next you need to drive the dowels into the prepared holes using a wooden mallet, having previously lubricated them liquid nails. Can also be used regular hammer, placing a wooden block under it;

If there are chips or cracks on the surface of the frames, they must be repaired with a special putty for wood. Holes from self-tapping screws and nails are also filled with putty.
If the frame is subsequently varnished, the putty should be matched to the color of the wood, and you can even paint a wood pattern on it. As a result, the product will look beautiful under varnish;

Next, you need to trim the inner quarters for the windows and sashes. If you need to remove cracks, you can glue strips of plywood with liquid nails. If, on the contrary, the sash does not fit into the landing frames, the excess wood must be cut off with a chisel.
After fitting, the quarters should be sanded to ensure a smooth surface;
At the end of the work, all wooden window elements must be treated with protective impregnation. Let me remind you that the composition is not applied like paint, but rubbed into the surface of the wood, and the procedure is performed in two passes;

To make the windows as airtight as possible, you can insulate them using Swedish technology. To do this, grooves for the Swedish seal should be milled in the landing quarters. It must be said that it is quite difficult to perform this operation on your own, and you also need to have special equipment, so it is better to seek help from the nearest carpentry workshop.

In the process of restoring a window, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the frames, but also to the window frames. They should also be cleaned of old paint, puttied, treated protective composition and paint.

This completes the restoration of the frame.

Stage 4: finishing

Now you need to paint the frames. This stage no less responsible than the previous one, since it depends on him appearance windows.

Painting the frames is done as follows:

first of all, the surface of the frames must be sanded with fine sandpaper;
then the surface should be cleaned of dust;
Next, the surfaces prepared for painting should be primed. This operation will improve paint adhesion and also reduce its consumption. The primer is applied in a thin layer using a regular paint brush.
Like painting, priming is carried out in two passes;
when the windows are prepared for painting, you need to prepare and paint coating– mix thoroughly and, if necessary, pour into a small container;
after this the paint coating is applied paint brush. Some types of varnishes are best applied with a swab. As a rule, painting instructions are included on the packaging.
It is extremely important to apply the coating in an even layer to avoid drips.;
After the surface has dried, the paint coating is reapplied.

At this point, the repair of wooden window frames with your own hands is almost complete. Now all that remains is to install new fittings.

Stage 5: installation of new fittings

Now all that remains is to assemble the windows and install them in place.

This is done as follows:

start work by installing insulation. To do this, the “tail” of the tape must be inserted into the groove. This work can be done using a plastic spatula or a special device, as in the photo above;
next you need to install metal corners, which make the window structure more durable;
then you need to install the awnings and secure the sashes to them. When installing the sashes, you should use a level, since this operation is very important. The absence of cracks and how easily the doors open and close depend on it.
The same applies to the installation of vents;

Now we need to do the glazing. To do this, the corners of the quarters should be filled with strips of silicone aquarium sealant, after which the glass can be inserted into the landings. Before installing the glazing beads, their contact areas should also be lubricated;

To complete the work, you need to install latches, handles and other fittings.

To prevent the wood from cracking while screwing in the screws, you must first drill holes for them.

Here, perhaps, is all the information on how to repair wooden windows yourself.

Conclusion

Restoring old wooden windows is not as complicated a procedure as it might seem at first glance. The only thing is that this work requires a lot of time and accuracy. Otherwise, you just need to adhere to the recommendations outlined above.

See the video in this article for more information. If you have any questions regarding window restoration, ask them in the comments, and I will definitely answer you as soon as possible.

October 14, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, or ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

If you bought for a dacha old house If you have wooden windows that look unattractive, don’t rush to throw them away and buy new ones. You can restore old frames with your own hands and with the help of our tips and modern finishing materials turn a frog into a princess. Restoring wooden windows is a labor-intensive process. But it is much cheaper than installing new windows. We will tell you how to restore a wooden window with your own hands.

Do-it-yourself restoration of wooden windows. Dismantling

The first step is dismantling. Often in old private houses, window frames are simply inserted into the opening and can be removed using a pry bar. The main thing is to apply force evenly, moving the mount along the entire height of the window and on both sides, so that the window does not warp.

If you need to remove painted hinges, you can remove the paint from the screws by tapping the screwdriver with a hammer. After this it will be much easier to unscrew them.

The glass must be removed. Usually they are held on by several small nails, which are often hidden under the remains of putty. To remove putty there are special tools, but this can be done with an ordinary chisel.

Advice! Old caulk will come off easier if you heat it up with a hairdryer.

How to repair an old window

Once all the glass has been removed, you can begin cleaning and restoration. wooden surfaces. You can use a hair dryer to remove paint.

Or a special aggressive paint remover. It is applied to the surface and it destroys the paint. But when working with it you need to be careful - it is dangerous for the skin. Be sure to use gloves.

