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This old house needs some windows replaced. Theres a rope that the window rides on in the frame, can anyone tell me how to take the window off these frames?
Thanks:
This old house needs some windows replaced. Theres a rope that the window rides on in the frame, can anyone tell me how to take the window off these frames?
Thanks:
You can also find a number of how to books in most libraries that will give detailed, step by step instructions on how to remove them, replace sash cords, replace broken panes, etc....
You can also find a number of how to books in most libraries that will give detailed, step by step instructions on how to remove them, replace sash cords, replace broken panes, etc....
As shown in those links you can remove and repair old windows. But after some point it is sort of useless.
They still leak like crazy and have all the negatives.
There used to be some replacement track jam designs that made an upgrade possible but those are much harder to find. Some methods of doing custom upgrades using routers and other materials. Essentially trying to duplicate those track type designs, you modify the sashes.
Getting them out and back in is not rocket science. Using the old pocket weights means the ropes will keep breaking on schedule. Unless it is absolutely essential from a history viewpoint, usually you look to do a modern vinyl replacement at some point. Is a quick pay back on energy costs even if you have storm windows.
Also helps to inspect the frames good once you get in there. Many times they are rotted.
Fix old windows rather than replace them. They look better on old houses, can be made very energy efficient with weatherstripping, reglazing and storm windows, and are much cheaper to fix than replace.
Also, they are easier to fix and will last longer than vinyl/aluminum/clad windows. If a pane breaks on a wooden frame single pane window you can fix it for 10 bucks. If a pane breaks on a modern window you will be replacing the entire window; good luck on finding parts in 10 years. Also most have a factory claimed lifespan of only about 20 years!
Look at the book Renovating old Houses by George Nash for very good instructions on how to repair old windows.
Chango, don't be silly. Nobody wants to spend the time fixing old windows. Been there...
I don't like vinyl replacement windows either , but let's face it, they're good for the money.
I'd spend the time and money to repair my original wood windows before I shell out the cash and time to replace them with inferior vinyl that will for sure need to be replaced again at some point. It would really be horrible to decide to sell at some point and have the replacement windows begin to fail at about that time.
The house we are buying has old wood windows that we will be restoring and adding wood storms to. It's a smaller, early 1900's house but the windows go with the house and are part of the charm. The house has a built in window seat with big beautiful wood windows behind it.
Most old home people I know, meaning those that would be in the market for an old home, would prefer the old windows restored.
Chango, don't be silly. Nobody wants to spend the time fixing old windows. Been there...
I don't like vinyl replacement windows either , but let's face it, they're good for the money.
That's an attitude that would be expected from the "throw away" mentality of today's consumer culture. It's been groomed into us so people can make more money at our expense.
Vinyl windows are an excellent example of planned obsolescense. They are designed to fail in a relatively short timeframe and be pretty much unrepairable even if something little goes wrong, so that people will have to buy more down the road. You may be happy to be be a sucker to such profiteering strategies, but not me. I'll keep my origional windows; with some maintenance they will easily and cheaply outlast me, even though they are already 100 years old. I don't think that is "silly" at all.
That's an attitude that would be expected from the "throw away" mentality of today's consumer culture. It's been groomed into us so people can make more money at our expense.
Vinyl windows are an excellent example of planned obsolescense. They are designed to fail in a relatively short timeframe and be pretty much unrepairable even if something little goes wrong, so that people will have to buy more down the road. You may be happy to be be a sucker to such profiteering strategies, but not me. I'll keep my origional windows; with some maintenance they will easily and cheaply outlast me, even though they are already 100 years old. I don't think that is "silly" at all.
Ditto
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They are not worth being repaired........
