How to Repair Broken Window Frames
Expected wear and tear, forced opening, particular environmental conditions or other natural and man-made acts can cause window frames to rot, get stripped of paint, suffer from cracks or, ultimately, break. Broken window frames must be repaired as soon as possible to avoid the risk of losing protection from the scorching heat of the sun, the cold winter, the possible entry of insects, water leaks and a criminal's easier access to the house. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Carefully check your window frame to have an accurate assessment of the damage. For a window frame with more than 10 percent of damage, it is best to replace the entire window to ensure the safety and protection of your home. Unless you are adept with construction work and homemaking jobs, replacing an entire window generally requires a construction expert.
Do-it-yourself ways for repairing windows are primarily geared towards small wooden window frames and mostly those that utilize single-paned glasses. If you have large panes and intricately constructed windows frames, whether they are made of wood or another material, it is much better to ask a professional to do the job to avoid security risks and creating more serious home damage.
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Use a screwdriver or drill to remove any small rotten wood found in the window frame. A screwdriver can be used to hollow out the rotten wood found in a small area of the window frame. In such a case, make a scooping motion to remove the unwanted part of the wood. For larger damages, a drill should be used. In this case, begin using it at the center of the rotten wood, then hollow out the area using circular motions with the drill. Be careful when using the drill to make sure that you only remove the affected part. Take note that hollowing or drilling is not a good idea if you have metal or vinyl window frames.
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Apply wood preservative over the entire wooden window frame to protect it from getting further damaged and rotten. Fill in the hollowed area with wood putty or epoxy. For larger hollows, you may have to build up the putty in layers that look like the actual frame so that the putty blends with the color and texture of the window frame. Let this dry for about 24 to 48 hours, then use a medium-grit sandpaper to smooth out the filled-up areas of the frame.
If you have metal or vinyl window frames, minor damage and small cracks are repairable through DIY kits with paste-like substances like PVC glue that can serve the same role as the putty used in wood. In cases where there are larger damages on the frames, it is best to replace the window entirely.
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Paint or varnish the window frame to further protect it from wear and tear and to cover up the repairs done on it. If your window frame is metal, use a rust-resistant paint.
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Tips & Warnings
Window frames can be made from a variety of materials like wood, aluminum, vinyl, steel and wood-clad vinyl or metal. Wood is the traditional and generally preferred material used for window frames because of its practical insulation value and visual quality. However, it is more prone to sun and rain damage. It is ideal to repaint every few years to prevent damage on the wood. Metal and vinyl windows are more durable and require much less maintenance, but they are typically less attractive. Clad windows made of wood over metal or vinyl allow you to get the best of what wood and metal or vinyl can offer, but they cost a premium with their construction, maintenance and repair.
To prevent severe damage to your window frames, regularly clean them, repair minor damages and repaint if necessary. Allotting a budget for proper home maintenance can save you more money in the long run.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit windows image by christophe morgado from Fotolia.com