Now that the paint has been removed, you can fully assess the extent of the damage to the window frame. Next steps depend on what picture opens up to you.

If there are rotten areas on the tree, then the rotten wood must be removed. Further depending on the circumstances: if the potholes are small and can be filled with putty, then proceed to putty. Sometimes putty can be carried out in several stages - it depends on the degree of damage.

For medium-sized damage that putty cannot cope with, you can prepare a filler from sawdust and PVA glue.

Fill the damaged areas with this mixture.

After the sawdust glue has dried, fill any small gouges that remain.

If the rotted area is too large for putty and filler, then you will have to fill it with blocks cut to size. They should be placed on glue and - if possible - additionally nailed or screwed with self-tapping screws.

After the glue has dried, the area should be puttied. regular putty on wood.

The next stage is cleaning. The frame needs to be sanded thoroughly.

Pay special attention to putty areas.

Restoration of wooden windows. Finishing

Before finishing, the surface of the frame must be degreased with white spirit or a similar solvent. Alcohol is not suitable for this!

Now the frames are ready for painting. If you are lucky and your windows are not damaged, then you can use clear paints.

The tree is very beautiful material, and wooden windows painted with transparent paint look incredibly attractive. But even if you have to paint your windows with regular opaque wood paint to hide putty and repair marks, plastic windows they still won’t be able to compare with them.

After painting, the frame is ready to be glazed and returned to its place, where it will serve for many more years. Restoring wooden windows requires a lot of time and labor, but don't let that scare you. All the efforts spent will be returned a hundredfold, because such windows are much more environmentally friendly and attractive than modern plastic ones. In addition, restoration will cost much less than purchasing and installing new windows.

When moving into an apartment or starting a renovation, do not rush to replace wooden windows with plastic analogues “from the best European manufacturers.” Even if the window frames look shabby, they can be quite suitable for further exploitation. Most of the old windows were made back in Soviet times, when the requirements for the quality of material and workmanship were quite high. Of course, repairs, insulation and external finishing, but if you wish, have free time and minimal cash investments, there is every chance of getting a decent result.

Which windows make sense to restore?

It would seem that a completely damaged window frame is still quite subject to restoration

To assess the feasibility of restoration, you need to take into account the material from which the frames are made. Larch and pine have a “life” limit of 25–35 years, beech and oak - more than 50 years.

Restoration will not meet your expectations if:

there is complete loosening of the window frames in the openings;
the wood of the windows has dried out;
the structure of the wood looks loose, when pressed, dents remain;
dark spots appear under the paint (underneath them, as a rule, is rot and rot);
windows are seriously damaged (frames are split, etc.);
a visual inspection shows that the frames are bent or severely deformed during operation.

Before restoration, also pay attention to the fact that the wood must be dry.

Photo gallery: materials needed to repair old wooden frames

Using a primer will significantly extend the life of wooden windows
The most popular when painting window frames is considered alkyd paint The film will not only retain heat, but also protect the room from unwanted light. In most cases, the tubular seal is equipped with an adhesive strip, which greatly facilitates its installation on the window frame Silicone window sealant will get rid of even the smallest cracks You can buy paper strips, although it is not at all difficult to make them yourself
Antiseptic treatment will protect windows from mold and mildew
Putty allows you to eliminate cracks and chips on old frames Using metal corners, the window geometry is corrected

Removing old paint from window frames

Paint can be removed thermally or chemically.

Thermal method

To perform thermal cleaning, we will need an industrial hair dryer (heat gun).

It is best to remove old paint using a hair dryer

Do not try to heat up wood with a hair dryer. It will not give the desired temperature (200°). Also, do not use a blowtorch or propane torch - you will only char the surface!

An industrial hair dryer sets the temperature in the range of 200–250°. It is not necessary to go higher, as this will lead to a loss of quality of the material. It is advisable to put a narrow nozzle on the heat-generating hole, which will prevent the glass from heating up. They should be included in the set of such heat devices.

The frame needs to be placed on a narrow edge and rotated as needed. We consistently heat up sections of 20–30 cm, while keeping the hairdryer at a distance of 10–15 cm from the frame. When the paint begins to bubble, remove it with a spatula or shoe knife.

After heating with a hairdryer, the paint is removed from the wood with almost no effort.

Remember that the hair dryer quickly overheats, so follow the regime: 5 minutes of operation - 10 minutes of cooling.

You should not use a sharpened spatula; it will slip over the old paint or, conversely, cut into the surface.

Chemical method

The chemical method is effective only with a small number of layers of old paint. A special reagent that is sold in construction stores, apply to the surface and leave on certain time according to the instructions. Then remove the softened paint with a spatula and rags.

