How to Save Your Wood Windows

The old fashioned wood windows, which were double-hung, can be difficult to maintain. They often have cracked glass, and can be hard to open, particularly if they have been painted. It is possible to make repairs to these old windows and spare the expense of new ones.

Directions:

1. Do a complete inspection of the windows for signs of broken glass. Measure the length and width of the interior window pane. Once you have the figure, take off 1/8 of an inch from each of these figures (length and width). Make note of the size for your pane replacement glass.


2. With your measurements in hand, go to a glass company. Give them your measurements and ask to cut that size. They should also have glazing points (these are small triangles which will keep the pane in position after installed). Purchase them, either from the glass cutter or a hardware store.


3. Pull out some masking tape and place it on the broken window pane in an X-shaped pattern. Put gloves on and put on some safety goggles. Tap the pane with a hammer to break it, and then pick up the broken glass carefully.


4. Take a putty knife and use it to remove glazing compound attached to the wood frame. Remove dirt, all putty, and glass from the frame.


5. Take out the putty and roll it into a small bead. It should be just a bit smaller than the track of the panel. Put it into the track using either your fingers or the putty knife. Gently insert the glass in the pane. This is best done from the side or bottom of the pane. Use the glazing points, placing them in between the glass and wood. This should be done along the pane's perimeter. You can use a flat screwdriver to push them into place behind the frame. Seal the wood and glass with another bead of putty, smoothing it with the putty knife.