Traditional sash and case windows are a common element in Scottish homes. Treated properly and regularly maintained, they should last decades. We asked some experts for their tips on repair and maintenance. When you are faced with rotten windows and doors, there are plenty of ways to restore the surfaces to a solid substrate you can paint.
Many sash and case windows are more than 100 years old, so there’s no reason why their life can’t be extended with a bit of careful restoration. We partnered with and spoke to Repair Care – manufacturers of resin that has been specially developed to fill the gaps in wooden windows and doors. What’s more, the repairs can last for up to 10 years if done correctly.
Repair Care
Firstly, it’s important to cut or rout the dead and decaying wood from the area. Any paint should also be removed, as it can interfere with the resin and destabilise it. Good power tools will be your friend here, and it’s worth considering a dustless system if you haven’t already got this in place. The affected wood should be removed until you can only feel solid, healthy wood – and before you begin any filling work, you should check the surface with a moisture meter. The reading should be less than 18 per cent. You may need to wait a day or so for the wood to dry out.
Large areas of damage will need to be plugged with wood and filled with resin. This saves on resin but also helps make the repair stronger. Once dry, you can fill the affected area with Repair Care Dry Fix Uni. This hardens the wood and allows a strong bond between the next layer of filler. When ready, you can butter in the resin of your choice (Dry Flex or Bio Flex, depending on the hole depth and temperature conditions). You can shape while the resin is still workable, and once dry, sand to the desired shape and finish. Paint can then be applied.
It should be noted that, for the Repair Care 10-year warranty to be awarded, the work should be carried out by someone who has attended a Repair Care training course. In addition, a member of the Repair Care team should either visit the job site or review photos of the affected areas at all stages of the repair process. Repair Care also makes an alternative to traditional linseed oil putty.
Putty is great, but it needs 28 days to dry before overpainting. Repair Care’s Dry Seal can be painted in just two coats, and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between it and traditional putty. It comes in 290ml tubes that can be applied with standard dispensers. See repair-care.co.uk for more information about training courses and products.
Toupret
We also spoke to Freddie Walton, Product Marketing Manager at Toupret – a manufacturer of fillers for all substrates. With the summer months bringing better weather, many of you will have started to take on more jobs outdoors, with customers keen, at this time of year, to have work done to wooden surfaces, such as repairs to doors and window frames.
It makes sense to take advantage of the dry weather to carry out this type of work, but it’s also important to ensure that the preparation before painting is done properly to prolong the life of your repairs. Sash windows are a common feature of house painting that need regular care and maintenance.
Exposed to the elements, they are affected by humidity, expansion and contraction and general wear and tear from repeated opening and closing. They’ll need to undergo some filling and repairing at some stage in their life, and we at Toupret have some tips on how to do it effectively. The golden rule: Make sure the surface is hard, cohesive, clean, sound and dry. Whether it’s a light fill or a more substantial repair, a filler needs these conditions to effectively bond to the surface.
As wood is prone to damp, you may need to use a wood hardener. Toupret Wood Hardener is a deep penetrating water-based hardener for toughening rotten wood before filling or overcoating. If the wood has been previously painted or treated, sand it back to bare, then apply a generous amount using the built-in brush in the cap until completely saturated. The solution will turn colourless as it dries.
