Part 1, Beginner's Guide to Repairing Old Windows

[@bonniewilson7392]

This is the most informative video I have seen . THANK YOU ! I have been searching for information for a month .

[@StripeyType]

This is excellent. I'd much prefer to retain the original windows on my new house than replace them, but they're in need of repair and restoration. Now I have an inkling of how to get started!

[@empirecarpentry]

Look to the website for Windows Preservation Alliance to find a restorer near you, if you need help or have questions. Thanks!

[@rtmungo1]

www.windowpreservationalliance.org/

[@aaronvallejo8220]

I was quite intimidated by my 106 year old double hung windows too. So I kept postponing refinishing them. I insulated the attic, then floor through the crawlspace and then inject foamed the perimeter brick walls. But this spring sitting inside during this covid stand down, I started with the tools and gently disassembled one window's vertical interior side trim and exposed the weight pig iron counter weights. Once the bottom sash was cut free of the old cotton counter weight ropes I took it to the garage for a good sanding. I put new putty where needed around the window glass and painted primer on the resanded sash. I then reinstalled it by re-roping the bottom sash to the counter weighs new 4' poly ropes. Then I began to look at the top sash over a few evening red wines and wondered what was stopping it from coming down? The answer was nothing but paint, caulking and more paint. So with a utility knife, chisel and flat hacksaw blade I cleared out the sliding joint and the top sash was free to slide. Success! I removed the top sash off the old ropes to re-sand, prime, re-rope and reinstall it. While the sashes were out I sanded all the window frame surfaces and especially the sliding surfaces then primed them and re-assembled the top and then bottom sashes and counter weights. I even found room to insulate the back exterior area of the counter weight bays with foil bubble and screwed wooden lathe. The top, sides and bottoms of the sashes are groved where zinc sheeting is folded making a window perimeter air gasket. Some of these were missing and they will be replaced. The wood is the windows shrunk a little over 106 years. So the bottom sash wiggled when closed and latched. So I added 1, 2 or 3 layers of foil bubble insulation in the bottom channel of the bottom sash. This tightened up the seal of the window making it more energy efficient. I refinished 20 windows and learned something new every time and so I kept going back to update the others. They are now all beautiful, highly functional, ancient, traditional, almost air tight and way better than 80's aluminum framed windows. Every evening in spring, summer and autumn I open all the windows to flush the thermal mass of the old house with cool and fresh night time air. Then closing them in the morning trapping in all that coolness for the hot high desert days requiring no air conditioning when 95 F outside. As I half lower the top sash and half open the bottom sash of all the windows I get cross winds through the house but I also get convention currents working to cool the house as warmer air rises and flows out the top sash and cooler air enters the bottom sashes X 20 windows. A passive air conditioning unit architectural designed into the house design 106 years ago. It is enjoyable to think this was the way the architect had intended the house to function daily. Good times to be taught daily by an architect from 106 years ago:)

[@empirecarpentry]

Glad to hear you were able to see the beauty under 106 years of paint! You are ready to teach the graduate class. I would suggest you make sure to wear a good resperator when sanding the windows, as they will most likely have lead in the existing paint. Another thing to keep in mind is the sash cord. This is a specially made cord and can be bought on line or at your local hardware in different weights. The reason to use this cord is others will stretch over time and cause problems with cord length. Great job! Kevin

[@aaronvallejo8220]

@@empirecarpentry Thank you Kevin. Excellent advice. I have recently been using a full face respirator to protect my young lungs. Yes, old paint does contain lead a neurotoxin. So my new poly cord may stretch between the counter weights and time? So I may need to switch them back to cotton cord...new cotton cord before I reattach the old trim boards for caulking and then painting. Thanks. On the topic of architecture connecting to natural energy flows...night time cooling in the high desert. I built a 3' x 6' solar air heater in the garage after viewing many youtubers. I mounted my vertically convex unit on the most southern exterior wall where it then pipes the heat into the master bedroom from 10 am to 6pm most winter, spring and fall days with a top 4" hole and a bottom 4" hole just above the baseboard. It works quite well producing 160 F in the sun and in the evenings I reinstall the 2 ventilation hole plugs as the sunsets and the heat from the solar air heater unit declines. This keeps the daily generated heat comfortably inside the insulated home in a mountainous region that frequently freezes at night and snows occasionally. I really enjoy the idea of restoration of old buildings while renovating them to high insulation, high efficiency and on site renewables. Early 20th into 21st...