The substances used are toxic, so it is better to do the work outside (or on open balcony). Also remember about protective equipment: gloves, respirator, goggles.

Putty and primer

Before carrying out this operation, you should carefully examine the window and use a marker to mark all cracks and chips, and then use sandpaper to eliminate obvious roughness. All detected cracks and irregularities should be treated with oil or latex putty.

The puttying process should be given special attention, since the heat-saving properties of windows directly depend on its quality

A rubber spatula is used to complete the work. Excess putty should be removed immediately; after it hardens, this will be problematic.

Wood putty has a certain drying time according to the instructions, which must be maintained.

As soon as the first layer of putty has dried, if necessary, apply a second one. When the second layer has dried, you should go over the putty surfaces with fine-grained sandpaper.

Geometry straightening

The appearance of drafts when closed window, increased audibility of street noise, as well as squeaks and significant physical effort required to open or close the window - typical signs broken window geometry. Check the geometry of the valves, adjust them if necessary and secure the result by installing metal corners.

Please note that window geometry does not always have to obey the rule " right angle" If, for example, the window frame itself is somewhat skewed, then it makes no sense to check the geometry of the window using a square. It is better to pay attention to how the window closes and opens.

The geometry is adjusted by adjusting the tension of the screws located in the window hinges. If, when closing, the window sash catches the frame, adjustment of the upper hinge is required. The lower hinge is responsible for moving the sash to the right/left.

The corners can be screwed in with a regular screwdriver, but it’s faster and easier to do this with a screwdriver

Metal corners are attached to the joints of frame parts and have both decorative and fixing purposes. Right place placement of corners - with inside windows. Quantity - four pieces per frame. To install, first prepare the grooves using a chisel. the right size. We insert the corners into the grooves. We check the accuracy of the installation: we check the length of the frame diagonals.

Insulation

There are several ways to reduce heat loss from windows, using:

paper for covering windows;
silicone sealants;
fabric strips;
tubular profiles;
seals in frame sashes;
heat-saving film.

The last two methods are the most effective and aesthetically pleasing.

First, we treat the junction of the glass and sashes with silicone sealant.

Silicone sealant is great for insulating wooden windows

Then, using a milling cutter at an angle of 45° in the direction of the flashing, we cut out a groove 5 mm deep along the perimeter of the sash and remove the chips from the channel. We consistently press the PVC seal into the resulting groove along its entire length, without stretching it.

To facilitate installation of the seal in the groove, you can use a special roller

The seal, in addition to protecting against drafts, provides additional sound insulation.

Recently, energy-saving film has been used to insulate windows. It is transparent, does not impair visibility and has a self-adhesive backing.

Energy-saving film not only saves heat, but also protects the room from excessive sunlight

Her functional features as follows: the film allows daylight to pass through, but prevents heat transfer from the room, which allows you to save up to 60% of the heat escaping through the windows. The method of applying each specific film is described in detail in the instructions supplied with it.

Window finishing

Before painting the frame, it should be soaked with an antiseptic. This will avoid fungal infections and rotting. If the climate of your region is quite dry, then the antiseptic may not be used. Then priming is carried out. Alkyd, acrylic and polystyrene primers are considered the most suitable for wooden frames.

After the primer has dried, the frames can be painted.

There are three different types of paint you can use:

Alkyd	The oils and resins that make up its base actively prevent fading and deformation that occurs due to temperature changes. In addition, after painting the frames can be washed with any detergents. White spirit (less often drying oil or turpentine) is used as a solvent.
Acrylic	It is based on water and polymers. It is quite resistant to the sun, precipitation, and abrasion. By adding color you can choose desired shade. Absent bad smell. Dries quickly. Plain water can be used as a solvent.
Dispersive (water-based)	The main advantage is the ability to repaint the surface of windows many times without removing layers of old paint. Has good resistance to fading. Inexpensive. Solvent – water.

Painting windows is a simple process, which, however, requires some care.

It is advisable to paint windows in two to three layers. Dilute paint correctly with solvent. It is better to do this as you use it. For example, pour 300–500 grams into a separate container and mix there. Optimal density allows you to create a clean, uniform layer that does not spread.

For the first layer, it is advisable to use a thinner consistency of paint. Do not try to cover up all visible defects at once. The first layer is partially absorbed. Be sure to let it dry thoroughly, otherwise the second layer applied to a damp surface will become covered with wrinkles and bubbles.

To avoid the unpleasant procedure of removing paint from glass, use a special masking tape and stick it on the glass close to the frame in advance.

If you don't want to paint the frames, you can simply varnish them. Varnishing happens:

Opaque - using pigmented varnishes that completely hide the texture and color of the wood;
Transparent - a colorless varnish is used for it, preserving natural look tree.

