Some buildings have historic window frames that have been a part of the building since it was erected. Over time, these timber frames can degrade and many people are loath to completely replace the window for a modern style; the overwhelming majority of people wish to keep historical features in older buildings. To make sure that the wooden window is kept as a part of the property, work is undertaken to remove any damaged or rotten part of the frame and replace it with new sections of wood. This article examines the process of removing and replacing a section of damaged wood on a timber frame.
Preparation
You will need some tools and safety equipment when carrying out this repair job. This includes:
- Wood chisel
- Mallet
- Saw
- Wood plane
- Scraper
- Screwdriver
- Work gloves
- Eye protection
Additionally, you will need an undercoat and primer for the new wood, as well as a paint on preservative for the wood, and varnish or wood stain to finish the job. Let's look at the process involved.
Remove The Damaged Wood
This falls into two main categories; removing large pieces of wood with the saw, and cutting out smaller sections with the chisel. If you must remove large pieces of wood with the saw, cut slowly and carefully, and always try to cut the wood at an angle. This not only allows the new wood to be attached more easily, it can make the repair less noticeable to others. Always mark your cut lines before starting to cut. For small sections, use the mallet and chisel to cut into and around damaged sections, and remove them carefully.
Replace Wood
Get a replacement piece of wood, and hold it to the area to be repaired. Mark the required shape on the new wood. Cut the new wood; it doesn't matter if the replacement wood is bigger than the damaged area, as you can trim and plane it to fit once you have the shape. Once ready, apply the preservative to the new piece and the repair area, and leave to dry as per the instructions.
Secure And Fit
Now it is time to screw and glue the replacement wood securely into place. For large areas of repair, you can use pegs to hold the repair until it the glue cures. Once left to dry fully, you can begin to sand and plane the wood until it is flush with the frame.
You should then fill any cracks and holes with a wood filler and apply the primer and undercoat. The frame is now ready to be colored.
If all this is beyond your patience or skill, remember that there are timber window restoration experts you can call.
