Everyone who owns an old house needs to know how to restore old windows. There are lots of them and they usually need a lot of work, but with the tutorials, tools, and supplies on this page, you can learn how to restore old windows like a pro, from a pro.
Your home’s old wood windows are some of the most valuable, yet misunderstood elements of a historic house. Most people find them painted shut with sash cords cut, and with missing bits and pieces of hardware. That’s the time they usually opt to start over with replacement windows.
But replacing historic windows is a big mistake and I don’t want you fall into it!
Reasons people choose to replace old windows:
- Inoperable windows
- Leaky and energy-inefficient windows
- Lead paint concerns
- Aggressive marketing from window companies
All these problems can be easily solved and you can make your historic windows just as efficient as a new window, but much longer lasting!
The Facts About Historic Windows
1. Repairable – Historic wood windows are designed to be easy to repair. Unlike replacement windows where the whole window unit must often be replaced or factory repaired if an issue arises, historic windows can be repaired piecemeal. Each individual piece can be repaired, restored, or replaced quite simply by the homeowner or local tradesman.
2. Upgradable – Your old windows may be drafty but they can very easily be weatherstripped and have storm windows (interior or exterior) added to dramatically increase their efficiency beyond even what new replacement windows can offer.
3. Simple to Maintain – Keep your old windows painted. That’s it! With some paint every decade or so, you can keep them protected and safe for decades longer than a replacement window will last.
4. Resilient – Being made from old-growth lumber, these windows (when properly maintained) can last for several centuries unlike replacement windows today which are obsolete within just a few years.
Now that you know the facts, you’ll want to know the how and what of repairing these old windows. So below I have included links to posts that detail exactly how to restore and care for these windows. I’ve also included links to where you can find the proper tools and products to use in the restoration process.
Old Windows Made Easy
First things first: if you want a comprehensive guide for the restoration of your wood windows you need to get a copy of my book Old Windows Made Easy. This book is the absolute simplest way to restore your wood windows. In this guide, I walk you through the entire restoration process step-by-step so as to leave no stone unturned.
This book will save you hours and hours of working time and thousands of dollars in restoration costs. You can learn more about the book here or order your copy now!
Not ready for the book? Then check out the information below for free and you’ll learn how to restore old windows at the pace you want.
The Techniques
- How To: Reglaze Old Windows
- Which Glazing Putty is Right For You?
- How to: Glaze Wood Windows
- How To: Open Stuck Windows in 4 Easy Steps
- How To: Remove Window Sash
- How To: Restring Old Windows
- How To: Remove Paint From Old Hardware
- How To: Replace Broken Window Glass
- How To: Weatherstrip Wood Windows
- A Window Glazing Tip & Trick
- How To: Work With Spiral Balances
Old Window Tools & Supplies
My favorite putty for wood sash. Fast skinning and ready for paint within 1 week. This linseed oil based glazing putty is for in shop glazing only.
A slow curing (2-3 weeks) glazing putty ideal for on-site repairs and steel or wood sash. Immense flexibility and long life is the name of the game for this linseed oil-based glazing putty.
My favorite and still undefeated champion of epoxies in my honest opinion. This easy to use wood epoxy is great for making almost any kind of repair to wood windows. From minor filling of rot, to complete reconstruction of profiles, this combination of epoxy filler and consolidant does it all with style.
Sampson #8 Spot Cord is the ideal sash rope for wood windows. Able to support up to 150 lbs it will support any size window, and that’s why it has been the industry standard for over 100 years.
An easy to use tool great for cutting sashes free from years of built up paint and caulk to get them working again. Its serrated edges provide a great cutting edge that helps keep other surfaces free of damage.
With 2 sides this glazier’s tool can be useful for those learning to glaze. I use only the beveled edge after years, which I find has the perfect bevel for glazing my windows.
For paint stripping infrared heat is a great way to get the paint off without damaging the surface beneath. Lose decades of old paint easily in minutes with this tool and keep yourself safe from lead paint by eliminating dust.
Faster and smaller than the Original Speedheater, this new addition to the line up is great for the small parts on windows like muntins. Softens paint in only 2-3 seconds and overall makes your life easier.
Simple to use and provides great hold for glass in wood sash. This style works great with the Fletcher glazing point setting tool below. For simple hand setting of points, this is the best choice.
Point driving guns can be expensive, but with this easy hand tool, you can set multiple styles of glazing points with one affordable tool. Sure, it might take a little longer than a gun, but it gets the job done all the same.
Need more help? Don’t be shy, become a Patreon! Being a Patreon is about how I can give you better access to me, so we can work together on your personal home projects. Whether you just want to chip in a couple bucks to support my website or you want some one-on-one coaching Patron is the place for you.
