I've been dealing with wooden windows in my old place for a few years now, and honestly, I've learned the hard way that regular upkeep saves a ton of cash down the road. One thing that really made a difference for me was coating the frames with linseed oil every couple of years—cheap, easy, and keeps the wood from drying out and cracking. Curious if anyone else has other handy tips or little tricks they've stumbled across...
Linseed oil's decent, but honestly, weatherstripping is the real MVP here. I added some inexpensive foam strips around my windows last winter—made a huge difference in drafts and heating bills. Plus, less moisture sneaking in means less rot and repainting down the line. Might not be as charming as linseed oil, but hey, I'll take efficiency over charm any day...
"Might not be as charming as linseed oil, but hey, I'll take efficiency over charm any day..."
Haha, totally get this! Just moved into my first place last year and quickly learned charm doesn't pay the heating bill. Weatherstripping was a lifesaver—cheap, easy to install, and the difference was instant. Still planning to try linseed oil in spring though... gotta keep some charm alive, right?
Weatherstripping's definitely underrated—made a huge difference at our place too. Have you looked into storm windows yet? They're not exactly charming either, but they help protect the wood and keep drafts out, so you might get away with oiling less often. Might be worth considering if you're trying to balance charm, efficiency, and budget...
Storm windows are a solid suggestion, though I've found the upfront cost can be a bit steep initially. Weatherstripping definitely helped me too—especially silicone-based strips, which seem to hold up better over time compared to foam or felt.
Good points on silicone strips—definitely worth the extra few bucks. A couple other things I've found helpful:
- Reglazing old panes can make a surprising difference. It's tedious, but keeps drafts out and moisture away from the wood.
- Linseed oil-based paint or primer helps preserve the wood longer. Bit pricier than regular paint, but cheaper than replacing windows down the line.
- Also, DIY interior storm panels using plexiglass sheets and magnetic strips saved me some cash. Not as sleek as store-bought storms, but hey, function over fashion, right?
"Reglazing old panes can make a surprising difference. It's tedious, but keeps drafts out and moisture away from the wood."
Couldn't agree more—reglazing is definitely a patience-tester, but worth it in the end. Took me a weekend (and some choice words...), but the difference was noticeable right away. Good tips!
Did you find any particular glazing compound easier to work with? I've heard mixed things about the newer latex-based stuff...wondering if it's worth trying or better to stick with traditional putty. Either way, props for tackling it yourself—definitely takes patience.
I've tried both, and honestly, the latex-based stuff isn't as bad as some make it out to be. Traditional putty definitely has that classic feel and durability, but it's messy and takes forever to cure. Latex glazing compound is easier to handle, cleans up quicker, and cures faster—big plus if you're short on patience like me. As for longevity...jury's still out. But if you're looking to simplify the job without sacrificing too much quality, I'd say give latex a shot.
I've been down this road myself, and honestly, latex glazing compound saved my sanity. A few years back, I tackled restoring some old wooden windows on my house—beautiful craftsmanship, but man, they were a nightmare to maintain. I started with traditional putty because, you know, "that's how it's always been done." But after spending an entire weekend covered in sticky goo and waiting forever for it to cure (seriously, watching paint dry is thrilling compared to putty curing), I decided to give latex a whirl.
Gotta say, latex glazing compound was a game changer. Easier cleanup, quicker drying time, and way less frustration. Sure, traditional putty might have the edge in durability over decades, but realistically, how many of us are planning that far ahead? If you're like me—someone who values sanity and weekends—latex is definitely worth considering. And hey, if it means I don't dread window maintenance anymore, that's a win in my book.