Home windows have multiple roles in a house. They keep the house cool by letting the breeze in and protect from harsh weather at the same time. They let you see the outside world and also make your house look aesthetically appealing. Another thing windows do is save you from suffocating in your home, but we are pretty unaware of this fact.
Years pass, and you do not pay heed to such minute details of your house, and one day you end up realizing that your window is broken and you’re left frantically looking on the website shown here for a quick replacement. It’s letting water in, and now you have to place tubs to stop the water from ruining your hardwood floor. So, now what? Well, there are two things you can do
- a) save up costs and repair the same window or
- b) get a new window altogether.
Today we will be looking at Tips to repair old home windows. Furthermore, a guide to improving ANY, and yes, we mean any window. But before that, let’s get one thing out of the way.
When do you need to repair your windows?
Windows can be pretty tricky; you don’t have to repair or replace a window if it’s a minute problem. Perhaps you hear squeaking, or it’s slightly hard to open. For that, home remedies like a bit of castor oil will do the trick for you.
You need to repair your window if:-
- The windows of your home are letting air in.
- The windows are prone to leaking.
- The frame of the window has cracked.
- There is a crack in the glass of the window.
- The window is ruining the aesthetic appeal of the house, and you plan on selling the place.
- It has been years, and your windows seem like they have completed their time span.
So, how do you repair windows? The easy and time-saving thing to do would be to get in touch with window companies in Denver or wherever you live and have them use their expert knowledge to do the repairs. However, if you’re into the DIY method, you ca use this guide to give it a go. Let’s move on to fixing different parts of the window. Some significant types and parts of windows that might need repairing are:-
Repairing the glass of a window
Did the kids in the neighborhood accidentally break your window? Maybe that made a little kids’ day because your damage is the first-ever home run he had? Whatever the reason may be, whether a storm or a game accident, you can still repair the glass of your window.
For that, firstly, you need to remove the broken glass pieces and then measure the size of the window you have. Then, after measuring the length, run up the glass place, grab a window glass, and head over to your garage to fix it in the frame.
Repairing casement windows
But before you get the glass for the broken window, check if the rest of the window needs repair. In a casement window, the connection of the windows sash is with the frame. This attachment is with the help of a hinge. Check if the casement is hard to open; if it is, then it may need replacing.
But before you repair the entire casing, try placing a lubricant on it, and it may be the easy fix you need. If you notice any broken part of the casing, you need to repair it; this depends on the type of window casing you have, whether it’s made out of wood or steel.
Repairing sash windows
What are sash windows? Well, sash windows have two panes that glide up and down. Both of them can slide up and down, but most of us keep the upper one closed by keeping it shut all the time. Some owners even permanently shut them by painting them or nailing them if they stay closed.
If you just bought a home and the sash windows are not sliding, it is probably because the previous owners have painted it shut; this is not hard to fix; you can remove the paint from the window with a scraper or a knife (be careful with it) and cut through the layer of paint.
Removing a sash
Sometimes, the problem isn’t as simple as mentioned above, and you’re probably dealing with a broken sash. Fixing a fractured sash isn’t as easy as prying free a window shut by paint, but it’s not as hard either. If you see that the sash now has no chances left, it’s better to remove it altogether and get a new one or mend this one.
Mending a wooden sash
Mending a window sash isn’t a piece of cake, but it isn’t a mountain to climb either. If you notice there are chances of survival of your wooden sash, you can do it yourself. Usually, window frames can last a lifetime, but some things can’t stay forever.
You can easily do so with a hammer and a power drill to strengthen the old window sash. First, you would need to stick them together with the help of wood glue. Then by using a power drill, you can quickly drill them together; this can fix any loosened or weak sashes of your old home windows. Be careful while using a power drill; make sure to wear all protective gear before all these projects.
Repairing the glass in metal storm windows
Metal storm windows are usually of low quality; this can be troublesome for homeowners, as they need replacing frequently. Another reason for these windows to be an issue is that they were installed in haste. If that’s the case, they will bother you a lot. It’s better to get them appropriately reinstalled to avoid any further issues.
If the storm’s window glass needs replacing, you need to order the glass from the seller close to you. Make sure to check the size not to order something that would not fit. With a bit of handy work, your window will be good as new.
Repairing and replacing window sills
Another part of your window that gets easily damaged is a window sill.; this is the exterior part of the window frame on the outer side of your home. Since it is on the outside, there are more chances of it rotting away. But, first, you need to check whether it can be repaired or not. If the sill is old and the harsh weather has taken a significant toll on it, it’s better to replace it. On the other hand, if it’s slightly loose or needs a little retouch; you can quickly nail it down, and a fresh coat of paint will do the job for you.
Happy repairing!