Click the link and join the Craftsman Patreon family!
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
I love old houses, working with my hands, and teaching others the excitment of doing it yourself! Everything is teachable if you only give it the chance.
Scott, we are in a 1897 Victorian House in St Louis and love it. I’m working on windows myself and need to find a supply for curved glass windows. I have two that are cracked and I want to replace them myself. Anyone you know of in zipcode 63108?
You’ve hit the ball out the park! Ineirdeblc!
We are restoring all the widows in our 1887 Tudor. Sadly some of the widows could not be restored and made operable agin. For Texas folks…… John with Wood Solutions in Galveston Tx has made several new windows for us including 3’x4′ casement, a142″ jamb and lower sash for a 9′ walk thru window ……. The other more common size sashes we have found at GHF Warehouse ( Galveston Historical Foundation) which has hundreds of original sash windows usually costing about $20 -$ 40 a sash……….. Hope this help some
We have windows made by ROW, Rocky Mt. VA and installed circa 1950. The windows are in great shape with the exception that a few of the sash cups aka retainers have pulled through the aluminum ‘jamb liners’. We have been trying to located the aluminum cups to repair the jamb liners. Have tried numerous window parts suppliers and would appreciate suggestions on other suppliers; we are now considering have them made by a machine shop.
Helen, for mid century window parts try Strybuc or Robert Brooke & Associates.
ALso suggestions for sealing the wood between the panes which looks like it had a clear sealant of some sort.
I have 1956 Pella roll screens and casement windows. Most of the latching hardware will not latch and the windows need a lot of TLC and paint/sealant. They are the type with inside storm panes with aluminum frames and swing clips. The sashes are wood. I would like to rebuild them one at a time and clad the exterior in aluminum. There doesn’t seen to be any companies locally that clad. Any suggestions as to where to find replacement hardware and a copany that couold provide cladding for my install?
Try or Strybuc for replacement hardware. Not sure of any companies that do cladding.
Hi Scott,
Thanks for this. I just moved into the first floor of an 1899 townhouse in Greenwich Village in NYC. Do you know anyone in the NY area who can help fix my old wood casement windows?
The third floor of 1 side of our home has a pair of mirrored casement windows opening outward, same size, both with a “sunrise” motif above them.
The sash on one of them is a “Frankenstein”, composed of pieces of at least 2 other sashes (that are not identical) that have nothing in common with the matching/facing window/sash.
So, I was on the hunt to get sash material to match the “good” window…
then I realized that the other two windows do not match each other, nor do either of them match the other “good” one. And none of them have the original glass to suggest if any of them is original. So, I’m going to check out some architectural salvage places for hints some cold rainy day.
FWIW, I did find a local lumber company in philly that will mill any trim or sash stock for you, if it is in their collection of knives (thousands) for a $75 set up fee plus (they can make a knife for extra).
Mike- Curious who you found in Philly that will mill the trim work. We had a fire in our old house and are trying to see if we can salvage some of the trim work. Thanks, anna
Sorry I didn’t see this earlier.
Tague Lumber is who I was talking about. I haven’t used them, at least not yet, as I am still looking to salvage the small amounts I need while doing the other 35 thousand projects that need to be done…
Hi Scott,
I’m tackling the restoration of my wood windows in my nearly 100 year old home. This past week-end was my first day/attempt and I’ve noticed my windows maybe not as old as I thought they were. They are all wood w/rope and pulley but the rope isn’t interwined into the wood frame of the window, it was notted and nailed into the side. I’m thinking there must of been a rehab done to my windows sometime in the 50’s maybe??? I know the back half of my house was an addition so I think maybe I still have some 100 year old windows somewhere in my house unless it was a complete renovation. Anyways my question is are these windows from mid-century (possibly) still worth saving??? I hate replacement windows but I’m a little bummed that my windows are not as old as originally thought.
Marissa, send me a picture to scott@thecraftsmanblog.com. I’m curious to see exactly what your talking about.
Hi Scott! I’m buying a 1911 farmhouse in Ohio with a split personality…the interior looks beautiful and well-preserved, but outside all the windows were replaced with picture-framed vinyl windows in the not-too-distant past.
I want to return my facade to its former glory, but I’m a little stumped…how do I know what that glory should look like? 2 over 1? 6 over 6? Is there a good way to find out?? I’ve got a picture of it on the front page of my site. Thank you!
Heidi, congrats on the big purchase! The best way to tell what your windows looked like is to find an old picture of the house (not always easy to do). The next best thing is to look at houses of similar age and style in your local area and see what their original windows looked like. Good luck!
