Got Weary Wooden Windows? Try These Solutions To Help Them Last A Little Longer
Posted on: 29 August 2016
If you live in a house that is older than most, there is a pretty good chance the windows you have are framed completely in wood. While modern wooden windows still serve homes well, some of the more outdated versions leave much to be desired. Therefore, there can be a lot of frustrations that come along with old wooden windows in an antiquated home. While you may be more than ready to see those old wooden windows replaced, you may be left dealing with them until you have room in your budget for new window installation. Here are a few easy ways you can prolong the life of your elderly wooden windows.
Install storm windows over every last wooden window you have.
If there is one thing that can make wooden windows act up, it is exposure to moisture, heat, and cold. Because wood is such a porous material, the wood frame of your windows may expand and shrink seemingly with every change of weather. Therefore, the more protected these antiques windows are from the elements outside, the less likely you will be dealing with sticking and off-kilter windows. Storm windows are relatively cheap and offer that good extra layer of protection, which could help.
Avoid opening and closing your old windows as much as you can.
If there is no way around it, opening your wooden windows may be your only choice if you need ventilation in a room. However, as long as you can avoid doing so, it will be best to not open and close the old wooden windows very often. The frames of old wooden windows are fairly notorious for coming unglued at seamed edges of the frame or getting stuck because they are no longer squared and level.
Give your windows a healthy coat of fresh paint.
Whether your wooden windows are naturally finished or already painted, over time the porosity if the surface will just get worse. Being porous means a higher chance of the wood swelling and changing shape with changes in temperature and humidity. You can sometimes ward off this nagging problem with a good coat of latex paint, which will seep into the pores and fissures to form a protective seal. Just be careful to avoid painting around the moving parts, and leave the window cracked just slightly while painting and during drying to prevent the paint from causing the window to get stuck closed.
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