Latex definitely has its perks, but I wouldn't dismiss traditional putty quite so quickly. Just finished restoring some windows myself (first-time homeowner here, still learning the ropes), and here's what I noticed:
- Traditional linseed oil putty is messy and slow, no argument there. But once you get the hang of it, it's surprisingly forgiving—easy to reshape or smooth out if you mess up.
- Latex glazing dries faster, sure, but that quick drying can actually be a downside if you're still figuring out your technique. Less room for error.
- Durability matters more than you might think. Even if you're not planning decades ahead, do you really want to redo this job every few years? I'd rather spend one frustrating weekend now than multiple weekends down the line.
- Also, traditional putty seems to bond better with older wood frames (at least in my limited experience). Latex sometimes struggles to adhere properly if the wood isn't perfectly prepped.
Not saying latex isn't a solid choice—just that traditional putty still has its place, especially if you're aiming for longevity and don't mind a bit of a learning curve.
I recently tackled a similar project on our old house, and I can relate to the learning curve you're describing. Initially went straight for latex glazing because it seemed simpler and quicker, but found myself frustrated when it dried before I could smooth it out properly. Ended up switching halfway through to traditional putty, and yeah, it was messy and slower, but honestly, the results were noticeably better—especially bonding-wise. Guess there's a reason traditional methods stick around, huh?
"Ended up switching halfway through to traditional putty, and yeah, it was messy and slower, but honestly, the results were noticeably better—especially bonding-wise."
Totally agree with you there. I went through a similar experience a few years back when restoring our old farmhouse windows. Thought I'd save time with latex glazing too, but it just didn't hold up well over the seasons—cracked way sooner than expected. Traditional putty might test your patience, but it's worth it in the long run. Plus, properly glazed windows really help cut down drafts and energy bills... win-win in my book.
Had almost the same issue when I redid my porch windows last summer. Thought I'd be clever and use latex glaze to speed things up, but nope...ended up redoing half of them again this spring because of cracking. Traditional putty is definitely slower, but it just seems to flex better with weather changes. Sometimes the old-school methods stick around for good reason, huh? Learned that one the hard way.
Yeah, latex glazing can be tricky—it dries fast but doesn't handle weather swings well. Traditional putty's definitely more forgiving. If you prep the wood properly and prime before glazing, you'll get even better longevity...worth the extra effort in my experience.
"Traditional putty's definitely more forgiving."
True, traditional putty is forgiving, but man... waiting for it to cure tests my patience. I've found priming thoroughly and applying thin layers helps speed things up without sacrificing durability. Still skeptical about latex though—never had much luck there.
I've had mixed results with latex myself. Tried it on a client's older wooden windows last summer—looked great at first, but started peeling way sooner than I expected. Traditional putty's slow cure is a pain, yeah, but at least it's predictable. Might give your thin-layer approach a shot next time though... anything to speed up that waiting game.
Had similar issues with latex myself—seems like prep is key. If the wood isn't bone-dry or perfectly primed, peeling happens fast. Your thin-layer idea sounds promising though... might help speed things up without sacrificing durability. Worth a shot at least.
Totally agree on the prep—been there, peeled that. Another trick I've found helpful is sanding lightly between coats. Sounds tedious, but trust me, it smooths things out nicely and helps the paint stick around longer... bonus points if you blast some good tunes while sanding.
- Sanding between coats does help, but honestly, I've skipped it a few times and didn't notice a huge difference long term.
- Did a full sanding job once on some old sash windows—had the radio blasting classic rock to keep me sane... still felt like forever.
- Agree prep matters, but I've found paint choice makes a bigger difference. Switched to oil-based primer under latex topcoat—windows held up noticeably better.
- Also, don't underestimate caulking properly. Learned that lesson after a winter of drafts and peeling paint.
- Bottom line: good prep helps, but sometimes it's about finding the balance between effort and payoff.