Of course, there are other types of finishing for window frames, such as imitation and special. They are quite labor intensive and require a certain level of vocational training, as well as the use of special tools.

After the finishing coating has dried, if necessary, new window fittings are installed. The process of replacing hinges requires comment here. First, we correctly determine the place of their attachment. For this purpose, we insert the frame into the opening and fix it with wedges. Only when an equal gap between the frame and the opening is achieved along the entire perimeter do we mark the locations of the installation points. Use a chisel to make a groove for future mounting of the hinge and screw in the screws.

Video: DIY window restoration

The following video shows in detail all the stages of window frame restoration.

Born in 1977 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Graduated from the Donetsk Polytechnic Institute (now Donetsk State Technical University) with a degree in Automated systems management. Worked at the Donetsk Metallurgical Plant. In 1997 he moved to Moscow, where for 8 years he worked in several construction teams.

Modern people try to make their housing as environmentally friendly as possible, which is why you can often see time-tested wooden windows rather than modern plastic. This is no accident, since such a natural material as wood is highly valued. Another main advantage of wooden windows is the ability to repair them. Of course, repair and especially restoration of wooden windows is not an easy task. However, if you take a little modern materials, add skill, patience and a little effort to them, you will get a completely new window.

When is repair work needed?

Window repair and restoration are similar. During both procedures, you will have to clear, putty, paint, seal and insulate. The approach to repair and restoration work on windows depends largely on the degree of wear of frames, fittings, and glass. Most often, window repairs are needed due to worn-out fittings. However, such repairs are quite easy to make. You just need to replace already worn parts with new ones.

Restoration of wooden windows with double-glazed windows has to be carried out if problems arise with the wood itself. This material, unfortunately, is easily influenced by various external influences. To avoid problems, it is best to impregnate the wood with special antiseptics, which in particular protect it from insects. How often windows will need repairs will be determined by the type of wood that was used for them. For example, larch frames can last 35 years, and oak frames can last more than half a century.

Most often, repairs are necessary due to the sloppy appearance of wooden windows. Moreover, this often happens as a result of applying a large number of layers of paint. Repair is also necessary if the thermal insulation properties of the window are damaged due to loose fitting of the frame and transoms. If there are rotten areas on the window frame or transom, then such a window definitely needs repair. Often among the faults there are distortions of window frames, difficulty closing the window, and small cracks. Repairs may also be necessary due to such problem areas, How bottom corners. After all, they often accumulate a large amount of moisture.

Of course, there are damages that can no longer be repaired. For example, the wood has become so loose that if you press on it, it will leave dents. It is also better to replace the windows with new ones if the frames are very wobbly window openings. Evidence that the wood has turned to dust and is decomposing is evidenced by large dark spots under the paint. Frames should not be repaired even if they are severely deformed or damaged. For example, it is best to replace cracked frames with new ones. It is worth noting that it is best to repair wooden windows on a warm, sunny and dry day.

If there is high humidity, it is better to postpone repairs so that the wood does not change its geometry and dries better.

Dismantling and damage assessment

Cosmetic, like major renovation wooden windows begin with an inspection of the structure to determine its condition. After this, a final decision is made whether a light repair or a complete restoration of the window is needed. To do this, carefully inspect the frame, transom and window sill. Next, you need to determine how the glass will be attached. Often they are held in place by putty or glazing beads. To remove the putty, just clean it off with a knife or chisel, and carefully remove the glazing beads (glass slats) without damaging the glass.

After this, the glass is removed and the fittings are dismantled. The wooden ebbs are carefully removed, all fasteners are removed, as well as metal squares, nails, screws, and so on. Then the frame without anything should be placed on flat surface and measure its diagonals. They should all be the same length. Otherwise, the distortion may cause the formation of cracks, and this is unacceptable. The frame must be attached to some surface, for example, to a board made of boards.

Next, it is necessary to check the condition of the window dowels. Often the corners of the frame are connected with wooden dowels. Before painting and sanding, it is better to replace them with new ones. The dowel can be removed by knocking it out with a hammer. Moreover, this should be done from the thin side, since the dowel has a cone-shaped shape. Of course, this is only possible with an even, that is, symmetrical angle of their location.

If the frame is deformed, then it is better to drill out the dowel. A loose dowel can be fixed with superglue in a matter of minutes before drilling. Now that the window is completely disassembled, you can begin work on cleaning the wooden parts from the paint.

It is worth remembering that the window can be repaired correctly only after all the wood parts have been thoroughly dried.

Removing paint

Any old wood window frame will need paint stripped. However this work requires caution. This is best done with gloves and safety glasses. Cleaning the frame from paint can be done in two ways.

