How to re-seal windows in old wooden frame?

Hello everyone!

I have been turning to these forums often to try and navigate various DIY projects since buying my first home, a little old fixer upper.

The windows are set into old wooden frames and they rattle when cars pull into the driveway.

I initially bought window and glass sealant, following guidance from this post: https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Living-and-Bedroom/How-to-seal-window-glass/td-p/259680

However, I've since noticed that most other posts refer to using only Selleys Linseed Oil Special Putty.

I'm struggling to find consistent information about how to tackle this, including how to scrape out the old putty, and if I even need to. This has been my biggest DIY struggle - the amount of different approaches for each task and not knowing which one is right for me (as someone who has never done any of this stuff before).

I also know the frames need sanding but across the whole place it seems like a big messy job which will require me to borrow a hose vacuum.

Any advice is welcome 😊

Ash

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Comments

EricL

Hello @anaedeia

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about re-sealing your glass window.

Would it be possible for you to post a picture of your window frame from the outside? We will then able to determine if your window is using Selleys 450g Linseed Oil Special Putty. It's a bit difficult to tell from the pictures you currently have. Once, we've confirmed that it is old linseed putty, you just need to use a metal scraper to scrape and remove the old linseed putty.

Eric

Ahayrsusa

Congrats on the first home, Ash — fixer-uppers can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s awesome that you’re diving in!

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/57209#Comment_57209

Hello @Ahayrsusa

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have you join us.

Let me tag @anaedeia to make them aware of your kind words.

Were keen to hear more about all your projects and plans around the house and garden. Please feel free to reach out whenever you need assistance or would like to share a project with the community.

Eric

anaedeia

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/57198#Comment_57198

Hey Eric,

Thank you so much for the quick response! It feels a bit like a celebrity writing back to me after spending so much time on these forums.

To my untrained eye, it doesn't look like there is any putty or sealant on the outside. Maybe it has worn away over time? The unit was built in the 70s and very little was done to maintain/upgrade it.

anaedeia

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/57209#Comment_57209

Thanks Ahayrususa 😊

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/90910#Comment_90910

Hello @anaedeia

Thank you very much for the compliment! It appears that your window is held in place with timber strips. Before taking the timber strips off, please note that working with glass is dangerous as an accidental hit with a tool or when too much force is applied to its surface can make it break and shatter causing injury. Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when working on your windows.

In order to get the strips to lift off, I suggest using a Craftright 3 Piece Wood Chisel Set along with a hammer. Your goal is to get the timber strips to lift up and off the window frame but not destroy it as you'll need to reuse it later on. I suggest placing your chisel just between the window frame and the strip itself.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

Eric

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/111392#Comment_111392

Good Evening @anaedeia

Before you seal/remove the timber I have a question 🙂

You describe that the window vibrates when cars drive past, Have you noticed if its only certain sounds that it rattles or all sounds? And If you happen to be next to the window when someone drives past can you put your hand on the window and see if the sound stops or you can still feel it?

The reason I ask is I have had a vibration issue in two different houses with cars on the street when they go past. The frequency of something (music/tune of the car, as in sound / type of engine) cause my main window to zzzzzzz like crazy. I think its matching harmonics with the sound and my window. Only happens for a few cars so its not an issue.

If your window stops vibrating when pressure is applied I am thinking it could be harmonics as well, If thats the case then maybe some weather strip down the edges of the window so when it closes its snug may stop the vibration.

Dave

AlanM52

Hi @anaedeia & @Ahayrsusa,

RE: they rattle when cars pull into the driveway.

How many windows and can you confirm they all rattle together.

We need to determine if there are many rattle points on the windows or maybe only a in few places.

Work around the edge of the glass pressing with the fingers and mark each point with masking tape.

If there are many you will likely need to follow @EricL's advice and remove the timber strips etc.

If there are only a few places where the window rattles you may be able to do a quick fix.

What I have done in the past (at the rattle point) is tap in a small brad nail between the glass and the window strip.

Simulate the rattling:

Do the windows rattle with a car idling in the driveway.

If not with someone in the car get them to slowly increase revs and there should be a point where the exhaust resonant point matches the window resonance - keep it there.

If all of that is too hard or doesn't make sense they will need to keep driving in and back out.

Cheers

AlanM52

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123121#Comment_123121

Good evening @Dave-1,

As they say we are on the same page:

Resonance: The reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighbouring object.

When cars pull into the driveway.

Cheers

anaedeia

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123121#Comment_123121

Hey Dave,

I think it is actually only certain cars/movements. Unfortunately it is often set off by a neighbour when I'm trying to get to sleep and the rattling is very loud so I end up getting cheesed off with the window.

I'm not sure what you mean by the weather strip, as the window that rattles is set into the timber frame. It doesn't open in any way, and I think weather strips are placed between two frames? Please let me know if I'm wrong! That is why I thought the best action would be to seal it all around given there is some evidence of old putty (on the inside) which has clearly deteriorated over time, but it's all sounding more complicated than that 😬

Let me know what you think. Thanks for the clue!

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130804#Comment_130804

Good morning @anaedeia

Whoops, I wa sthinking it was an old school window that pops outwards and up. The vibration still stands and especially now that you have mentioned that its only certain cars.

The thickness of the glass pane would effect the harmonics - Like a thin sheet of plastic can wobble more then a thick sheet.

Having the edges redone - This could firm up the edge with new timber strips (I dont hold high hopes)

Resealing the edges with new putty - I would try this as a first step but not confident 100% (maybe 60-70%)

Using window frosting (contact for privacy on windows) As a test Pillar 0.9 x 2m Embossed Frost Adhesive Window Film if you get desperate.

Replace glass in the window. - I would recomend a glazier for that one. They also may be able to suggest a work around. I am lucky with my lounge window as its a rarity with certain cars.

Just had a side thought, maybe you could try the contact trick with the bottom 1/3rd of the window and see before doing the whole window if you go that path.

Dave

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135534#Comment_135534

Hi @anaedeia,

There's a bit of information in this discussion to digest. Firstly, I wouldn't go removing any of the window timber. If it gets to that point, it would be best to enlist the services of a professional glazier. If the glass is loose in the frame, then we can pack it out instead of removing timber.

Go to the window and press the glass all around the perimeter. Is it loose anywhere? Does it wobble? As @AlanM52 was suggesting, inserting something between the pane and the frame can take up this wobble room and hold the pane in position. You could use a shaved-down matchstick or a paddlepop stick. You want to pack the area to prevent the movement of the pane. Once the pane can no longer move, you can run a bead of Selleys 310g Clear Glass Silicone Sealant around the perimeter of the glass between it and the timber. This will lock the packers in position and help prevent movement.

Regarding your question on silicone versus linseed putty, I see no evidence of putty on your window. Putty was used to seal the gap between the glass and timber in older homes, but it's a messy process, which I would avoid unless you are trying to match a period-correct finish.

Start by assessing the wobble and seeing if you can resolve it with packers.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

R4addZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138747#Comment_138747

Hi @anaedeia

I personally wouldn't try packing the gaps as any stress that puts on the glass could cause it to crack or shatter. and silly as this sounds, I as a telephone tech have had to do glazing (years back we had to look after telephone boxes in our areas and if any glass got broken, we had to replace it). My suggestion would be to mask round the glass and mask round the wood to only leave the gap between the two exposed and then run a bead of silicone round it and smooth it in, you can get a tool for this but a wet finger works quite well. then remove the masking tape before it sets. The silicone should stick to both the wood and the glass and stop the rattle. However if it still rattles you simply repeat on the inside and the glass will then be sandwiched between the two beads of silicone and ao should be unable to rattle.

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