Caring for Historic Wood Windows

In this inaugural Window Hero Webinar, John Leeke, author of Save America’s Windows: Caring for Older and Historic Wood Windows, gives a fascinating history of how we got to today: people replacing irreplaceable wood windows with inferior plastic ones. He teaches wood window preservation techniques across the country to ensure the art continues.

“Consumer marketing had bamboozled most of the American people into believing that they could live like the rich and famous by buying disposable products and that their houses were maintenance free and needed air conditioning,” he explains in the webinar of what happened in the 1980s. “So little maintenance was done, many windows were painted shut, sealed up and forgotten to slowly rot and crumble away.”

Scott Sidler, of Austin Home Restorations and author of The Craftsman Blog, also presents in this inaugural webinar about why it’s important not to rip out old growth wood windows.

“It creates just so much extra waste in the landfill that’s completely unnecessary,” Scott says. “You’re removing a superior product even if it’s worn and beaten by the weather and years. It’s absolutely insane if you ask me – the idea that we’re taking out these windows that with a little care and maintenance can last centuries – and almost indefinitely if they’re cared for properly – to get a product in there that will not function as well or last nearly as long.”

WATCH THE WEBINAR:

NOTE ON LEAD PAINT: To stay safe during home renovations, please refer to this excellent lead safety guide developed by the EPA.