Repairing wooden windows
Carpenter specializing in the restoration of wooden windows
We restore wooden windows and make repairs to improve their proper functioning.
Adjustments and modifications to improve the insulation of windows and balcony doors. We repair glass and modify windows to install Climalit double-glazed units.
If you have wooden windows that don't fit properly or don't insulate correctly, we recommend requesting an assessment for their restoration before replacing them with aluminum or PVC windows. We can help and advise you without obligation.
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Restore the wooden windows or replace them?
If your windows have lost their effectiveness, the first step is to determine whether they need maintenance, professional restoration, or if it's time for a replacement.
We specialize in the restoration and conservation of wooden windows.
Heritage Specialists: Management and Restoration in Barcelona
Working on listed buildings in Barcelona requires technical expertise and a thorough understanding of the regulations. We offer a comprehensive service that goes beyond carpentry.
Legal and Aesthetic Guarantee for Your Project
We are experts in the regulations of the City Council and the Heritage Department, which allows us to carry out window restorations that strictly comply with all legal and aesthetic requirements.
We take care of all the necessary documentation to ensure that your restoration project is viable and receives administrative approval from the relevant authorities.
The Key: The Technical Intervention Report
To guarantee feasibility and approval, we prepared an impeccable Technical Justification of the Intervention:
- Detailed Technical Report: A crucial document that justifies the need for restoration versus replacement, based on the preservation of the property's heritage value.
- Administrative Approval: This report is the essential tool to expedite permits and get the green light for your project.
If your property is listed, don't settle for just any carpenter; choose a heritage expert. We guarantee technical excellence and administrative peace of mind.
Window restorations in Barcelona
Over time and with lack of maintenance, wooden windows become misaligned and do not insulate well from inclement weather, causing air, water and humidity to enter the home, resulting in a considerable loss of energy savings.
This lack of long-term maintenance causes wood rot, starting in the most exposed parts of the wood, such as the sills and lower frames. WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
Rubber seals or weatherstripping are an important part of insulation to consider. CHECK OUT OUR BLOG ON INSULATION
Window and balcony door hinges also require minimal maintenance, such as lubricating the axles; this lack of care sometimes causes wear and tear and makes it necessary to replace them.
Window and balcony door locks can be of various types, such as espagnolettes, crenellations, etc. These wear out with use, and if you need to replace small hardware components or the entire lock, we also perform these services.
Window restoration is usually the most economical option compared to the cost of replacing them with new ones, and it doesn't always achieve the perfect thermal insulation desired, but we always carry out all possible restoration work to achieve the best result.
Windows of historical value in Barcelona
Wooden windows and balconies are of fundamental importance in the facades of Barcelona.
They are part of our city's history and a legacy that must be protected. Many of Barcelona's building facades have architectural value and are protected by law, so they cannot be replaced without consulting current regulations.
The renovation of wooden windows on the facades of protected buildings is always carried out while maintaining the original aesthetic, without altering any elements, and with the necessary authorization and building permit from the city council. To protect the common and historic facades of our city, they must always be restored; replacing them with windows made of other materials is not permitted.
In extreme cases where the windows are too deteriorated and restoration is not possible, new windows must be manufactured replicating the same design and with the same type of wood.
Restoration of wooden balcony railings
"The characteristics of wood offer thermal insulation 6 times greater than ceramic, 15 times greater than concrete, and 400 times more insulating than steel."
Because balcony doors are larger than windows, sometimes the shutters don't fit properly and the locks are forced or don't work well.
We offer solutions for any problem you may have with wooden balcony railings.
We replace custom-made espagnolettes, and we repair or replace small parts of the locks that deteriorate.
We replace all types of locks on windows and balcony doors.
IF YOU NEED A QUOTE, CONTACT US TO ARRANGE A VISIT.
Glass repairs and replacement
Restorations and improvements can be made to the exterior woodwork and replacement of the glass, and if necessary, maintaining the same aesthetic as the communal facade.
We specialize in the restoration of wooden windows while maintaining the design of the common facades of Barcelona.
We can replace the glass in our windows to improve insulation and at the same time save energy by installing double-glazed windows with a thermal break.
We manufacture all the wooden elements to maintain the aesthetic image of the facades in Barcelona.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GLASS?
The best insulation for a wooden window
A well-insulated window protects us from the outside, both from the cold in winter and the heat in summer, resulting in considerable savings on the energy bill.
It is very important that the installation of the window or balcony door is correct and that the joints between the wood and the structure are well sealed.