Construction hairdryer

This method considered the most effective for removing paint from wood. However, it requires utmost attention. You should work with a hairdryer very carefully. It is necessary to remove the glass in advance so that it does not crack from the hot air. It is best to set the hair dryer temperature to +250 degrees.

If the temperature is higher, the wood may lose its characteristics due to the charring process. During the heating process, the paint bubbles. Due to this, it is easy to remove using a special knife or palette knife (a trowel knife used to mix paints on a palette). A putty knife is not suitable for removing paint as it will either slip across the paint or leave burrs due to cutting into the wood.

It should be borne in mind that this process is slow, but it produces a high-quality result.

Chemical means

Special solutions can remove paint from an old wooden frame. And also you can do this using " old-fashioned method» in the form of kerosene and a plastic bag. Moreover, kerosene is suitable, since, unlike other solvents and solvents, it does not destroy the structure of the wood. This method consists of wrapping the frame with fabric and placing it in a plastic bag or sack. After this, the fabric is very well moistened with kerosene, the bag is tied and left for a day, or better yet, two. As a result, the paint softens and can be easily removed even with a shoe knife.

It is better to remove the strips from the plastic gradually so that the kerosene does not evaporate and the paint does not dry out again and stops separating. Most often, the frame is not placed in a bag or bag as a whole, but is disassembled into parts. There is another option to wrap it in plastic film and tie it with rope in layers for better sealing. The main disadvantage of this method is the pungent odor and high fire hazard. Therefore, it is best to clean the frame in the open air in this way.

After this cleaning method, the frame is not yet completely ready for finishing work. The remaining paint must be removed using sandpaper or a sander. After the frames are cleared of coating, paint must be removed from the internal slopes of the window and window sill.

As soon as the paint is removed, all the defects that were hidden immediately become visible.

Renewal of rotten areas

If the wooden frames are in good condition and you don’t want to change them completely, but there are rotten areas, then they can be restored. This is absolutely easy to do.

Epoxy putty

Epoxy putty allows you to remove small rotten areas of the frame in the shortest possible time. It is very good if it contains fiberglass, which can increase the rigidity of the frame. Restoration begins with the damaged area of the frame being thoroughly cleaned of paint. Then all the dust is removed. After this, the putty is mixed and applied to the prepared area. It is necessary to apply it so that it fills all the cracks and crevices.

In this case, the damaged area must be recreated so that it is more voluminous than the entire plane of the frame. This is necessary so that further grinding can be done. The putty hardens when room temperature at least 24 hours. When the putty area has dried, it must be sanded using sandpaper (it is better to attach it to a block) or grinder. After sanding, the entire surface of the frame should be smooth. After such a restoration, the appearance of the window becomes like new, but there is no guarantee of sufficient density in places that are actively used.

This method is best suited for blind windows or those that are rarely used.

Replacing a frame part

Replacing part of the frame also allows you to remove rotten areas. This method begins with inspecting the frame for damage and marking them. After all of them are found, you need to remove them with a mallet or chisels. A replacement is being prepared to replace them, and the new frame part must completely match the size and shape of the removed part.

When the required part of the frame is ready, it is installed in place and fixed with glue and clamps. The frame will dry completely after 24 hours, then the clamps can be removed. After this, the junction of the new part with the frame is carefully sanded. This is necessary to avoid any differences in height.

Antiseptic

Another important point- This is the treatment of problem areas with an antiseptic composition. After applying it, the frame should be dried. To increase the service life of old wooden windows, it is best to cover them with drying oil. This will prevent the appearance of new rot and partially restore the structure of the wood. Drying oil is applied in 3-4 layers using a brush, and each new layer is done only after the previous one has been completely absorbed. Such impregnation protects for 2–3 years.

If you want to protect windows for decades, then you need to impregnate them in a different way.

For this purpose it is taken metal pipe 10 centimeters thick, with one end sealed. It is installed at an angle of 30 degrees, three-quarters filled with drying oil and heated from below using a hair dryer or hotplate.
Impregnation with drying oil begins after the bubbles disappear on its surface.
Next, you will need an iron hook with a built-in end. The part is placed in the pipe and pressed down with a hook for 5 minutes. Then they hook the bar with the tip of the hook, remove it and dry it.
You cannot touch the parts with your hands, since the temperature of the hot drying oil is more than +130 degrees. Moreover, this entire procedure must be carried out exclusively on the street and away from residential buildings. As a result of this treatment, the service life of wooden window frames can increase to 100 years.

If you want to repaint as little as possible, then after the procedure described above they need to be coated with an oil composition.

Assembly of sashes and insulation

When the window sashes are cleared of paint, they need to be prepared for assembly. To do this, they are laid on a shield and then aligned at right angles. Particular attention should be paid to the details of the window, since even a difference in diagonals of 1 millimeter can lead to a gap of 0.7 millimeters. As soon as the area is leveled, it is immediately secured with glue or nails, which are carefully driven into the shield directly next to the sash. You definitely need to look through and remove (if not already removed) the nails.