Thank you! And great news!! We found the ORIGINAL 1911 blueprints tucked in the drawer of the built-ins, and it shows the original windows as having been 6 over 1. So my next move is going to be to have these paper gems restored to the extent possible and preserved.
Hi…we had a fire in our 1890 Rhode Island home. It is a complete gut. All the windows were broken out and we are really having some problems restoring them. We were hoping to have someone build new sashes but having some difficulty finding someone that can do that work, and of course we have a limited budget….any suggestions? Many thanks, love your website!
Nikki, Not sure where you are in RI, but it’s not exactly a huge state. Try contacting Heritage Restoration (401) 789-9347 in Wakefield, RI or Highland Restoration (401) 742-1540 in West Kingston, RI. They should be able to take good care of you!
Are there restorers in the southern Virginia area for repairing window frames in a 112 year old home?
Wilma, Eco-Strip has many contractors on our list who do window restoration or general historic restoration. Email me at cbrooks@eco-strip.com with your local phone AREA Codes and we can do a search for you.
My husband and I are in the process of purchasing my aunts 117 year old victorian. Most of the windows are original except for 2. The curved glass in the turret is even still in tack. However, the windows need some care. Right now we are planning replacement, but I just read your blog and wonder if we should try to repair. I’m worried about lead paint and some of the tops are diamond pattern that is bowed out. I’ve found someone in our area to help with the curved glass windows, but he’s scheduling for a year out! Any thoughts you had would be welcomed. Thanks.
Torrie, Replacement windows are almost always a bad decision despite the incredible claims they make. The only situation where lead paint is an issue is if the paint is peeling or falling off and if you have children under 6 or are pregnant. If the paint is still in decent shape inside the house I would schedule the window restoration (even though it is a year out). They have lasted 117 years so they can probably make it 1 more. If the restoration company is scheduling that far out it usually means they are pretty darn good!
You can always try the windows yourself. They are not too difficult once you get the hang of it. I’ve got plenty of tutorials here to help you along the way too.
hi! I just happened upon while asking about my thick walls and have a question..is there a resource or even a market for taking out the newly(but still kinda old)replaced windows in my hundred plus year old house and replace them back with around the same originals? The several owners before me gutted my house of everything original even down to the doors and replaced them with hollow slabs so im trying to put things back into place a little at a time! thanks so much!
Stephanie, there is a market and many sources around the country like my company here in Orlando who build historic replacement windows that are made exactly the same way as the originals. It’s a worthwhile investment because of the longevity of the windows and the ability to restore the original appearance.
I have some old single hung wooden window. It can lift up but can’t stay so it close again. Is any one can help me to fix it. We are in Northern California bay area
Some of our windows have problems not only with the windows, but with the framing being rotted away. There are places where there is some type of old metal weather-stripping that fits into groves in the side of the window that is flapping in the breeze with no wood behind it.
Scott, does your ebook or the window standards book cover dealing with these kinds of problems as well?
(I have more disposable time than disposable income to hire a pro!)
The National Window Standards developed by a collaborative of over 100 people is now available to the public at http://www.windowstandards.org. It provides a list of tools needed, steps, and methods of evaluation for every part of restoring an old wood window. Check it out.
Thanks for sharing Catherine! I’ve already hot my copy and it is a fantastic resource.
I had seen and purchased a replacement stop for old windows made from pvc with fibers on one side to block air and ease movement. I cant seem to find it anywhere now. Are you familiar with such a product and where it can be purchased? Thanks for any help.
I’m not familiar with that product, but there are plenty of weatherstripping options you can add to either the stop or the sash itself. Try http://conservationtechnology.com/ for tons of weatherstrip options for old windows.
I really like your videos. I was really nervous about doing my windows. I also found a cool set of 3 tools at eco-strip.com for $99 which had a rolling chisel and a great round-pointed scraper. Both helped me clean off the heater-softened glazing and even paint carefully.
Hi Scott, we have a 1947 ranch home in San Diego, CA with a 5’x6′ wooden picture window that has the outer sill and framing rotted out from a combination of water and termites. We are looking for someone that can repair or help us repair the window. All the contractors that came over to do an estimate for the repair try to convince us to just replace it with a vinyl one. Know anyone who appreciates wooden windows in Southern California that we could call?
I don’t know anyone in Southern Cali, but I know someone who might be able to help you. John Leeke from http://www.historichomeworks.com compiled a list of historic window contractors across the country in his book Save America’s Windows.
Great resource page, Scott! Thanks for putting it all together for us!