My wooden doublehung sash windows were painted shut (long ago). How do I go about unsticking them?

Question

It's your basic old house -- wooden window sashes & wooden frames, and 3 to 6 layers of paint on everything. Someone got lazy (I guess) and painted the upper sashes to the frames. I'd like to unstick them so that the top sash can be pulled down in this hot weather. Have you ever done this?

Thanks for reading!

Answer 1

If you,ve that much paint on them then no razor blade is going to unstick them. You'll have to go between the sash (thats the frame holding the glass) and the parting beade with a sturdy paint scraper, all the way down both sides. You'd be best taking them out altogether and strip all the paint off, replace the parting beade ( you'll get some at a DIY shop) . It's pretty straight forward how they work, just take note as you take them out and put them back in reverse order. It can take a while on your first attempt so start EARLY in the day to give yourself plenty time to get it back in place before nightfall. It's a great sence of achievment when you renovate one sucessfully. Give it a go!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Your best bet is to take a razor knife/ utility knife and steadily cut into the seam al the way around where the sash has been painted shut into the jamb. Try to forcefully lift up on the sash then and see if it will open. If it doesnt, double check to see if the sash is painted shut into the jamb from the outside also and repeat the cutting procedure there also. Then, if there is a handle on the sash, take a small piece of wood and try to lever the window open by prying the sash open with leverage off of the window sill. If this doesnt work, you have a hell of a stuck window, but all is not lost. The next trick needs to be doen carefully. With a 2"x 4" piece of wood about 6 inches long, you can take and set it against the top of the sash and strike it gently with a rubber mallet to break the seal. These tricks have all worked in the past for me, so just take your time and work pateintly, and you will get it open. Keep in mind, older windows have weaker glass than todays windows, so you could break it easier if you are not careful and take your time.

Answer 4

Yes I have done this.
You'll need a stiff putty knife, no more than 1 1/2 inches wide.
Put the corner of the knife where the sash meets the frame, you know, where the crack should be and drag the point along the crack chipping away the paint.
This takes some muscle and some time.
Have Fun

Answer 5

if your just wanting it open, a razor blade will work, or if you want a little easier way, you can pick up a set of wood carving knives at a hobby shop. they give you different blade shapes that can help if the paint is really thick. If you're going to re-paint the windows the best way is just brushing paint remover/stripper on it. and letting it sit for a couple of hours.

Answer 6

It's easy! Just take a razor blade and cut down the seam (between the window and the frame). Then wriggle the window until it moves. Good Luck!

Answer 7

Use a razor blade knife to break the seam, then a flexible blade putty knife to pry the sashes apart. Be patient, and you CAN get this done. I've done it many times.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Your best bet would be to use a putty knife and hammer, if there's that many layers of paint.
Yes, I used to do that and it helps remove the hot air inside the house.

Answer 10

they make what they call a window saw it looks like a pie spatula that has serrated edges and you cut the paint film between the sash and the window jam