Once all the corners are assembled, the result is a very rigid structure, ready to be installed in the frame. Moreover, the sashes will fit more tightly if strips of plywood of appropriate sizes are glued to the frame. After installation, all parts are laid on a leveled surface and pressed down with a load of about 100 kilograms. It will take 2-3 days for complete drying and leveling.

High-quality repair wooden windows cannot do without their insulation. In addition, by insulating windows, you can also significantly reduce heat loss in your home.

There are the following methods for insulating windows:

fabric strips;
silicone sealants;
special paper strips;
tubular profiles;
heat-saving film;
seals that are placed in the frame sashes.

The best is considered to be insulation using heat-saving film, as well as using a sealant in the frame sashes. First, apply to the places where the sashes and glass connect. silicone sealant. After this, a cutter is taken and a 5-millimeter recess is cut around the perimeter of the sash. Moreover, it is necessary to saw off at an angle of 45 degrees. Next, you need to clean the surfaces from chips. Now you can press the PVC seal into the resulting groove without stretching it. Thus, wooden windows are reliably insulated.

Painting and glazing

Proper glazing of windows wooden frames is to install the glass hermetically. This point is very important, since micro-cracks can form between the glass and the frame, into which air can blow.

It is best to seal glass with silicone glue, such as aquarium sealant. The glue is applied along the groove under the glass of the frame, then the glass is inserted and fixed with glazing beads. If there are any escaping drops of glue, they must be wiped off with a sponge that has been pre-moistened with vinegar. At the same time, you should not wipe off the nail heads from the glue, as its layer will become additional protection from rust. The windows must be left for about a day to dry completely.

Sometimes, when repairing wooden windows, it is necessary to replace the glass, for example, if there are defects in the form of cracks, clouding, scuffs, and so on.

When ordering new glass, it is necessary to take accurate measurements of the opening, but at the same time order glass 2-3 millimeters smaller. This is due to the fact that glass expands under the influence of temperature, and such a small gap will prevent the glass from breaking. Glass can also be fixed in the frame using glazing beads and very small nails. In this case, the glazing beads need to be pre-impregnated with drying oil, painted or treated with stain. After this, you can make holes in them using a thin nail drill. Thus, when driving nails, the glazing bead will remain intact, just like the glass.

Without glazing bead, the glass is installed on putty. You can buy it ready-made in a store or make it yourself from chalk and drying oil. It is best to prepare the window before painting. Why sand it, treat existing unevenness with putty. Then, the window is once again superficially sanded. The last step is to apply oil-adhesive putty and clean it again with sandpaper.

There are various means for treating wooden windows. For example, if the surface of the window looks decent, then it is better to coat it with varnish. To level or give the wood a different tone, stain is used. It also allows you to make small defects invisible. If there are a large number of putty areas, then better windows paint. For painting wooden windows, acrylic or oil paint. Advantages acrylic paint are that they dry quickly, while oil-based ones last longer.

For painting, the paint is first diluted. Thick paint does not allow the wood to penetrate well, and streaks may form. To make the window look neater after painting, it is better to apply more liquid paint, but in several layers. Before painting, the window glass should be coated with masking tape. The first coat of paint is applied to saturate the wood. Only after it has completely dried can the second and subsequent layers be applied. They begin to paint from the glass from the inner surface.

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How to restore old wooden windows yourself so as not to buy new ones

Hello. In this article I will tell you how to update old wooden windows with your own hands. I understand that there are fewer and fewer such windows and topics related to plastic double-glazed windows are more relevant. But, since glazing, originally from the Soviet past, is still used by some thrifty owners to this day, it would be wrong not to say anything about the restoration of such structures.

A few words about the goals and results of restoration

When we talk about old wooden windows, we imagine a standard design of one solid piece and a hinged sash with a window. But, in fact, half a century ago glazing was produced in various configurations, and therefore repair of old windows requires an individual approach to the window in accordance with its structural features.

What elements window designs restored during restoration?

Let's take a closer look at each of the stages of restoration work listed in the table.

Glass replacement

So, imagine the following situation: the glass in your window is broken and you don’t know how to replace it. In fact, there is nothing complicated here.

To complete the work we will need the following materials and tools:

Glass corresponding in size to the piece that requires replacement;
Beading bead suitable thickness or window putty;
Nails 10 mm long;
Narrow-nose pliers;
A small hammer weighing no more than 300 grams;
Masking tape or electrical tape;
Glass cutter;
Square and long metal ruler;
Black marker.

