garyb1st
Senior Member
My home was built in 1951. Over the years, I've repaired almost all of the 20+ wood windows. Stripped the paint, replaced broken glass, re-caulked and repainted them. Ten years ago I decided to replace some with vinyl. Initially paid someone to do a few. Then I did a few myself. Replacing a wood window is not rocket science. It certainly doesn't warrant an installation charge of $400 per. In any event the installer didn't dispose of the windows. They sat collecting dust and becoming a meal for the local termites.
Rather than take them to the dump, I decided maybe I could remove the glass and chop up the frames for firewood. So that's what I did. It's part of my exercise program.
It took a bit of time but what I found was quite interesting. The individual glass panes that I hadn't replace were almost twice as thick as the ones I did. I tried to break one with a hammer. Two whacks and not even a crack. Maybe keep them.
The main part of the frames were still strong. I used my table saw to cut off the ends that were beyond repair. I also cut off the side that was not square. What remained was a piece wood that looks better than any I've seen at the big box stores. Straight as a bone and strong. Like the old glass, they're sitting with my other pile of wood waiting for that future project.
Rather than take them to the dump, I decided maybe I could remove the glass and chop up the frames for firewood. So that's what I did. It's part of my exercise program.
It took a bit of time but what I found was quite interesting. The individual glass panes that I hadn't replace were almost twice as thick as the ones I did. I tried to break one with a hammer. Two whacks and not even a crack. Maybe keep them.
The main part of the frames were still strong. I used my table saw to cut off the ends that were beyond repair. I also cut off the side that was not square. What remained was a piece wood that looks better than any I've seen at the big box stores. Straight as a bone and strong. Like the old glass, they're sitting with my other pile of wood waiting for that future project.
