Old wooden and metal windows are a holdover from the past. Therefore, if you have a house that still has wood or metal-framed windows, you might consider they are almost a luxury item, and that it is worth spending some time on their restoration.
Restoring An Old Window
In recent decades, we first replaced old wood windows with iron-framed models and then with materials such as aluminium and PVC. Keeping the old ones we still have is a great option that we must seriously consider before deciding to change them. Of course, to avoid all the problems for which they have been reviled in recent years, it is necessary to restore and properly maintain them every year.
The resistance of old windows is constantly being put to the test by adverse weather conditions (humidity, heat, sudden changes in temperature, etc.), which cause cracking and warping, as well as rusting. Once problems begin to escalate (even if only some of them), it is harder to guarantee their integrity.
Newer Is Easier
That is why many contractors will surely discourage you from using metal windows when undertaking a home renovation or new build. PVC has truly succeeded in imitating old wood and metal with great perfection, does not require maintenance, and guarantees the highest performance in terms of insulation.
It is a very different case if your house already has metal windows and you want to keep them. For the restoration of the windows, it will be necessary to check the current state in which they are. If they only need maintenance, a light sanding and a suitable weatherproof paint for exterior use will protect the windows against climatic attacks for another year. Check if the glass panes are perfectly housed in the window frame, and go over the putty, removing the remains of the old putty with a utility knife, and applying a new bead.
Removal And Preparation
If you need to remove the windows because you anticipate that the restoration will be more complicated, do it carefully. Take a good look at the hinges, and proceed to fix them with or change them, if necessary. Now it is time to sand the frames completely, preferably with fine-grained paper, to even the entire surface and prepare it for the grip of the new layer of primer and paint.
Glass Replacement
If pieces of the glass are missing in any section, you will also have to repair the damage. Remove the dried and cracked pieces of caulk from the window-frame, insert the new pane of glass, and use a bead of clear silicone or suitable putty to reseal around it.
Dealing With Rust
Another question is whether the window has severe rust. Although there are specific products in hardware stores that can help you, keep in mind that if the condition is advanced, and the restoration should be left to professionals.
If it is a very old window, you always have the option of taking it for a full restoration done by experts. Or it might even be more convenient to look for Crittall replacement windows from specialists.