[@desmondsharpe5397]

Thank you for the information. Have had a broken pane sealed with clear silicone for 7 years just found your video and was able to get the double hung window out so I can repair it. Thanks

[@andareec]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO! We're ready to repair the old windows on our Victorian home, but couldn't find anything that showed us the first step - HOW TO GET THEM OUT OF THE FRAME! I thought we were going to have to climb a ladder to the 2nd floor for every one! Thanks for posting this! *Please consider remaking in the future - picture is a little fuzzy at times.

[@empirecarpentry]

I hope it's gone well!

[@mar1video]

Thank you so much for this video ❗️ Great explanation ❗️ Please post some more ❗️

[@marciagoodrich287]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks, Kevin and UCD!

[@empirecarpentry]

Your Welcome!

[@rodneyfranks2726]

Great service you are doing

[@e.permut2515]

thanks for the information it was very helpful putting a label to piece I destroyed as I removed the window. Imagine my joyous surprise when you said it was a piece easy to find. Unfortunately finding the parting stop is turning out to be more challenging. Do you have any suggestions on where I can find it. I am way over here on the east coast,

[@empirecarpentry]

I did notice that lumber yards are starting to forget that there is a reason for it, and not stocking it as much. Anyone with a table saw should be able to make you a couple of pieces out of a 1x4.

[@empirecarpentry]

Sorry it's took so long......Anyone with a table saw can make it for you if you can't find it at the lumber yard. The size is usually 7/16" x 3/4". Scrap pine works well as long as knots don't make it fall apart.

[@daveschroeder5261]

my 80 year old windows are any pretty decent shape but need some simple restoration. However, the bottom sash will not come out because there are metal guides that the window slides on. Any suggestions?

[@empirecarpentry]

Ahh,,,,,,the metal slides that go into the sashes? There should be a little nail at the top and at the bottom of that metal guide. You only need to remove one side to get the sash out. Remove the two nails and the one guide should come out as you pull the sash to you. Be careful when removing the nails, as you want to put that guide back! Sorry I didn't reply earlier. I didn't realize that was an option on these videos......

[@axiomaddict]

I suggest you get another camera person who knows to shoot what you're talking about in the center of the frame and who knows how to position him or herself to get clear shots. Otherwise good tutorial.

[@empirecarpentry]

I agree that the videos are lacking....We all have a learning curve. Glad you got something out of them!

[@cherylmartin4050]

That was good info. Cool about the door. Just a suggestion camera guy needs to go or show what your pointing at much of what you were pointing at wasn't in the shot :(

[@empirecarpentry]

Thanks for the input.

[@tony714keene]

Vinyl windows, windows that are metal have no life. Single pane wood windows have lots of life. Restored single pane wood windows are beautiful. I like old wood windows.

[@empirecarpentry]

…...and they last longer!

[@Dragnslar2]

The bottom rail of my top sash is rotted, I know how to remove, but how to fix?

[@empirecarpentry]

Sometimes the sashes aren't in good shape because of moisture, like yours. Lots of time the lower piece you mention (midrail), comes loose because of moisture and not locking the sashes. Anyway, sometime you can remove the glass and push the lower rail back up into place. You'll have to drill and put a couple of screws into it into the side pieces to hold it in place. If it's rotted, you may have to have a new one made by your local carpenter. S(he) can copy the work to make it fit. Hope that helps.

[@bonniejo5246]

Very helpful

[@empirecarpentry]

Thank-you!

[@sandradove4099]

what about the frame that holds the window in thats whats rotted away in my daughters window need help urgent plls

[@empirecarpentry]

Hi Sandra, The frame, especially the sill, can rot out on you. A carpenter can replace the whole sill, after cutting it loose from the sides. If the sill has just rotten pockets in it, I will usually clean out the rot and use an epoxy sealer and filler to fill the void. You can sand it and paint, after it dries. Min-Wax makes a filler and sealer that you can find at most hardware stores. Follow the directions. Lots of luck! Kevin

[@mar1video]

@@empirecarpentry - priceless info. Thank you so much ❗️

[@magicmike6961]

hi there I just got a call from jesus He said he's getting back into the carpentry business and he wants his screwdriver back.

[@mijnheermeester5382]

it needs 2 iron weights on the left and the right

[@empirecarpentry]

Correct. The weights should be half the weight of the sash it holds up. Both weights will then hold the window up when open.

[@marcuskihn]

Jesus this is unwatchable. Why make a "video" if you can't see what's going on half the time.

[@owensrayfeilds6800]

why we keep thinking stupid ,,,,its a business,,,,they dont want u to make windows.....this video is all that.....

[@magicmike6961]

are you a homosexual?