The instructions for replacing old glass with new ones are as follows:

We dismantle the old glazing bead or remove a layer of old putty, depending on the type of glazing;
To avoid injury, carefully remove the old glass;
Clearing seat along the perimeter of the frame from old paint or putty;
We check the compliance of the angles by applying a right angle to each corner of the sash;

If the angles around the perimeter of the seat are not straight, you will have to align the sash or cut the glass taking into account the angle that exists.

We take the exact dimensions of the seat and transfer them to the glass using a square and a ruler;
Next, we apply a metal ruler along the marks and guide the glass cutter along the ruler;
Apply a thin strip of acrylic or silicone sealant to the previously cleaned perimeter of the seat;
We place the glass in the prepared opening and press it evenly around the perimeter of the seat so that the sealant spreads evenly;

We also apply a thin layer of sealant around the perimeter of the junction of the glass and the frame and at the same time try to fill the gap between the glass and the wood;
We cut off the ends of the glazing bead at an angle of 45 degrees;

We press the glazing bead to each of the four sides and nail it with nails in increments of 10-15 cm;

Without experience, you can easily scratch the glass with a hammer. To prevent this from happening, I recommend wrapping the striking part of the hammer with electrical tape or masking tape.

Along the perimeter, we wipe off any excess sealant that has protruded from under the bead from the glass;
Use wood putty to fill the gap between the frame and the bead;
Once the sealant and putty have dried, you can begin sanding and painting.

How to cut glass

Today, in every city there are organizations where you can purchase glass of the desired and desired colors. Of course, in these same organizations the glass you ordered can be cut to the dimensions you specify.

By the way, the price of glass already includes the cutting service. But, despite this, I still believe that there should be a glass cutter at home and you need to be able to use it.

Let’s say you purchased a glass cutter, how to use it for its intended purpose?

The instructions for cutting glass are simple. Draw a line along which we will cut. You can only draw on glass with a permanent marker, that is, a marker that does not erase.

Next, apply a straight, long ruler to the line. We move the glass cutter along the ruler with slight pressure from one end of the ruler to the other. The correct pressure when pressing can be determined by a specific creaking sound.

Bead or putty

What is better for installing glass, glazing bead or putty?

I find that glazing bead placed over caulk is much better than putty, as the putty will begin to dry out and crack over time. But, if the glazing bead required thickness no, you can apply putty by laying it out in a rope around the perimeter of the glazing and smoothing it, imitating glazing bead.

The question is, if the glass is held in place by a glazing bead nailed in place, what will hold it in place if putty is used?

In this case, we proceed as follows. We place the glass on the seat and drive in nails along the entire perimeter so that they lie flat on the surface of the glass.

If the nails do not fit tightly to the glass, the window will rattle when there is loud noise from outside.

If you are interested in the topic of using window putty, write about it in the comments and in one of the following articles I will definitely talk about several ways to prepare putty with your own hands.

Restoration and replacement of accessories

Conventionally, all fittings on wooden windows are divided into:

Loops— hinged mechanisms that are simultaneously attached along the inner perimeter of the frame and along the outer perimeter of the sash;
Locking systems– most often these are bolts and a latch handle with a strike plate mounted on the frame.

What problems can there be with the fittings?

Problems three:

Firstly, metal moving parts, sooner or later, rust, which negatively affects their operation;
Secondly, when painting old windows is of poor quality, the fittings are also painted over, which negatively affects its functionality;
Thirdly, the hinges sag under the weight of the sashes, which negatively affects the quality of the vestibule.

All previously listed problems can be eliminated by replacing the fittings from old to new. Moreover, butterfly hinges and a set of locking handles and latches can still be purchased to this day in most hardware stores.

However, if the purchase price of accessories seems high to you, we proceed as follows:

We remove the sash from the hinges - to do this, unscrew the hinge or squeeze it out of the hinges, and then pull out the turning pin;

The pin inside the hinges will probably be soured, so before pulling it out, I recommend spraying WD-40 into the gap. You can begin dismantling the sash in a minute, since during this time the lubricant will have time to take effect.

Next, unscrew the screws that hold the hinges and remove both halves;
Remove the handles and other elements of the locking system;
We treat the fittings with paint remover, after which we clean off the paintwork;

Be prepared for the fact that the old paint is applied in several layers, and therefore the remover will not help immediately and will also need to be applied in several layers. In addition, try to use a remover with an anti-corrosion effect.

The cleaned fittings are washed to remove residues of the remover and coated with a rust converter;
The fittings are painted with modern paints and varnishes for metal;
After drying, the fittings are installed in their original place, and the moving elements in the rubbing areas are lubricated.

One more thing - when replacing or restoring the fittings, it will probably turn out that the original holes for the screws are broken. What to do in this case?

