Wood windows can become stuck over time due to a build up of paint or caulking between the window sash and frame.
To unstick wood windows without damaging them:
- Carefully cut through the paint between the bottom window sash and frame, both inside and out, with a sharp utility knife.
- Slide a stiff bladed putty knife between the bottom window sash and sill from the outside of the house and gently pry up, working from one side of the sash to the other.
- Slip a flat pry bar between the sash and sill, and carefully pry the sash up.
- Once the sash is free, work it up and down to loosen it.
- Clean and lubricate the tracks in the frame to keep the window opening smoothly.
Watch this video to find out more.
Further Information
- How to Open a Painted Shut Window (video)
- How to Open a Paint Stuck Window (article)
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
The first step to unsticking a wood window is releasing the caulk or paint around the edges by cutting along them with a utility knife. This should be done both inside and outside. To start lifting the sash, slide a stiff bladed putty knife under the bottom and gently pry up, moving from one side to the other. When you’ve created enough space, switch to a flat pry bar and continue gently lifting until the sash is free. Now clean and lubricate the tracks so the window will move freely the next time.
What lubricant do you recommend for wood to wood surfaces?
I love the color with the white trim moldings .It makes the room stand out from the other rooms in the pictures
What are the paint colors used in the Dining Room Re-Do?
Hi, Joe,
Thanks for your interest in the products used for this episode.
This article is seven years old, so, unfortunately, we no longer have that information.
Take care!
Hi, where did you get the chandelier you installed in the dining room on the “A Dining Room Re-Do–And outdoor entertainment center” episode?
Thanks!
Hi, Tracy!
Special thanks goes to Linea Lighting (https://lineadiliara.com/) for providing that beautiful fixture.
Thanks for your question!
Today’s flat panel TV’s are cooled by convection and require minimum spacing around the edges for it to work properly. Even the smallest require 3 in and larger ones can require up to 6 in per side. It’s likely their TV (and any others they replace it with) will fail prematurely because the manufacturer’s cooling requirements were ignored. Planning the construction details in your mind is fine, but the interior dimensions need to adhere to the manufacturer’s cooling requirements so the TV doesn’t fry.
I just caught your show (the last one posted (10/27), great show, great makeover. I believe you were removing a part of the counter/pass through & replaced with ply wood? I would like to do that with mine from the kitchen into dining room. Do you use plain wood & then paint?
Thanks for your support & comments. Course, you make everything look so easy!
Suzann Starr
Hi, Suzann,
We used clear pine, 1” X 8,” which was pre-primed when we purchased it.
Plywood would not be ideal because the raw edges of the ply would be visible on the edges.
Thanks for your question, and good luck with your project!
I would love to know what name brand paint and what color was used in the living room.Thanks
Hi, Sherry,
Thanks for your interest in the products used for this episode.
This article is eight years old, so, unfortunately, we no longer have that information.
Take care!