Windows are an essential element for a home: they illuminate the rooms, provide fresh air exchange, protect against rain and weather; finally, combined with the style of the architecture and furnishings, they significantly improve the appearance of a home, both inside and outside.
The wooden windows and doors give a natural beauty to the houses, creating a comfortable and elegant atmosphere.
Choosing windows and doors is never easy, but wooden ones, compared to aluminium or PVC have a timeless charm that cannot be denied.
Properly maintained, they can last a long time.
On the contrary, if they are neglected, they can suffer damage forcing you to replace them.
This is why regular maintenance is inevitable, so that they remain aesthetically beautiful, but also functional.
Wooden frames: maintenance is essential
Wooden windows and doors are continuously exposed to the atmospheric agents that can change their appearance and effectiveness, but with constant inspection and maintenance it is possible to prolong their durability.
When carrying out the annual or seasonal maintenance of your home, take the time to inspect the wooden window frames and check for signs of deterioration.
Also check the protective sealant coating to avoid problems that would involve costly repairs.
What are the main threats to wooden window frames?
There are several issues that threaten the “health” of wooden frames (and wood in general), which can be summarized in this list:
- colour alteration, due to exposure to ultraviolet rays;
- biological attack, due to lack of evaporation of internal or external water;
- attack by wood parasites;
- deterioration of finishes, sealants and gaskets;
- damage to operating elements;
- deformations, due to structural overloads, masonry movements, incorrect manoeuvres, thermal expansion and water penetration;
- water or air permeations due to poor quality or deterioration of seals.
How to check wooden frames for damage
Here are some tips to understand how to check your wooden windows and doors and make sure they are in good condition:
- use a brush to clean the frame, then use a cloth dampened with wood wax and check that there is no visible damage;
- it is important to look for signs of moisture, because the wood could rot and this would indicate that the sealant coating is degraded. It should usually be applied regularly, every 12 to 18 months, in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines;
- if you notice signs of cracking, this indicates that the wood is damaged by lack of protection and constant exposure to UV rays;
- when inspecting the outer frame of a window, take a close look at the edging that holds the glass in place, because if it had come loose it would lead to a lack of insulation inside the house.
If you should notice any of these problems, then it is time to fix them.
However, we recommend that you carry out regular maintenance at regular intervals to avoid getting to this point.
How to fix the damage of wooden doors and windows
When one or more problems occurs that could ruin your wooden windows and doors, you could try to apply some tricks before you go to a professional:
- if the sealant coating has not been applied or has deteriorated, apply a suitable one that will allow you to solve the problem in a few simple steps;
- in case of mold, clean the surface with fine steel wool and mineral turpentine so that you can assess the full extent of the damage. It may be necessary to remove the most serious part of the damage with a wood chisel and fill it with epoxy putty, before carrying out a preservative treatment;
- for small cracks, sand lightly with sandpaper and then apply a wood preservative.
All these methods will help you to solve those small problems that do not require the intervention of a professional.
Remember that, in addition to periodic maintenance, you can also use do-it-yourself solutions to restore wooden frames, so you don’t need to replace them.
Although there are many products suitable for exterior wood on the market, oil-based products continue to provide maximum protection and require less maintenance.
Take care of your wooden windows and doors, preserving their beauty and functionality.