 | Bob Crager of Lewis Street Glass is a 26 year veteran in the glass business. Lewis Street Glass is a leading Wichita Glass company, serving the entire Wichita/Sedgwick County area since 1919. They do anything and everything having to do with glass, both residential and commercial. They also do Auto glass. They are located at 743 South Market, facing Kellogg on the South, and you can reach them by phone at (316) 263-8259. You can email Bob Crager at bcrager@lewisstreetglass.com |
Glass
2004-03-01 16:16:00
Dry rot on windows
: I see dry rot on my window frames… what now?
ANSWER: I know that there is a large segment of the population that believes that the skill level for properly maintaining the windows in their home is above and beyond them, and I would like to dispel that notion. For someone with some basic knowledge of working with wood, and a desire to do things themselves, this job is doable and enjoyable too.The windows in your home can be the largest single area of heat loss and/or gain. The window pane areas, as found in older homes, were single panes of glass, and did not allow for effectively stopping the transfer of heat from or to the inside of the home. The glass was also, in earlier times, produced in such a way as to create a “wavy” look as you peered through the window. In homes built back around the turn of the last century and before 1900, you can tell if the window panes are original to the home many times by just looking to see if the glass produces a “wavy” look. This happened back then because of the materials used, and the manner in which they were used. Later, as the business began to attract others who spent the time and effort to reform the processes, the glass began to be produced basically without imperfections or “wavy” appearances as you look through it. Today, glass is produced that is so crystal clear that you can hardly see the glass at all.In replacing window glass, you should first determine the physical condition of the window frames, sill plates, and the other window components that make up the parts into which the glass is installed. The presence of dry rot, which is manifested by the decay or softening of the wood around the window and/or frame, indicates that the integrity of the frame holding the glass is compromised, and that part of the wood will need to be replaced before installing new glass. In the case of thermo-pane windows, the decay of the wood will usually result in the loss of the seal in the glass, which makes the windows have a milky, not clear look. Now don’t be afraid…this process is not rocket science. In most cases, there is an obvious step by step process by which you can remove the actual window from the frame in which it was installed. By taking the window out, and visiting your local window glass dealer with it, you and they can determine if the frame around the glass is available for replacement. If it is, the dealer can get the frame that exactly matches your frame ordered, as well as the right replacement glass. In homes with the crank-out windows and thermo-pane glass, sometimes the replacement of the frame or partial frame, together with replacement of the unit of 2 pane glass, is much less expensive than total window replacement. While the window is out of the opening, you can check out and replace the surrounding wood sills, as well as the vertical frame wood, if needed. A little caulking, a coat of primer, a final coat of good enamel paint will prepare your opening for the reinstallation of the window. Pride of a job well done is just one of the benefits of doing this kind of work yourself. If you don’t feel qualified to complete this task, your local glass dealer can provide you with skilled help to get the job done. Keeping your windows in great shape can have a big effect on the value of your home, not only while you live there, but especially if you need to sell it. If you have bad windows, the appraisal and repair requirements will be directly and negatively affected.