The type of glass installed is very important; ideally, a double-glazed unit with an air gap.
Also very important are the rubber seals or weatherstripping around the entire perimeter of each window at the joints, sash rebates and frames.
Wood is a living material that contracts and expands depending on the season and humidity, hence the importance of the quality of the joints.
Adhesive seals are a quick and economical solution, but in the long term they peel off and deteriorate, losing their effectiveness.
RECESSED RUBBER GASKETS THE BEST OPTION
Want to know more about window insulation?
How much does it cost to repair wooden windows?
To provide a quote for any restoration work on wooden windows, it is always necessary for a professional to visit the site to assess the condition of the woodwork, and whether it is possible to replace the glass and what type of glass can be installed.
The weak point of windows and balcony doors is always in the lower areas and in the areas where the greatest humidity accumulates, affecting wood that is not well protected.
It is necessary to check the condition of the gutters and the lower risers where all the moisture accumulates.
Sometimes it's not just about replacing the glass; it's also important to adjust the windows or balcony doors to the frames and seal the joints, which can often be solved by installing weatherstripping embedded in the frame rebates.
The adjustments of the locks also have a significant impact; in old windows in Barcelona, very effective espagnolettes are common, provided that basic maintenance is carried out.
How long can a wooden window last?
It can last a lifetime! A well-installed and properly maintained window is incomparable to an aluminum or PVC window (to each their own). The warmth and beauty of wood are unmatched by metal or petroleum-based plastics. However, they do require long-term maintenance, and if you use the best products to protect the wood, you won't have any problems. Let us explain...
How to restore a window?
First, we will need to assess the condition, checking the window sashes, frames, locks, the condition of the sills, the insulation seals, the condition of the wood, the condition of the paint or varnishes, and the glass.
Primarily, if the opening and closing mechanism is not functioning correctly, adjustments must be made to the wood and, if necessary, the closures must be replaced.
Remove the windows and check the hinges; if necessary, replace them or lubricate the hardware.
Remove any damaged wooden parts, sand the varnish or paint, and use exterior fillers to cover gaps and imperfections.
Wooden windows over 100 years old
More and more customers are asking us to restore their old wooden windows. The wood used 50 years ago for joinery and carpentry came from decades-old trees in our forests, specifically Scots pine (Pinus melis), a harder wood than those typically used today, such as Flemish pine, to reduce costs. This is not to say that they are of lower quality.
Old windows that have not suffered excessive wear and tear, are not affected by woodworm, nor are they excessively rotten from dampness can be perfectly restored and given many more years of life.
If these woods have lasted until today without the treatments we can currently apply to them, imagine the life they will have left if we restore them and apply the new products that exist today.
We provide free, no-obligation quotes for restoring your wooden windows to the highest quality standards, and you can evaluate this option before replacing them with aluminum or PVC windows.
Replace the glass panes with Climalit glass
Yes, you can replace the glass in wooden windows with glass of better quality and different thickness.
To confirm this, you need to inspect your windows and see what condition they are in. Generally, if the structure has an acceptable thickness and the hardware can support the weight of the new glass, there should be no problem making the change.
To integrate double glazing into windows or balcony doors, a modification must be made to the rebates of the leaves, making a rebate in the wood that adapts to the new thickness of the glass.
To carry out this work, which can be done on site or in our carpentry workshop, we use the appropriate machinery for each type of window and are performed by experienced professionals.
Types of glass for wooden windows
To improve the thermal insulation of our home, the best option is to replace the old windows with new double-glazed ones.
We can install double-glazed windows with thermal insulation, solar control, reinforced glass, and safety glass. Transparent and opaque.
Double glazing panes are custom-made and available in different thicknesses.
Depending on the type of wooden window to be restored, we will advise you on the possibilities and adapt to your needs.
Contact us for more information.
Window glass replacement
We replace the glass in windows and balcony doors with double-glazed, laminated glass with a Climalit-type air gap to improve the thermal insulation of your home and enhance security.
Traditionally, single-pane glass was used in exterior carpentry; nowadays, there are different types of window glazing that offer considerable improvements to consider.
Window glass repair
We also repair window, balcony and door glass by replacing it with glass of the same dimensions and characteristics.
Repair window glazing beads
Replacing wooden window glazing beads
The glazing beads in a wooden window are the pieces that hold the glass in place and, in addition to preventing the glass from moving, they are part of the window's insulation.
