Leaky Old Windows -- Help!

7 years ago

I'm nearing the end of my remodel of my 1920s house - and I now really HATE the old windows that we decided to keep in the house. I previously thought they were charming, but they are leaky and don't shut tightly. They look like they might be casement windows, but I'm not sure...they don't have the crank at the bottom. The way the windows operate is that you lift the lever at the bottom and then you push out the window. Some of the windows are kind of just permanently wedged slightly ajar -- I suspect it might have something to do with the many coatings of paint that the windows have seen over the past century. The leaky windows let in spiders, termites, and other critters (we live near mountains so there are many many small bugs). The windows are generally annoyingly drafty and drive me crazy. Short of replacing the windows, what can we do? What's the best solution here? Is there a cost-effective/quick solution, or are we looking at wholesale window replacement?

Thank you!!

Featured Answer

User

7 years ago

Replace.

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Comments (6)

PRO
toddinmn
7 years ago
Is the weather stripping and glazing In good repair? How is the exterior caulking? The windows may need adjusting from your description.
chesnaught thanked toddinmn
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PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
7 years ago
Short of replacing them, you need someone that is going to be good with steel casements and glazing.
chesnaught thanked Windows on Washington Ltd
Kathy Furt
7 years ago
My brother in law reglazed his windows for a 1920 bungalow. It took him years. Replace them all, new construction. Marvin is a good brand
chesnaught thanked Kathy Furt
Kathy Furt
7 years ago
I mean are they single pane too?? Soooo inefficient
chesnaught thanked Kathy Furt
chesnaught
Original Author
7 years ago
They are single pane, I believe. The contractor came by and said that the easiest thing to do other than replace them (or get them restored, which sounds like it would be equally, if not more, expensive), would be to seal them up with putty...which is what we've ended up doing for the time being. We just cannot handle a huge window replacement project right now. We ran out of money during the remodel and the windows are such a huge headache that we'll just have to confront later. The only windows that open in the house are real casements in the kitchen that we'll put screens on for airing out the house after cooking. The rest of the windows can all (supposedly) be opened, but I guess we should only do it in case of emergencies because, well, doing so would ruin the putty seal. Sigh.