Home/Wood Window Repair
Wood windows · restorationWood Window Repair and Restoration
Original wood windows in Chicago bungalows, greystones and older suburban homes are worth saving. We free stuck sashes, rebuild rotted wood, reglaze, restring and refinish them so they work smoothly and keep their character.
What wood window repair includes
- Freeing painted-shut and swollen sashes
- Rebuilding rotted sash, sill and frame wood
- Repairing damaged molding, casing and trim around the window
- Reglazing loose or missing glazing putty
- Restringing sash cords and weights
- New weatherstripping to stop drafts
- Scraping, priming and painting
- Replacing broken glass in old sashes
Why repair wood windows instead of replacing them
Old-growth wood in windows from the 1900s to the 1950s is denser and more rot-resistant than most lumber used today. With new weatherstripping, sealed glazing and working sashes, a restored wood window can be close to as comfortable as a new one, and it keeps the look of your home. Restoration is often the right choice for historic Chicago bungalows and homes in landmark districts.
How we work
We look at every window, mark what needs repair and give you a price per window. Depending on the work, we repair sashes on site or take them to the shop and reinstall them, covering the openings in the meantime. One customer had 20 wood windows restored after getting quotes for full replacement.
When replacement makes more sense
If the frames are badly rotted or the windows were poor quality to begin with, we will say so and can quote replacement windows instead.
Wood window questions
Can old wood windows be made energy efficient?
Yes. New weatherstripping, fresh glazing, working locks and good storm windows make a big difference. Many restored wood windows perform close to newer windows.
My wood windows are painted shut. Can you open them?
Yes. We cut the paint seal, free the sash, clean the tracks and adjust the window so it opens and closes again.
Do you replace sash cords?
Yes. We restring broken sash cords and rebalance the weights on traditional double-hung wood windows.
How long does wood window restoration take?
Simple repairs take a visit. Full restoration of several windows can take a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the number of windows.
Wood Window Repair near you
We serve homes and businesses in Chicago, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie, Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg, plus the rest of Chicagoland.
Window Frame and Sill Repair
Rotted or damaged frames and sills rebuilt and sealed.
Learn more →
Sash and Balance Repair
Windows that slam, drop or won’t stay open, fixed.
Learn more →
Window Glass Replacement
New glass or sealed units cut to fit your existing frames.
Learn more →
Window Repair
Sticking, drafty or broken windows fixed, not replaced.
Learn more →Recent repairs
Real before-and-after photos from our jobs across Chicagoland.
Get a free wood window estimate
Tell us what is going on and add a photo if you can. We will get back to you to talk it through and set up your free estimate.
Text us instead(847) 274-0368 · photos welcome