Maintaining the rushes
It's common for the glazing beads at the bottom of windows to deteriorate, as they bear the brunt of the load, retaining water and daily humidity before natural evaporation. The wooden glazing beads begin to peel away from the varnishes and paints that provide protection. At the same time, high temperatures and sunlight significantly affect the wooden elements that retain moisture day after day. To prevent premature deterioration, regular cleaning and drying of the glass and wood of the windows after rain is recommended.
When you see the first signs of deterioration, you can gently sand the wood and apply new protective coatings.
If you need help, ask us.
Types of rushes
Currently, we always install wooden glazing beads, straight strips or small custom-made moldings, always adapting the glazing beads to the type of window and glass installed.
Old rushes
In the past, glass panes were fixed with a mixture of chalk and linseed oil, resulting in a beige paste with a foul odor, hence its nickname "fish paste" due to its resemblance to fish. This stained-glass paste, which sets within a few days, is still found in many old, now-obsolete windows, as it eventually cracks and detaches, causing instability in the glass and poor insulation.
Repairing a drip edge
Replacing window sills
The drip edge is the last wooden element that prevents water from entering the interior of the house.
At the bottom of every window, this molding must be installed, which protects the lower frame and, as its name indicates, performs the action of pouring water to the outside, also called a drip edge or water breaker.
If the drip edge is damaged, worn, or rotten, it's time to perform maintenance or remove it and replace it with a new one.
Repair window locks
Replace window locks
A window that doesn't close properly is a major nuisance, in addition to providing poor insulation. A poorly sealed window doesn't guarantee complete thermal or acoustic insulation, and certainly doesn't guarantee the security of your home. Neglecting to keep a window properly closed can cause other problems in the long run, such as water leaks on rainy days that damage the interior of the wooden frames.
We repaired the mistake.
Espagnolettes are the classic locks most commonly installed on wooden windows in Barcelona.
This type of lock is always custom-made to order. There are several designs, some more effective than others, but if well maintained, they have a long lifespan. Sometimes we find these locks painted and repainted, which hinders their operation. However, since the old bolts are made of very high-quality iron, they can be restored by stripping the paint and returning them to their original condition.
We also repair the smallest metal parts of these closures that ensure their proper functioning.
Blind repair
We repair blinds, replace blind straps and perform maintenance.
We replace blind tapes or straps. Free quote.
Tilt and turn window repair
Having trouble with your tilt and turn window?
These windows are very practical and have particular and somewhat complicated fittings that, if not regularly maintained, can stop working; if we force them continuously, these fittings wear out and eventually break.
Sometimes the hardware on these types of windows stops working properly, they don't adjust, they don't close properly, or they get stuck and we can't open them.
Do you have a tilt-and-turn window that's stuck?
We'll fix it; it might be a bit complicated to repair, but everything has a solution.
If necessary, we will replace the damaged hardware with new ones; we will find a solution.
How to repair a wooden window?
If the window frame is completely deteriorated or rotten, it's best to replace it entirely. However, if only a specific area is damaged, it can be repaired. Most commonly, the parts most exposed to the elements will show the most wear and tear and can be replaced. If it's just a specific section of wood, it can also be repaired by replacing it. The affected area is cleaned and replaced with wood of the same type, ensuring a good joint and glue. The area is then sanded and painted or varnished.
How to unlock a window?
Is your window not opening? First, check that the lock is working properly. If the locking mechanism is broken or malfunctioning, there are several solutions depending on the model. If it's a mortise lock, you'll have to remove the handle and try to force the internal mechanism with a tool.
If you have an external lock, remove the hardware that blocks the opening.
If the problem isn't with the lock, the window sash is likely stuck in the frame. In this case, use a putty knife or other flat tool and gently pry it open from the sides, top, bottom, and opening of the window, being careful not to damage the wood. It will gradually open.
Treatments for wooden windows
Depending on the condition of the wood in the wooden windows, several options are possible:
If the wood is affected by woodworm, there are products to solve the problem; we can apply them.
However, if the wood has parts affected by moisture, the damage must be assessed. Sometimes it can be fixed by applying a sealant to the joints. If the problem with the window wood is more widespread, the affected parts of the window wood will have to be repaired and replaced. For minor cases, special exterior fillers can be applied.
After carrying out a conditioning of the window carpentry we move on to varnishing.
We always recommend applying protective products to the wood of our windows and then proceeding to varnishing, which can be done with a colored dye or painting them with suitable enamels.
It depends on the condition of the wood in the windows and the products that were previously applied to them.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.