Learning About Historical Window Replacement and Materials

Learning About Historical Window Replacement and Materials

How To Prepare Your Old Windows For A New Paint Job

Isaiah Brewer

If your house has old wooden windows, and you plan on painting your house soon, you need to invest a little time first in assessing and preparing your windows.

Inspect The Outside Of Your Windows

The first thing you need to do is inspect the outside of your windows. Look at the current paint around your window trim; is it peeling and cracking? If so, you need to repaint your windows not just for cosmetic reasons, but to protect the wooden frame around your window. Without a proper coat of paint, the wooden frame around your window can become damaged and rotten.

Next, you need to look at the glaze. The glaze goes directly on your window panes and fills in any cracks or gaps between the window panes and the window frame. If the glaze is loose, worn or chipped away, water can get in between the windowpane and ruin the wood around your window. It can also make your window panes loose. 

Then, look at the windowsill. If it is dirty, you'll need to clean it before you begin painting. 

Get Rid Of Loose Material

Now you need to use either a paint scraper or a putty knife to get rid of all loose material around your window. This includes loose paint, glaze and caulking. If any of these materials are peeling, it is best to remove them now. 

Sand Your Window Frame

After you have gotten rid of all loose material, you need to sand your window frame. This is a good way to get rid of old paint, and it will also create an ideal surface for the new paint to bond with. You can sand your old window frames by hand, or use a sanding tool if you want to get the job done a little quicker. 

Clean & Dust The Window Frame

Once the windows are sanded, you will need to clean the trim, windowsill and panes. Use a rag and a bucket full of soapy water to clean the trim, windowsill and panes. Use a toothbrush or similar scrub brush to get rid of any grime around the edges of the glass, around the hinges, and in any other small, tight space around your window.

Apply New Caulk

When your window is clean and dry, you'll need to apply new outdoor caulk to any windows you noticed needs some during your inspection. Use a caulking gun to apply beads of caulk along the edge of the windowsill. You want to ensure that your window is properly sealed before you repaint it; this will prevent water from damaging and rotting your window frame.

Apply New Window Glaze

If your window pane is a little loose, you may need to apply new oil-based window glaze to your window. Use a putty knife to apply the glaze around the edge of the window pane. Work slowly and make sure that you apply the glaze smoothly. Allow the glaze to complete dry and cure according to the directions on the package before you paint your windows. Keep in mind that often times, oil-based window glaze takes multiple days to cure

Once you have completed all the steps above on each of your windows, your windows will be nice and ready for a new paint job along with the rest of your home. 

For replacement windows, click on the link or do an online search. 


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About Me
Learning About Historical Window Replacement and Materials

Hello, my name is Valencia. Welcome to my website about windows. I want to share information about sourcing period-specific windows for your historical home. In many locations, historical societies will only issue renovation permits once the homeowner proves the materials are accurate to the build date of that structure. The windows must look and function exactly as they would new in that historical time period. My site will contain information about ordering, installing and maintaining these windows. I hope you will use the information on my site to keep your historical home in great shape through the decades. Thanks for visiting.