Some people try to move the hinges and locking mechanisms, but I think that this is not a solution, since sometimes there is nowhere to move these parts. Some people use longer screws than originally. But this solution is also short-lived, since long screws will quickly wobble in broken holes.

You can strengthen the holes for the screws by cutting out small pegs and driving them into the broken holes. We cut off the rest of the peg flush with the surface. After this, you can confidently screw in the screws and not be afraid that they will come out over time.

Window insulation using Swedish technology

In the photo - processing the sash with an electric planer

The instructions for restoring an old wooden window would be incomplete without insulating them using Swedish technology.

This is done as follows:

The sashes are removed from the frame;
Use a plane to level the perimeter of the sash;
A groove is cut out along the perimeter of the sash using a router;
A rolling roller presses the sealing strand into the groove;
The ends of the bundle are inserted into one another and also rolled into the groove.

At this point, window insulation using Swedish technology can be considered complete. However, in addition to installing the seal, fittings are adjusted and the tightness of the glazing around the perimeter of the bead is checked.

DIY painting

In order to update antique windows made of wood, they first need to be painted with high quality.

Painting is done in two ways:

The old paintwork is matted and applied over it new paint – budget option which is done in haste;
The old coating is completely removed, the wood is puttied, sanded, primed and only then painted.

Of course, the second option will allow you to achieve a better painting result, but the price of such restoration will be high. The fact is that you will first have to dismantle the sashes from the frame, remove all the fittings from them, remove the glass, and only after that start preparing the wood.

Old paint can be removed blowtorch, but this method requires special experience, otherwise the wood can be burned. As alternative solution You can use chemicals, namely paint removers. It is not customary to use chemicals to clean lumber, but such treatment will not harm frames and sashes.

After cleaning the old coating, you will most likely see a raised surface. In order for the paint to lay evenly, the relief must be puttied with special putties, dried, and then sanded with sandpaper with a variable degree of grain.

Both the inside and outside of the window can be painted with pentaphthalic enamel PF-115 and PF-116, and as a primer I recommend covering the wood with a continuous layer of drying oil. The use of a primer in this case is necessary not to ensure better adhesion, but to reduce absorption and reduce paint consumption.

Second life for unnecessary windows

So, we have looked at the main points related to the restoration of old window structures. Now I propose to find out how to use old window frames that are no longer needed.

Let's say you ordered new double-glazed windows from PVC profile, which means the old windows will be dismantled and you will need to do something with them. The first thing that comes to mind is the idea of taking it to a landfill, since such a huge thing simply won’t fit in regular trash cans.

On the other hand, if you have a country house, you can use lumber that has become unnecessary to greater benefit. So, I’ll give you a couple of tips on where to put the bulky structure if you have a country house or dacha:

First, if you remove the glass, the wood can be cut and stored in a woodpile. Agree that in winter dry firewood for heating the stove will be useful;
Secondly, you can dismantle the doors and the rest of the fittings, and make a sandbox for children from the frame. Everything is very simple, you just need to lay the frame on flat ground, paint it, and then pour dry seeded sand inside;
Thirdly, if desired, you can assemble a greenhouse or a greenhouse from several unnecessary windows. Agree that your own greenhouse is almost free - this is a serious argument in favor of not throwing away supposedly unnecessary windows;

Old double glazing not only retains heat well, but also allows sunlight to pass through perfectly. As a result, the air temperature in the greenhouse is daytime days will be several degrees above zero;

Fourth, old windows can be installed in old log house, where they will still serve faithfully for many years. For these purposes, an opening of the appropriate size is cut out in the log wall. A frame is installed in the opening using floating timber technology, and a frame dismantled from a city apartment is installed into this frame;

The only problem with reinstalling old windows is that they need to be carefully installed. That is, when dismantling, we do not cut the frame into pieces, but carefully break it out in order to reassemble it later.

Fifthly, unnecessary glazing from a city apartment can be useful for furnishing open veranda at your dacha or for arranging an open balcony.

Don’t know how to glaze a balcony from old windows yourself? Yes, actually there is nothing complicated about it. It is enough to assemble from a timber of the appropriate size wooden frame and you can already attach frames to it. But it is important to understand that the sheathing and fastening of the frame to the timber must be as strong as possible.

By the way, if the heat-saving qualities when glazing a balcony are not fundamentally important, you can refuse double sashes. The use of single sashes when glazing a balcony allows you to reduce the weight of the structure and reduce the load on the load-bearing structure. As a result, exploitation installed windows will be more secure.

Conclusion

Now you know what you can do from old window frames so as not to throw them away. However, before using wooden windows for other purposes than their intended purpose, I recommend that you think about restoring them, especially since it is so simple.

So, what could I say, if I forgot anything, ask in the comments, I will definitely answer. Also, don't forget to watch the video in this article.

September 24, 2016

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