30yr old Wooden Sliding Window Stuck closed

2k1Toaster · 10-20-2007, 02:08 AM

Hey everyone. It is like 18C outside and I want my window open so I go to open it and it is stuck. Not like a little stuck where it moves in the tracks, but all my might (im a pretty big guy) cannot open this window. I have sort of hit the corners with my fist, i've tried to push the window up and move it, and it wont budge.

Most of what I found online seems to not be for wooden windows. Most refer to wheels or something coming loose. Around here, every window is wood.

I dont think there is any metal in this window. It is original to the house and the house is like 30 years old. I dont think wd40 would help because it is all wood. If it would help, then I can try it, but something about oil and wood doesnt seem right...

and I have heard of using some wood to hammer the window but usually that applies to when a window is stuck open. This is stuck shut... I am not really sure how to "unstuck" it without damaging it. Just by eyeballing the frame, it looks level. Meaning, it is not tilted or anything.

Anyone have a suggestion?

ODYSSEY · 10-20-2007, 02:45 AM

Take a pry bar to the outside of the window.

kevinlekiller · 10-20-2007, 03:08 AM

Me Big'N'Strong Me break WINDOW! ?

Grrrmachine · 10-20-2007, 03:21 AM

If you're talking about the standard box sash window, it's probably the temp/humidity change of this time of year, and the frame has swollen a bit. You can either wait, or start prying off the trim around the frame (the part that prevents the moving panel from falling into the room!) From there, get a craft knife and gently slice down the gap between the frame and the window to get it moving. Once it's out, spray with silicone spray, make sure the weights on both sides of the window are still tied, and then like the Haynes manual says, refit is the reverse of removal

greatwhite · 10-20-2007, 09:18 AM

Is the outside of the sash painted?

If so, the paint gets in between the the window frame and sash. When it dries, it's like superglue. You need to scribe it with an exacto knife or something and then work into the sash/frame oopening until it is freed.

If it's not painted, I'd say you are dealing with the swelling wood issue, as mentioned above.

Enforcer · 10-20-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Hey everyone. It is like 18C outside and I want my window open so I go to open it and it is stuck. Not like a little stuck where it moves in the tracks, but all my might (im a pretty big guy) cannot open this window. I have sort of hit the corners with my fist, i've tried to push the window up and move it, and it wont budge.

Most of what I found online seems to not be for wooden windows. Most refer to wheels or something coming loose. Around here, every window is wood.

I dont think there is any metal in this window. It is original to the house and the house is like 30 years old. I dont think wd40 would help because it is all wood. If it would help, then I can try it, but something about oil and wood doesnt seem right...

and I have heard of using some wood to hammer the window but usually that applies to when a window is stuck open. This is stuck shut... I am not really sure how to "unstuck" it without damaging it. Just by eyeballing the frame, it looks level. Meaning, it is not tilted or anything.

Anyone have a suggestion?

If it 18C outside why the hell you want to open the window, that'll let the cold in.

Oh and only an american/canadian could infer that a 30 year old house is old. We would consider that a new homw over here.

Quote: Originally Posted by greatwhite

I'd say you are dealing with the swelling wood issue.

Now that sounds painful.

greatwhite · 10-20-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

If it 18C outside why the hell you want to open the window, that'll let the cold in.

Oh and only an american/canadian could infer that a 30 year old house is old. We would consider that a new homw over here.

Now that sounds painful.

18C cold?

Jeebus man! That's tanning weather in Canada!

You must be in the UK or jamaica if you think that's cold..............

walstib · 10-20-2007, 11:31 AM

Try rubbing a candle inside the tracks. It won't help initially opening it, but the more open it gets, the easier it will slide. Once fully open, rub candle in lower section of track. Open and close a few times to get even coating of wax.

If you can't get it to move at all, take a block of wood that will fit in sash channel and lightly smack it with a hammer a couple of times on each side.

Edit: I have heard baby powder will work instead of candle wax, but I have never tried it.

Chris31 · 10-20-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

Oh and only an american/canadian could infer that a 30 year old house is old. We would consider that a new homw over here.

I live in a house made back in 1868

2k1Toaster · 10-20-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Grrrmachine

If you're talking about the standard box sash window, it's probably the temp/humidity change of this time of year, and the frame has swollen a bit. You can either wait, or start prying off the trim around the frame (the part that prevents the moving panel from falling into the room!) From there, get a craft knife and gently slice down the gap between the frame and the window to get it moving. Once it's out, spray with silicone spray, make sure the weights on both sides of the window are still tied, and then like the Haynes manual says, refit is the reverse of removal

Well I dont feel like removing trim pieces yet! I guess Ill have to wait... Will a blowdryer or something spped up the process?

Quote: Originally Posted by greatwhite

Is the outside of the sash painted?

Nope. I had read about that too. It is original paint. So actually it is painted, but not recently.

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

If it 18C outside why the hell you want to open the window, that'll let the cold in.

I live in the cold! I want it cold inside! Over the summer I put tin foil over the window to keep the sun out! We are supposed to get our first snow tomorrow.

Quote: Originally Posted by Enforcer

Oh and only an american/canadian could infer that a 30 year old house is old. We would consider that a new homw over here.

You probably live in a house older than either country over here is!

Quote: Originally Posted by greatwhite

18C cold?

Jeebus man! That's tanning weather in Canada!

You must be in the UK or jamaica if you think that's cold..............

Quote: Originally Posted by walstib

Try rubbing a candle inside the tracks. It won't help initially opening it, but the more open it gets, the easier it will slide. Once fully open, rub candle in lower section of track. Open and close a few times to get even coating of wax.

If you can't get it to move at all, take a block of wood that will fit in sash channel and lightly smack it with a hammer a couple of times on each side.

Edit: I have heard baby powder will work instead of candle wax, but I have never tried it.

Ill try that once i get it opened.

Thanks for the tips.

Grrrmachine · 10-20-2007, 04:17 PM

You could try the hairdrier trick, but only on the lowest setting. Removing moisture too quickly will warp and twist the box, trapping your window for ever

And my house was built some time in the 15th Century

Quattro · 10-20-2007, 08:50 PM

get a new window, problem solved.

plus it will be more energy efficient.

2k1Toaster · 10-20-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Quattro

get a new window, problem solved.

plus it will be more energy efficient.

You paying?!

Quattro · 10-20-2007, 09:17 PM

it pays for itself in the long run

2k1Toaster · 10-20-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Quattro

it pays for itself in the long run

I dont think changing 1 window will make too much of a difference. Expecially since during the winter I leave it open to cool down my room.

Anways, we were thinking of replacing all of the windows but that is probably another 2 to 3 years away. And by then I probably/hopefully wont be here.