Fixing/restoring old single-hung windows

[dmention7]

Anyone ever actually worked on them? I've been reading up a on what you can do for old windows, and there's a lot of good info on the web. I'd like to take a crack at fixing up at least a few of the windows in our house, and if anyone has any first-hand experience, I'd be happy to listen!

 

[niterydr]

Are you talking about replacing glass and reglazing them? I did that for a few years with my dad.

 

[dmention7]

I'm pretty much looking to refurbish them as much as possible, though the glass is fine so I'll be reusing it. Here's my plan at the moment:

-Remove sashes from frame, remove glass from sashes
-Strip old paint, sand, and prime sashes
-Replace and reglaze glass
-Paint sashes
-Sand and prime window jambs
-Replace separating bead if necessary
-Replace counterweight cords if necessary, lubricate pulleys
-Install new weatherstripping (probably use vinyl v-shaped stuff)

Like I said, I've read up on the general procedures, and I think I've got all the materials (oil-based primer, oil-based putty, glazier's points, etc), but if you've got any pointers, I'm all ears.

 

[AJ]

The only thing I can really add is that if you end up breaking any glass, there is an Ace Hardware up the road from us (on Boone Ave) that sizes new glass into the frame for a good price. I'm sure lots of places do though.

 

[niterydr]

I'm pretty much looking to refurbish them as much as possible, though the glass is fine so I'll be reusing it. Here's my plan at the moment:

-Remove sashes from frame, remove glass from sashes
-Strip old paint, sand, and prime sashes
-Replace and reglaze glass
-Paint sashes
-Sand and prime window jambs
-Replace separating bead if necessary
-Replace counterweight cords if necessary, lubricate pulleys
-Install new weatherstripping (probably use vinyl v-shaped stuff)

Like I said, I've read up on the general procedures, and I think I've got all the materials (oil-based primer, oil-based putty, glazier's points, etc), but if you've got any pointers, I'm all ears.

There are a few different type of glass "pointers" that are used to hold in the glass. Essentially on the older windows there are metal points that slide in next to the glass. I recommend the "V" style as they puncture the wood nicely, they install really nicely with a tool I call a 5 in one. It is pretty much a handheld tool that has a flat scraper edge on it and a hook part that looks like a bottle opener. That will remove any putty for you and shove the pointers in easily.

Counterweight cords are simple to replace. I recommend pulling windows when doing that as to gain access to the counter weights. If you've never accessed them you have to pull the wood "covers" inside the window jams.

I recommend 1 window at a time if you are "rebuilding" them as you will have gaping holes in your house. Back 6-7-8 years ago I'd beable to do 6 or more 9 pain windows in a day, complete rebuilds, probably a bit rusty now. Also another tip is obviously recaulk before you paint, it can get time consuming (come back to paint later). I dealt with a lot of single pain glass windows in the cities, most 20's-60's style homes have them, very popular.

The only thing I can really add is that if you end up breaking any glass, there is an Ace Hardware up the road from us (on Boone Ave) that sizes new glass into the frame for a good price. I'm sure lots of places do though.

Most Ace hardwares will cut class for you. Make sure you measure +/- 1/8" and double check your measurements. The will typically center the measurements up, so know which side you can err on. Unless you have a glass cutter, a tight fighting window is just as bad as to small of one.

Good luck!

 

[dmention7]

Heh, I've actually got 3 or 4 5-in-1s. Used to be a painter back in college.

I've already started on the first window. Luckily we have storm windows on the outside, so as long as the weather is nice I should be able to plug along without too much worry.

The points I bought were the ones that look like this, but it sounds like you're recommending the flat points?

 

[YSOSLO]

Wow....that sounds like a LOT of work per window. Did you price new vinyl? Cuz with tax rebates for increased energy efficiency and installing them yourself, you might be able to got a LOT more efficient windows installed for around $150 a piece, depending on how big they are and IIRC you only had around 7 windows or so to work on. Wait for a "no payments for 6 or 12 months on purchases over $299 on a single receipt" deal at HD or Lowes/Menards and jump on that shit....unless you're main goal is spending very little cash and/or maintaining the original windows in an older home.

 

[niterydr]

Heh, I've actually got 3 or 4 5-in-1s. Used to be a painter back in college.

I've already started on the first window. Luckily we have storm windows on the outside, so as long as the weather is nice I should be able to plug along without too much worry.

The points I bought were the ones that look like this, but it sounds like you're recommending the flat points?

Nope those were the one. I meant flat on the top and pointy at the bottom, just like that. Those slide in easily. Trick is if they don't, wet the wood a bit .

 

[dmention7]

Wow....that sounds like a LOT of work per window. Did you price new vinyl? Cuz with tax rebates for increased energy efficiency and installing them yourself, you might be able to got a LOT more efficient windows installed for around $150 a piece, depending on how big they are and IIRC you only had around 7 windows or so to work on. Wait for a "no payments for 6 or 12 months on purchases over $299 on a single receipt" deal at HD or Lowes/Menards and jump on that shit....unless you're main goal is spending very little cash and/or maintaining the original windows in an older home.

Well that's the thing. I had considered new windows, but I do not want to do cheap vinyl windows, and I don't think I could justify the cost of replacement wood windows.

Plus, I've got a lot of time on my hands at the moment, lol. So I think with a little bit of elbow grease I can get these windows in much better shape than they currently are.


Anywho, I got one of the panes all glazed up yesterday. Took me awhile to remember how to work with the glazing compound, but it came back pretty quickly.