Wood Windows Best Practices

From the desk of Mark Sirvin:

As we move full speed ahead into 2020 with all the challenges another year brings, we need to prioritize our to do list going forward. Purchase a new vehicle, plan that vacation we've been putting off for the past few years or pay off some credit card bills? Where should we rank our homes windows? I'm not sure about you, but most of us pay little to no attention when it comes to the windows in our home until there's a problem. Do you know what it cost's on average to replace windows for one's home? You can always finance the project, right! That right there speaks volumes about what you can expect to spend, when so many companies offer you finance options for years, just like a car loan. On average you can spend $500 for low end basic vinyl windows to upwards near $1,000 for higher end aluminum clad wood or fiberglass windows. Plus extra features or installation issues can increase those cost's as well.  Sadly what happens to often is that due to a few rotting sashes being an issue, which can be corrected more often than not, we end up jumping to panic mode and replace every window in the home, spending countless dollars more than necessary.

     You have options that can save you money. Who does not like saving money? Here are some proactive steps you can take in order to prevent needlessly replacing the wood windows in your home. First order of business is to inspect your wood windows. Do this yearly. Look for signs of wear and weathering. What condition is the exterior in if you have painted all wood windows? Is the paint cracking or flaking? Has the finish dulled and is chalky? Sand the wood and scrape off all the flaking paint, prime and repaint. Replace failed caulking where needed. When taking these steps, always remember to finish the tops and bottoms of the window sashes. I cannot stress this part enough. You will extend the life of your windows by years and years keeping up on the finishing alone. The finishing of your windows is never a once and done aspect of home ownership. It requires diligence and making it a priority. Also check your windows for worn or brittle weather-stripping. Replace it as necessary. You don't realize how much the lack of having a good weather seal on your windows prevents wear and tear. Another major issue we have addressed with so many of our clients over the years is one you might scratch your head over. But it is one of the biggest factors that contribute to rotting wood sashes. OPEN YOUR WINDOWS!!! Pretty simple, right. So true though. You are causing irreparable harm to any wood or clad wood window if you never open them. We have clients that tell us "I haven't opened the windows in 10 years. I run the air conditioning all year." I'm certainly not advocating or instructing you to open your windows during a rain storm or blizzard, but open them when you can and as often as you can, weather permitting. You are helping the wood to breathe and to dry. Moisture and wood do not mix well together over time, unless you are talking about wood like Accoya.

     If you do need to address some rotting sash problems, reach out to Accurate Custom Sash for advice and direction. See how Accoya wood can help you. We always provide every potential client with our 39 years of industry leading knowledge in wood window repair. You will never experience pressure when talking with us.  

"From the Accoya website"

      Accoya® wood is the perfect material for wooden window frames, external wood doors and exterior window shutters as it offers improved thermal insulation properties in comparison with commonly used hardwood and softwood wood species and it is more durable and dimensionally stable than the best tropical hardwoods. Accoya® wood has an enhanced coatings performance and can last twice as long, saving time, money and hassle. It also has a 50 year above ground guarantee, giving complete confidence that Accoya® windows and doors will stand the test of time. An Accoya® wooden window or door is developed to excel in external applications, even in challenging conditions

As we enter our 39th year in the repair and duplication of wood window sash, our commitment to providing you with the highest quality materials and workmanship available will continue to be the top priority. We know you have choices out there when it comes to wood window sash repair, so why choose Accurate Custom Sash?We have seen other websites and their photo galleries of sash repair projects. So what makes one company a better option than another. Fixing or duplicating a wood window sash is not rocket science, right? We all manufacture the required parts, put your window back together, and we or you then put the sash back into the window frame. Pretty equal across the board, right. NO, not even close when you really break it down. I see countless pictures on other sites of so called window repair companies showing the new parts they produced having knots. Yes knots!! Very visible knots!! Did your original window sash have knots? Do you want your repaired window made from a lower quality grade wood with knots? Your windows are like a fine piece of furniture, and should be treated as such. And what about those filled in pieces where they only replace a 6" to 12" portion of your windows horizontal rail or vertical stile. Was your original window sash made up of those glued up sections? NO, it was not, so why would you accept that type of work now. 

         And how where those new window parts manufactured? Was there a table saw or router table set-up on your driveway or in your garage? A palm or belt sander? Window sash parts manufactured on your driveway, NEVER! Parts require precision milling, surface and edge finish, and high quality joinery. Again I go back to your windows being a fine piece of furniture.

