For a modest investment in the supplies needed for this job,
and a few hours work, you can restore each window successfully.
When older houses are left vacant for long periods of time,
the owners sometimes neglect them or just forget. Your windows suffer, but this
can be taken care of with a little bit of care.
If your wood still looks like it is in good shape, perhaps
it just needs cleaning. This can be done with scrapers of different types. Just
scrape at the old putty and remove it. If there is broken glass, this will need
to be carefully removed, as well. Sometimes sanding is needed. It will make for
a much smoother surface for your paint later. The new putty will stick better
to fresh, clean wood, so you will need to prepare the bare wood for that with
primer. It can be water or oil based.
After your glass is measured, add about one-eight of an inch
to the width and the length of it to provide for clearance. The glass is then
ordered, and you will find it in your neighbourhood home and building centre.
When the primer dries, your glass is ready to be installed.
If you use thin beads of putty, this works out best. Place it in the groove for
the glass. Then install the glass. Glazing points are also something of
importance as you will need them placed just a bit from the corners and on the
sides of the window for strength and security. Next you will need to putty the
windows, and let it set for a couple of days, at least. The longer the better
for the putty to dry. Scrape off any excess putty and it ready to paint. Tape
up the edges of the glass to protect that from the excess splatters, and paint
your wooden window.
So, if you are going to put forth your efforts into wooden
window restoration, give thought to maintain them from then on, as well. In
this way, your future repairs will be less costly and time consuming.
