Due to natural wear and tear during prolonged use, restoration of wooden windows may be required. Subject to the technological features of this process and the selection of high-quality materials, the repaired structures will last quite a long time.
Main problems
Probably the most common defects in wooden windows are associated with the wear of fittings. And they, fortunately, can be fixed most quickly, since it is quite simple to replace worn parts with modern ones. Restoration of wooden windows may be required if problems began directly with the wood. This material is environmentally friendly, but easily susceptible to various external influences. To avoid problems, it is necessary to impregnate with special antiseptics, which will become a reliable protection against insects. The service life of the structures also depends on the type of wood used: the service life of products from larch reaches 35 years, and from oak - up to 90.
Stage One: Examine Window State
Restoration of old wooden windows begins with determining the general condition of the structures. For this, transoms, window sills, and a frame are carefully inspected. Old windows have first of all:
- Inaccurate appearance, which is obtained due to the large amount of paint.
- Low heat-insulating qualities resulting from a loose fit of transoms to the frame and to each other.
- Rotten areas on transoms and window frame.
- Window skews.
- Difficult to close.
Do-it-yourself restoration of wooden windows begins with determining the method of fastening the glass. Most often they are held on glazing beads or simply putty. We remove the glazing beads carefully so as not to damage the glass itself. And we simply clean the window putty with a knife. After the glasses are removed, you can begin to remove the paint.
Stage Two: Remove Paint
When restoring windows, the old paint must be completely removed - for this it is best to use a building hair dryer. With its help, the paint warms up well, after which it is well removed. Many remove paint layers with special washes, but their use is not practical, since it will be necessary to work with wood some time later, and the smell in the room will not be the most pleasant. Restoring wooden windows, especially if they are old, can be a difficult process, so you need to foresee different ways to solve problems.
When removing paint, all hidden defects that will have to be fought will immediately be revealed. Local cracks, rotten sections of small sizes are easily neutralized, but if the wood has become loose to its full thickness, many elements will have to be replaced. Lower corners can also become problem areas - in them, as a rule, the main moisture often accumulates. In such cases, repair and restoration of wooden windows may be required.
Stage three: disassemble transoms
High-quality restoration without this procedure is unlikely to cost. The transom is disassembled into separate parts, which allows you to identify the main defects. True, if the corners are preserved intact and there is no rot, then disassembling the transom will not be required. If there are rotten areas, they are easily removed with chisels, a mallet.
In place of the removed elements, you will need to insert an insert - it must match in shape and size with the cleaned area. The prepared insert is placed in the hole on the glue, and then securely clamped. Restoration of wooden windows at this stage is completed by grinding the surface. When problem areas are repaired, treated areas need to be greased with an antiseptic and dried. The joiner triangle will align right angles. All minor irregularities must also be removed with putty on wood.
Stage Four: Putty and Grind
Any cracks that appear during the repair process are carefully sealed with wood glue and sawdust. When the glue dries, you can do the finishing grinding. If you are doing the restoration of wooden windows with your own hands, grinding should be performed using abrasives that are selected according to the condition of the transom. If paint remains on it, a large abrasive, for example, P60, will do: it will reliably remove the desired layer. And if you need to make the surface close to glossy, you can use a fine abrasive - P180. Sanding wooden windows is a dusty process that is best avoided in a living room.
Stage Five: Attention to the frame and window sill
Restoration of wooden windows and doors is a whole series of activities, including frame repair. If it is very rotten, you will have to remove it - as a rule, such rotten elements are easily removed. The longitudinal edge of the windowsill must be carefully examined - all voids under the windowsill are blown with foam. It is better to create a section of the frame during restoration from two elements - the main and the additional lining on top.
Before work, the window sill must be rid of old paint, while with the appearance of a longitudinal gap, it is necessary to fill it with a wooden plank of a certain thickness. If the window sill is not in the best condition, then you will have to replace it - in such cases, restoration is unlikely to help. The wooden historical window - theatrical profile - is one of the most difficult in terms of repair, as it has an unusual design and decoration.
Stage six: correct the geometry
This is one of the most difficult stages of restoration, since with a changed geometry of the windows you will have to make adjustments in size and solve the problem with an fit to the frame. Correction of geometry is performed differently, depending on the state of the transoms. After correcting the defect, the skew will no longer be. In some cases, building the transom may be required - for this, a bar of greater thickness and width is glued than the slot itself. Fastens with screws and glue. After building, the treated slit is carefully sanded to ensure a smooth surface. After the height of the transom is finally adjusted, you can try it in place before installation to avoid the appearance of cracks.
Seventh step: glazing windows
Today, many companies offer such a service as restoration of wooden windows. Feedback on their activities is good, because they perform all the work efficiently and professionally. And they pay close attention to the glazing stage. If you decide to carry out this type of work yourself, remember that it should be performed in several stages:
- First, the glass is cleaned of putty and dirt. To avoid cuts, you need to work with durable gloves.
- Glasses are most often placed on glazing beads or galvanized nails 20 mm long.
- The transom around the glass fit is treated with acrylic sealant, then glass is applied. The fit of the glass to the frame must be airtight.
- The final stage is painting wooden windows with a roller and a small brush for processing hard-to-reach spots.
Swedish technology: what is the point?
Restoration of wooden windows according to Swedish technology is that tubular insulation of structures is carried out along with their repair. This allows for a high level of thermal insulation. The essence of the method is cutting holes 1 cm deep around the entire perimeter of the frame. These holes are filled with a tubular silicone sealant, which is resistant to paint and dirt. As a component of the window, such a sealant can serve about 20 years.
This technology has become popular in Europe 40 years ago. In the Russian version, it underwent a number of changes, which primarily concerned the fitting of sashes and locks, as well as sealing around the perimeter of structures. Thanks to such insulation, not only heat is stored in the room, but also a high level of sound insulation is achieved. No less pleasant features of the technology include cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
The advantages of restoration of wooden windows include the following:
- Thus, you can save green housing.
- The house will provide the most comfortable microclimate.
- Compared with replacing windows, for example, with plastic, restoration is a more profitable undertaking.
In addition, wooden windows are often the main highlight of many structures. And I want to keep them in their original form, to show the architectural appearance of the building in all its glory. In addition, modern materials and technologies make it possible to easily restore and repair windows in order to give them a fresh look and ensure the longevity of their operation.
Wooden windows are structures that need to be looked after in a timely manner to maintain their attractive appearance. All scratches and areas with peeling paint must be sanded and surface treated with modern materials. And if you use Swedish technology, you can not only repair the window, but also insulate it.