Due to natural wear and tear during long-term 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 for a long time.
Main issues
Probably the most common defects in wooden windows are related to the wear and tear of fittings. And, fortunately, they can be fixed the fastest, since it is enough to simply replace worn parts with modern ones. Restoration of wooden windows may be required if the problems started directly with the wood. This material is environmentally friendly, but easily amenable to various external influences. To avoid problems, impregnation with special antiseptics is required, which will become a reliable protection against insects. The service life of structures also depends on the type of wood used: the service life of larch products reaches 35 years, and of oak - up to 90.
Step one: studying the state of windows
Restoration of old wooden windows begins with determining the general condition of the structures. To do this, transoms, window sills, frame are carefully examined. Old windows have above all:
- Sloppy appearance resulting from too much paint.
- Low thermal insulation qualities resulting from loose fitting of transoms to the frame and to each other.
- Rotted areas on transoms and window frame.
- Window warps.
- Difficult to close.
Restoration of wooden windows with your own hands begins with determining the method of fixing the glass. Most often they are held on glazing beads or simply on 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 glass is removed, you can begin to remove the paint.
Step 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 layers of paint with special washes, but their use is impractical, since you will have 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 in advance.
When removing the paint, all hidden defects will immediately be revealed, with whichwill have to fight. Local cracks, rotten areas of small sizes are easily neutralized, but if the wood has become loose throughout its entire thickness, many elements will have to be replaced. Lower corners can also become problematic places - as a rule, the main moisture often accumulates in them. In such cases, repair and restoration of wooden windows may be required.
Step three: dismantling transoms
Quality restoration is unlikely to do without this procedure. The transom is disassembled into separate parts, which allows you to identify the main defects. True, if the corners are intact and there is no rot, then disassembly of the transoms is not 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 removed area. The prepared liner is placed in the hole on the glue, after which it is securely clamped. Restoration of wooden windows at this stage is completed by grinding the surface. When the problem areas are repaired, the treated areas need to be lubricated with an antiseptic composition and dried. The joiner's triangle will align right angles. All small irregularities must also be removed with wood putty.
Step four: putty and sanding
Any gaps that appear during the repair are carefully sealed with wood glue and sawdust. When the glue dries, you can do the final sanding. If wooden windows are being restored with their own hands,grinding should be carried out using abrasives that are selected for the condition of the transom. If there is paint left on it, a large abrasive, for example, P60, will do: it will reliably remove the desired layer. And if the surface needs to be made close to glossy, you can use a fine abrasive - P180. Wood window sanding is a dusty process that is best avoided in a residential area.
Step five: attention to the frame and window sill
Restoration of wooden windows and doors is a whole range 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 window sill should be carefully studied - all voids under the window sill are blown out with mounting foam. It is better to create a section of the frame during restoration from two elements - the main and additional lining on top.
Before work, the window sill must be removed from the old paint, and when a longitudinal gap appears, it must be filled 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 historical wooden window - theatrical profile - is one of the most difficult to repair, as it has an unusual design and decoration.
Step six: fixing the geometry
This is one of the most difficult stages of restoration, because with the changed geometry of the windows, you will have to make adjustments to the dimensions and solve the issue of fit to the frame. Correction of geometry is performed in different ways, depending on the state of the transoms. After the defect is corrected, the skew will no longer be. In some cases, it may be necessary to build up the transom - for this, a bar of greater thickness and width is glued than the gap itself. Attaches with screws and glue. After building up, the treated gap is carefully sanded to ensure a smooth surface. After the height of the transom is finally adjusted, you can try it on before installation to avoid gaps.
Step seven: glazing windows
Today, many companies offer a service such as the restoration of wooden windows. Reviews about their activities are good, because they do 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 done in several stages:
- First, the glass is cleaned of putty and dirt. Wear heavy gloves to avoid cuts.
- Glasses are most often placed on glazing beads or galvanized nails 20 mm long.
- The transom along the perimeter of the fit of the glass is treated with acrylic sealant, then the glass is applied. The fit of the glass to the frame must be airtight.
- The final step is painting wooden windows with a roller and a small brush to treat hard-to-reach places.
Swedish technology: what's the point?
Restoration of wooden windows using Swedish technologyconsists in the fact 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 to cut holes 1 cm deep around the entire perimeter of the frame. These holes are filled with a tubular silicone seal that is resistant to paint and dirt. As an integral part of the window, such a sealant can last about 20 years.
This technology became popular in Europe 40 years ago. In the Russian version, it has undergone a number of changes, which primarily affected the fitting of doors and locks, as well as sealing around the entire perimeter of structures. Thanks to this insulation, not only heat is retained 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 benefits of wood window restoration include the following:
- This way you can keep your home green.
- The house will provide the most comfortable microclimate.
- Compared to replacing windows, for example, with plastic ones, restoration is a more profitable undertaking.
In addition, wooden windows are often the main highlight of many structures. And they want to be preserved in their original form in order to show the architectural appearance of the building in all its glory. In addition, modern materials and technologies make it easy to restore and repair windows to give them a fresh look and ensure their durability.operation.
Wooden windows are structures that need to be looked after in a timely manner to keep their attractive appearance. All scratches and areas with peeling paint must be sanded and treated with modern materials. And if you use Swedish technology, you can not only repair the window, but also insulate it.
