Don’t Get Stuck Inside This Winter – What you need to know about hard to open windows.

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

If you find yourself crouched low to gravity, feet hip width apart, abs firm, elbows tucked, arms ready to lift and you’re not a sumo wrestler, you may have a problem of stuck windows.

Don’t get stuck inside this winter. If you’re wrestling with old or new windows you can do something about it before winter arrives. First, understand that humidity causes wood windows to swell, accumulated dust causes tracks to increase friction, and loose or faulty tension springs fail. It’s also possible that the installation wasn’t done correctly. If the window wasn’t installed perfectly square, if too much insulating foam was compressed in the wall cavity, or if setscrews weren’t properly adjusted - your window can be hard to open.

The simple anatomy a window

Windows operate on simple mechanical principles. Understand these and you can diagnose your window problem.

Single and double hung windows simply move up and down in channels in the window frame. Balancing mechanisms, such as rope and pulley, spiral or block and tackle, assist in raising and lowering the window sashes, and prevent them from sliding downward.

Andersen Casement Crank

Casement and awning windows operate by a crank handle and a track. The windows are opened and closed by means of a crank mechanism, which resides against the frame on the inside. The crank houses a series of gears inside a metal housing, which moves a control arm, attached to the sash, which slides along a track.

Sliding windows rely on rollers and a sliding track, like a sliding door. To open and close simply requires just a push.

Eliminate obvious maintenance problems

Often, the reason windows are hard to open and shut is because they’ve not been properly maintained. Windows are finely engineered, rely on moving parts, withstand extreme weather, and are built to last a long time. A well-maintained window will operate smoothly, year after year.

Pella Sash Removal

Single and double hung windows become difficult to open if there’s a buildup of dirt, dust, and debris. Over the years, friction from the buildup increases making the windows difficult to open and close. Try cleaning the window frames and spray with a non-silicone, solvent-free lubricant, opening and closing the window several times to work the lubricant.

If you have old painted windows check the sides of the sash to be sure they have not been painted (never apply primer or paint to the edges of the sash). If excess paint has been applies around the window frame and sill, gently slide a putty knife between the sash and the frame to release the paint. You might try using a hair dryer to blow hot air around the edge of the sash until you can move the window. After successfully releasing the window, lubricate the window frame interiors, channel guides, with pure paraffin candle wax, such as an unscented white votive candle.

Casements and awnings that are difficult to open and shut will require removing the sash (consult the instruction manual for your windows) and checking for stripped or loose screws. Lubricate the hinges with a non-silicone, solvent-free lubricant, and then open and shut the windows several times to work in the lubricant. It is helpful to keep the gears lubricated to make turning easy by applying a few drops of oil around the base of the handle if it’s difficult to turn.

Easy to clean sliders

Sliders that are difficult to open and close may simply require cleaning the roller system and track with a simple soap and water solution. If this doesn’t solve the problem, try lubricating the rolling system.

If the problem persists

After eliminating the obvious causes of hard to operate windows if you windows still don’t open with little effort, you’ll need to eliminate the most common repair problems. Failed or worn out pulleys or tension springs are common repairs for single and double hung windows.  Chipped, broken or bent gears require you to buy a whole new casement crank unit for your casement window. Broken wheels may need replacing on sliding windows.

Double Hung Balancer: ProSalesMag

Windows are basically simple mechanisms requiring only regular maintenance to work well.  Mechanisms can be faulty or wear out, which requires replacing parts, re-installing the frame or other repair.  These repairs may appear easy enough, but they can actually be tedious challenges better left to professionals who have mastered the art and science of window repair.

Woodland’s window manufacturer’s websites offer tips on window maintenance; check out Marvin, Andersen, and Pella.

Don’t get stuck inside this winter.

No Regrets Remodeling – Start with the Basics

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

When we think about remodeling our homes, we imagine a kitchen, bathroom, more space or maybe an outdoor patio. Few people dream about remodeling their home’s infrastructure, windows, doors, siding, heating and cooling systems, that sort of thing. The secret to no regrets remodeling is to start with basic home improvement and finish with the nice to have luxuries.

Home Maintenance

Marvin Integrity

It’s a well know fact among realtors and contractors that homebuyers prefer homes that have been well maintained.  If the windows are leaking or the patio slider won’t slide, buyers don’t care how beautiful the kitchen is. Buyers want the basic systems to work, well aware that maintenance can be costly, and people are afraid of that. On the other hand, if a buyer knows they don’t have to spend money replacing the basics, they’re more likely to buy the house and dream of their new kitchen.

