Signs You Need Professional Help To Unstick Wood Windows

Wooden windows can imbue any home with a simple, timeless appeal, but that classic aesthetic comes at the price of a few practical issues. One of the biggest problems with wood windows is that they can easily become stuck, making it nearly impossible to open or close them. 

There are many reasons a window might stick, such as a build-up of dirt or paint. When it comes to wooden windows though, humidity is the culprit of stuck panes since wood expands as it absorbs moisture. In most cases, it's possible to muscle stuck windows closed, but if there is serious damage to the window or surrounding structure, you should call an expert. (As long as you're getting a second pair of eyes on your windows, now is a good time to add some privacy with these window film options.)

Years of shrinking and expanding due to humidity, as well as being under structural stress for long periods of time, can cause wood to become warped, cracked, or otherwise dangerously damaged. If this is the case and you try to force a window to work anyway, you risk causing more damage or breaking it completely. Seriously stuck wooden windows are just one of many home improvement projects best left to the professionals.

If you're lucky enough to live in an old, historic home, you should take extreme caution before trying to fix any element yourself. These old houses often have a lot more regulations to be aware of before you replace or renovate anything to ensure the structure stays secure. 

While it is recommended to repair faulty windows on historic properties, the best course of action is to do so with a professional who can do the job properly and keep everything up to code. This will increase the likelihood of being able to save an original wooden window that has become jammed. However, if you do need to remove a historic window, you can always repurpose it into a unique bathroom storage solution by turning it into a cabinet.

Another reason you may want to bring in the experts to unstick a wooden window is if you're scared of heights or don't have a lot of experience using power tools. Standing on a ladder ten feet in the air is not the right time to practice using a pry bar, and there's no shame in calling in the pros to help keep you grounded.