I just bought a historical home and the windows are painted shut. How do I get them to open?
Answers:
Hi
Try "THIS OLD HOUSE" web site.
Other answers:
a brick
a brick
Try running a grouting tool or razor blade along the sash to cut the paint away.
If this doesn't work...try a paint remover gel.
If it's a national heritage site you may need to get someone in to open the windows who is certified to handle old woodworking. You can really destroy things if you do it wrong.
As suggested cutting around the window stops both interior and exterior with a razor knife very carefully will work. I would suggest a 5 in 1 tool though. A 3' putty knife tapped between the window stops and sash also works very well. If the windows are operated with weights behind the jambs and the windows have not been used for years then the ropes that hold the weights may be broken and will have to be replaced. Just be careful when the windows open, if the weights are not attached the window sash will crash closed. Good luck
Like one person said use a razor blade. Thats what i do do whenever i run into that problem. Next move the window right and left while pulling up as many old windows are out of square and will not just open even once the paint is removed. Sometime we pry them open by putting a blaock of wood on the sill and using that as the fulcrum (so as not to damage the sill) and pryagainst the hardware. This is likely to damage the window and i would only us ehtis as a last resort