GIVE YOUR OLD WOODEN WINDOWS A SECOND LIFE

WITH A LITTLE DIY MAINTENANCE, YOU CAN EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR EXISTING WINDOWS WITHOUT SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPLACEMENTS.

- BY JEFF DENGATE

STANLEY KUBRICK'S 1980 horror film, The Shining, terrifies viewers as Jack Nicholson's character descends into madness. The scariest part of the flick for me was when he first walked into the ballroom of the Overlook Hotel and we're shown a massive wall of windows that are all going to need to be reglazed at some point.

If you have wooden windows in your home, you likely have some that need attention—and you may be hesitant, if not fearful, to take on the work yourself. You may even be thinking about just replacing them with a more energy-efficient window altogether. This article won't delve into the argument about replacements, though I will note that, while window companies tout the cost savings of energy-efficient windows, preservationists have crunched the numbers to show that it can take decades to recoup the upfront costs on energy savings alone—by which time you may be onto your second or third set of replacements.

Instead, we'll show you the basics of keeping the glass in place and sealed from the weather. It's easier than you think and doesn't require expensive tools—and you can even do it without removing the window sash.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

When I moved into a house built in the 1800s, I quickly realized the wall of casement windows that looked beautiful from the street needed a lot of repairs if it was going to continue looking that way. So I dove into learning how to restore my own wooden windows and found it to be a satisfying project—it took me a few summers to eventually work through nearly 350 individual panes of glass.

Your windows may need more repairs than just reglazing—patching areas of rotted wood is a common need on old homes. Also, a note on safety: If your house was built before 1978, you may have lead-based paint. You'll need to keep any dust contained for the protection of everybody in your home. Search for EPA lead-safe work practices for more information.