Doors and Windows - Window questions
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Window questions
Flospy
04-26-02, 10:45 AM
Hi there, as a pseudo-handy person & now a sudden homeowner, I am trying to learn to be "handier" and do a lot of repairs on my own. I have some window questions, if anyone has some advice.
Most windows in my house are metal... I am guessing not aluminum if they have rust. House was built in 1950 and windows are mostly original. I know the history of the house repairs for the last 20 years because I inherited it from my Dad.
How do you know when it's time to replace them? They all seem servicable and need a good painting, and replacing them would only be cosmetic at this point. Am I right, am I close? (I have driven around and I can say about 95% of the other houses in my neighborhood have newer windows).
What is the best way to remove rust and prep the window for a new painting? I have sanded and scraped lots of old paint off. Could the vibrations damage the windows if I took the electric sander to the paint?
What kind of caulking should I use between the window and sill, anything particular?
Also, I have a bay window with condensation between the panes. The window is about 15 years old, so I am supposing that I can have the glass replaced without the frame? I have seen lots of "deals" where you get a discount by having 4 or more windows done at once. Do contractors who do windows usually also do glass replacement, or is that a separate sort of thing? Or would I be better off replacing my whole window with something better quality?
Thanks!
Flospy in Virginia
P.S. After reading losts of posts here, I found out that replacing windows in a brick house is not something I can tackle when nec., thanks for that info.
Most windows in my house are metal... I am guessing not aluminum if they have rust. House was built in 1950 and windows are mostly original. I know the history of the house repairs for the last 20 years because I inherited it from my Dad.
How do you know when it's time to replace them? They all seem servicable and need a good painting, and replacing them would only be cosmetic at this point. Am I right, am I close? (I have driven around and I can say about 95% of the other houses in my neighborhood have newer windows).
What is the best way to remove rust and prep the window for a new painting? I have sanded and scraped lots of old paint off. Could the vibrations damage the windows if I took the electric sander to the paint?
What kind of caulking should I use between the window and sill, anything particular?
Also, I have a bay window with condensation between the panes. The window is about 15 years old, so I am supposing that I can have the glass replaced without the frame? I have seen lots of "deals" where you get a discount by having 4 or more windows done at once. Do contractors who do windows usually also do glass replacement, or is that a separate sort of thing? Or would I be better off replacing my whole window with something better quality?
Thanks!
Flospy in Virginia
P.S. After reading losts of posts here, I found out that replacing windows in a brick house is not something I can tackle when nec., thanks for that info.