How To Make Old Windows Open Easier

Opening your windows for fresh air only to detect that they're difficult, or impossible, to open up is frustrating. Not to mention, it'due south dangerous in the case of emergency.

Luckily, most problems that make windows hard to open are like shooting fish in a barrel to gear up on your ain! It'southward merely a matter of understanding what'south causing your windows to be hard to open and close.

Troubleshooting Hard-to-Open Windows

Double Hung and Sliding Windows that are Hard to Open up and Close

If your single hung, double hung, or sliding windows don't slide smoothly, the problem may exist dirt and grime in the tracks. Luckily, all yous need to solve this problem is a picayune elbow grease.

How to make clean and lubricate vinyl windows:

Vacuum loose dirt and debris from all four sides of the window frame using your vacuum's hose attachment
Clean the tracks with an all-purpose cleaner, focusing on the two vertical sides
Employ a small amount of silicone-based lubricant to the tracks
Slide the window upward and down or back and along a few times to allow the lubricant to piece of work into the tracks

If your window frames are wooden:

Vacuum up the loose dirt from all four sides of the window frame
Clean the frames with a small amount of furniture wax on a soft cloth, focusing on the two vertical sides
Use wax to lubricate the window tracks
Slide the window up and down or back and forth a few times to allow the wax to piece of work into and spread along the tracks

To prevent this issue in the futurity, be sure to regularly clean your windows.

If cleaning the tracks didn't solve your problem, the spring in the window may be the issue. Replacing or repairing the spring requires a few specialized tools and some window repair know-how, and so we recommend having a professional person set this.

Windows That Are Hard to Push Open up

Casement and awning windows are the two most common types of windows that push open, simply our garden windows also have panels that open outward. When a window is difficult to push button open up, it's important to check the hinges first. Potent hinges are a common issue, and they're easily stock-still with a piddling lubricant.

To lubricate hinges on a casement, awning, or garden window:

Open up the window completely
Wipe whatever loose dirt away from the swivel
Spray a silicone based lubricant on the hinge and wipe away any drips
Open and shut the window a few times to allow the lubricant to get deep into the swivel

When lubricating the hinges doesn't gear up the trouble, it may be a bigger issue with loose or stripped screws. If you are capable, remove the sash and examine the screws to see if any of them demand to be replaced. Replacing stripped screws with new screws should fix the problem.

If yous take lubricated your hinges and replaced stripped screws, just the problem persists, the issue is probable the operator, the function that connects to the crank and pushes the window open. If this is the case, you volition need to supervene upon the operator. Unless yous're comfortable with window repair, we recommend consulting a professional person for this repair.

Windows Still Stuck?

If these DIY fixes didn't work for you, your windows may need to exist replaced. If you're ready to upgrade your windows, contact usa to schedule your free in-habitation or virtual consultation! All of our windows are covered by our industry-leading warranty, so y'all'll never have to worry almost repairing your windows yourself.