What to Remember When Making Your Own Timber Window Repairs
Timber windows are typically somewhat easy to repair, as the wood of the windows can be sanded down and filled in with a filler material, and the wood then repainted or stained. In many cases, you don't even need to remove the window frame itself to make the repair but can do this while the window is still intact. While it may seem like an easy job for many homeowners, there are some mistakes to avoid along the way. Note a few things to remember about timber window repair here.
Use the right filler material
Epoxy is meant for concrete as it is made from a plastic base so it doesn't expand and contract. This is good for your concrete driveway, but the material can pull away from wood as the windows expand and contract with humidity and drying. Caulk is meant for tile in the bathroom and is also not meant to expand and contract; if caulk expanded with moisture absorption, it would rise and shrink every time you took a shower and your bathroom tile would crack very quickly! This too is also a poor choice for wood window repair. Instead, be sure you're using a wood filler that will seep into the pores of the wood and then also easily move with the material as it shrinks and expands with the humidity of your home.
Understand the different types of damage
Termite damage starts from inside the wood, as these insects eat out this inner core or burrow in and make a nest. If you simply fill in surface cracks, the wood won't be strong enough since the inner core is damaged; you need to fill in the inner area so the entire piece is strong and durable. Water damage to timber windows can cause the wood to become soft so it's more likely to crack; in this case you may need to replace a piece altogether, since that soft wood won't hold together even with filler.
Look for similar damage
Termites might choose just one area of the home to feed on at a time. Water damage might also happen to just one window that is below an area where your gutters overflow. However, if one timber window has pulled away from your home because of settling, chances are the other windows are also going to do the same and they may suffer cracks and similar damage. In this case, look for damage to other timber windows so you can make repairs before cracks and chips get overly large.
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