Tools and Materials
Tools
Materials
- Epoxy for Exterior Use
- Epoxy-Based Exterior Wood Filler
- Sandpaper
- Painter’s Tape
- Weatherstripping
- Window Screen Patch
- Replacement Window Screen
- Pressure-Treated Lumber
- Exterior Wood Screws
- Exterior Nails
- Caulk
- Glazing Compound
- Replacement Glass
- Cleaning Gloves
- Primer
- Exterior Paint
- Silicone Hardware Lubricant
- Replacement Sash Window Locks
- Replacement Casement Window Latches
- Replacement Window Crank Handles
- Casement Window Operators
Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.
Fixing Window Frames and Sashes on Wood Windows
Without good maintenance, components of a wood window can rot, eventually requiring replacement of the window. The good news is that some window repairs can be do-it-yourself projects. Some DIY wood window repairs are relatively quick and simple, while larger repairs require woodworking experience. Learn how to make common repairs to a wood window and how to know if it’s time for a professional or for window replacement.
The Parts of a Window
Before you begin, make sure you’re familiar with the key parts of a window:
- Window sashes hold the glass. On an operable window — one that opens and closes — at least one sash moves to allow ventilation.
- Grilles or muntins secure individual panes on some wood windows with glazing compound. On other windows, they’re purely decorative.
- The window frame supports the sash or sashes. On an operable window the frame has tracks or a mechanism that allows the sash or sashes to move.
- The sill is the bottom piece of the frame. On the exterior, it slopes downward a bit to allow water to drain away.
- The stool is a small shelf at the bottom of the window frame interior.
How to Repair Wood Window Frames and Sashes
The tips below help you make common repairs to rotted wood on a single-hung or double-hung window — a window with one or two sashes that move up and down along tracks. However, you can also use the tips for frame and sash fixes to repair casement windows with wood frames and sashes.
If you have a multilevel home or aren’t comfortable working on a ladder, call a professional for the upper-level exterior inspections.
Paint on homes built before 1978 may contain lead. Check with your local health department or the Environmental Protection Agency if you have questions or concerns.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety recommendations for repair or cleaning products and wear work gloves when handling broken glass.
Assess the Damage
Find the areas of damage or rot. In some cases, rot is obvious, but also look for bubbled or peeling paint, misshapen components and cracks in the wood. If you suspect an area is rotted, try pressing a screwdriver against the wood, if the wood is spongy or breaks away, the wood is rotted. If you find rot, use the screwdriver to determine the extent of the rot. This gives you an idea of the size of the repair.
Repair Small Areas of Rot
You can typically repair small areas of rot with an exterior wood epoxy or epoxy-based wood filler.
- Use a wood chisel and hammer or a rotary tool with a grinding or routing bit to clear away the rotted wood. Remove all the rot until you’re cutting into sound, solid wood.
- Scrape away paint around the damage area. Brush or blow out any remaining debris.
- Protect adjacent surfaces with painter’s tape.
- Prepare the repair material. Epoxy and epoxy-based wood filler might require mixing. Follow the instructions for your repair product
- Use a putty knife to fill in the repair with the epoxy. Work the epoxy to match the surface or profile of the component you’re repairing. You can transfer the profile to a small piece of wood or plastic and use this to shape the material.
- Allow the epoxy to cure fully, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Sand, prime and paint the repair.
Wear eye protection when removing the rotted wood. If you use a rotary tool, wear a respirator as well.
When working with epoxy, wear cleaning gloves and any protective gear as recommended by the manufacturer.
A gloss or semigloss sheen is a good choice for a window exterior. Latex exterior paint offers easy cleanup and is less likely to yellow. Oil-based exterior paint dries with a harder, glossier surface.
Repair Large Areas of Rot on a Window Frame
If a large part of the wood frame is rotted, you likely need to replace the damaged piece. If you have DIY experience and knowledge of some woodworking techniques, you might be able to replace damaged boards on a wood window frame. If the sash has large areas of damage or you’re not comfortable disassembling the frame, leave the work to a professional or consider a window replacement.
- Raise the sash, if possible, to avoid damage. If you’re repairing a casement window, crank the sash open
- Use a pry bar to remove the damaged board from the frame. Be careful to avoid damaging the surrounding frame pieces.
- Measure the damaged board and note its length, width and thickness.
- Cut a pressure treated board to size, according to your measurements. Dry fit the piece to ensure it fits the repair area.
- Install the piece with exterior screws or nails.
- Pressure-treated lumber is typically wet with treatment chemicals. Allow it to dry completely. This might take several weeks.
- Mask the surrounding area, then prime and paint the new piece.
Wear eye protection, hearing protection and a respirator when cutting wood.
We have step-by-step instructions for repairing a sill on a wood window.
Other Window and Screen Repairs
There are a few other common repairs you might need to handle:
- If the glazing compound or putty around the window panes is cracked or missing, protect the glass then remove the material. Apply new glazing compound according to the package instructions.
- If a pane is broken, carefully cut away the glazing and remove the broken glass. Install the replacement glass and secure with glazing compound.
- If the caulk securing the window frame to the house is damaged or missing, remove the damaged material and apply new caulk.
- Secure loose screens. If the screens are operable, make sure they’re in the correct tracks and apply silicone hardware lubricant to the tracks if the screens are difficult to raise and lower.
- You can repair small holes in a window screen with patches. If the screen has significant damage, it’s a good idea to replace it with a new window screen.
- Replacing weatherstripping that has deteriorated or become damaged is a relatively simple window repair that helps improve your heating and cooling system efficiency.
Window Hardware Repair
Some window hardware repairs are DIY friendly. You can typically replace window locks, as well as casement window crank handles, operators and latches, easily. Purchase a replacement part, remove the damaged part and install the new part with the included screws, according to the instructions.
Damaged window tracks or the balancing hardware on a single- or double-hung window require professional repair or a window replacement. Repairing casement window arms and mechanisms is also often a job for a professional.
Window Repair for Homes With Help from Lowe’s
Fixing window frames with small areas of rot and damage on a wood window can be a DIY project with the right epoxy or epoxy-based wood filler. Larger areas of damage require some woodworking skills and may require professional repair or window replacement. Other types of window repair, such as recaulking, fixing a broken pane, replacing weatherstripping or installing new locks, are relatively simple DIY fixes as well.
Shop Lowes.com for the tools and materials you need for window repairs on your home. If it’s time for new windows, take a look at our guide to DIY window installation or learn about our window installation services. Or go to your local Lowe’s to talk with a Red Vest associate. They can give you tips on window repair and help you find the tools and materials you need to do the job. They can also help you arrange professional window installation, if necessary.