Curb Appeal

The old adage that curb appeal speaks volumes about your home still holds true for real estate today.  If your home doesn’t feel welcoming because the windows need painting, the original front door is dated or perhaps the siding is faded, prospective buyers will simply drive by.

Where to Start

Don’t assume that every window or door has to be replaced. Take an inventory and note the location and condition of the windows and doors. You can begin by replacing the most damaged, highly visible or frequently used with new products.

If your home currently has wood windows and you want to do a partial replacement and you’re best advised to select from the new clad-wood replacement windows. With a wide range of color choices, including the option, with some brands to choose a custom exterior color, you’ll get the best match to your existing windows and the benefit of low maintenance. Marvin Ultimate is a good place to start. We also recommend other clad-wood replacement windows such as Marvin Integrity as a less expensive alternative or compare other top products like Andersen 400 Series or Woodwright and Pella Proline Designer or Architectural Series.

Ultimately if your plan is to replace all of your windows, then you may also wish to explore fiberglass windows as a less expensive replacement option. With fiberglass replacement windows you can get the look of wood exterior windows and choose to have a real wood interior to match your existing wood windows. Marvin Infinity windows are a great choice if you’re trying to match existing wood windows because they are made of Ultrex®,a pultruded fiberglass that offers greater strength than the comparable alternatives. This means that Marvin Infinity can create narrow profiles more similar to wood windows.

If your home currently has vinyl windows and you simply want to replace your old windows new vinyl windows it’s likely that they can be matched closely enough to allow you to replace them in phases as well.

New windows shine brightly and work effortlessly and that doesn’t go unnoticed from the curb or close up.

If you start with the basics, you’ll never regret your home investment and prospective buyers will be reassured that your home has been well cared for.

Next week we’ll look at where to start when replacing your old doors.

Want that Model Home Feel? Aim High.

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

New 8ft French Doors

Why do we feel happy when we walk into a model home? The best ones are the new high-end developments where the builders incorporate the latest features and materials. What you’re likely feeling is the sense of light, openness and a connection with the outdoors. How do they create that space? Today, homebuilders are using windows and doors in new ways that maximize the homeowner experience, leaving you wanting to move in. What if you could create this same feeling in your own home?

When you get back home, take a close look at your home’s windows and doors? Do they look undersized, do you have walls completely baron of windows, is your sliding patio door original, so that a Hollywood film producer could select your house for a remake of a 1950’s family TV series?

The feeling you had in the model home was likely because the windows and doors were chosen to obtain unobstructed views and lots of light. Manufacturers are making multi-panel glass and taller doors that flood rooms with light.

Old 6' 8" French Doors

If you want to achieve this look and feel in your home, begin by researching the two standard styles of patio doors, the patio slider or the French swing door(s). Within these two general categories you’ll find a plethora of options such as, French style sliding patio doors with two, three or four-panel configurations, folding doors and pocket sliders. Generally speaking, most people select a slider in the bedrooms, kitchen or family rooms and French doors are preferred for the more formal areas such as the dining or living rooms. From the start, check your answers to a few key questions.

√  What is the largest size that my current opening or wall can accommodate?

√  What direction does the foot traffic flow through the room to the outside?

√  Is there space to open French doors into the room? Could one door open and the second door remain stationary?

At this point you can check out the window showroom, because you have enough information to explore the best possibilities for your home. A few additional pieces of information will be needed before you proceed too far down the path. You’ll want to make sure your header is built according to code and has the proper load requirements for the wall. You’ll also need to measure the rough window openings from stud to stud. All of these are important perimeters that will allow you to choose from standard sizes rather than spending unnecessarily on custom sizes. Remember, when getting a window, write down the dimensions and always put the width first and the height second – always.

Once you’re in the showroom, remember to aim high and settle on the tallest doors your room can accommodate functionally and aesthetically – 8ft, 9ft, or 10ft.? This one feature will do more to give you the open and expansive feeling of a newly built home. Marvin, and Andersen offer these 8ft heights as standard sizes while Pella can accommodate 8ft heights. 

Marvin’s Remodeling & Replacement solutions guide is a great place to orient you to the options. Remember, if you want that model home feel – you’ve got to aim high.