     ** Some FACTS about how we repair or duplicate every sash we work on**

1.  Only solid 1 piece clear lumber is used. No knot grade, no poplar, no construction grade, period. Always the clearest solid pine or 50 year rot proof Accoya wood. Were replacing the entire window part. not just cutting off the rotted section and then gluing your window back together with a patch piece of wood.

2. Every part milled on a computer controlled spindle shaper, in our shop, not your driveway or garage with a portable saw, for the utmost in exacting precision and joinery on every cut. Diamond and high quality carbide tooling for the smoothest finish possible.

3. Every sash we manufacture or repair is assembled with the highest quality stainless steel fasteners. All hardware is attached with the same top quality stainless steel screws. Never worry about rust or corrosion.

4. Every part or sash manufactured has the glass pocket and exterior primed by hand with STIX. A top quality urethane acrylic that provides an extra layer of protection for the wood, providing a great base for the final finishing.

5. We strive to match every detail from weather-stripping, glazing beads, hardware, etc. so your repaired or duplicated window looks like it was never touched. You should expect as much from your provider.

After 37 years in the wood window repair and duplication business, seeing just about everything possible, we are still puzzled by the inferior workmanship and quality that still permeates the industry we pride ourselves by. As we continually look for advancements to provide our clients in lumber, such as the introduction of 50 year rot proof accoya, investing in a computer controlled spindle moulder, which allows us to produce exacting duplication of window parts regardless of when they are manufactured. Every production run matches. The window sash we manufacture are assembled with only stainless steel brad nails or screws, and all hardware is attached using nothing but stainless steel screws. The quality of materials used should and does matter. You should expect nothing less.

Here we have a Poplar sash manufactured by another competitor, protected by exterior aluminum cladding. This sash is 4 years old! Where is any primer under the cladding at a minimum? It's no surprise that none of our industries window manufacturers produce a window using Poplar wood. It simply does not hold up to the exterior long term and is highly prone to moisture decay. 

Can you believe these casement sash received new insulated glass by another competitor, and were re-installed like this. These sash rails and stiles were not replaced. This is what some competitor in my industry considers acceptable. Should anyone accept workmanship like this? I won't even use the word quality.

Please do your homework, ask your potential window repair provider for referrals. Don't be afraid to ask questions. No question or concern you have should be discounted or questioned. Accurate Custom Sash always works to provide you, our potential client with every detail regarding your project. 

Wood Window D.I.Y Tips

What condition are your wood windows in? Do they open and close properly? Are you dealing with condensation, mold or discoloration on the interior surfaces? Does the paint or stain appear to be breaking down or flaking? When were they finished last? If you answered yes to any of these issues, your wood windows need attention.  We will share with you below some useful information we have learned over the years, that just might prevent you from a very costly total window replacement job. Here are images of extremely rotted sash, that we were fortunately able to repair for our clients, saving them money from costly total window replacement.  

• Finish and finish the sash on a consistent basis. Seal all edges and especially the top and bottom of your sash. Remove all hardware, especially hinges and operator tracks or brackets . Take the weather-stripping off if you can, and replace if necessary. By insuring all wood surfaces and screw holes are coated will help prevent water from wicking into the wood pores. We actually have a client who uses steel wool to lightly scuff the varnish on his casement sashes, and will then apply a new coat of varnish. He does this process every year. His windows were installed in 1986, and he has no sign of wood rot or decay.
• Invest in stainless steel hinges and screws. The initial minimal upfront expense will pay for itself in short order, by eliminating the possibility of corrosion. 
• Open window treatments, shades, blinds, draperies, etc. on a regular basis. Allow natural light to transmit through the glass. This actually helps with some condensation issues, and will prolong the life of your insulated glass seal. For the ultimate in glass performance, you can request Cardinal Low-e 366 for your future glass replacement if necessary.
• Open, open and open your windows. I have been shocked over the years by clients who tell us that they do not open their wood windows, ever. This will cause premature sash and frame wood rot, guaranteed.
• Replace the frame and sash weather-stripping when worn or brittle. This is a fairly inexpensive fix that helps greatly with energy efficiency.
• Keep your hinges lubricated and the hinge tracks clean and free of dirt. This will allow smooth window operation and also prolong the life of the window operator. You can use a de-greaser for the tracks and silicone spray for the hinges.

These simple d.i.y tips will save you money and preserve the beauty and efficiency of your wood windows.

Give Accurate Custom Sash a call, post a comment, or drop us an email for further information.