Home generalInstructions: process window putty - Is silicone an alternative?

Instructions: process window putty - Is silicone an alternative?

  • Newly cement the window
    • 1. Scrape out joints
    • 2. Grind and pretreat frame
    • 3. Insert new washer
    • 4. Seal the disc
    • 5. Dry and coat the putty
  • Tips for quick readers

Window putty is a traditional material that has been used for many years to frame windows in window frames. It usually consists of whiting and linseed oil. Kitt no longer plays a role in the new production of windows. However, there are still many windows on listed houses, which were processed with putty. This guide is intended to provide information on how to proceed in the event of a reorganization.

Why repair windows ">

Window putty is not a building material for eternity. It consists of whiting and linseed oil. This oil dries and washes out over time. This increasingly embrittles the putty. It gets cracked, dry and gradually crumbles out. Windows made with putty usually have only a simple glazing. This is already particularly disadvantageous for noise and above all for reasons of thermal protection. Leaky cementation aggravates this condition many times over. That's why you have to pay attention to the putty when getting old windows.

Advantages and disadvantages of putty

Kitt is a natural building material and therefore well suited for biological construction. He is cheap and very good natured in the processing. Finally, putty is also paintable.
However, putty takes a long time to cure so far that it can be painted over. This means that the windows either have to be stored for weeks. Alternatively, the outer windows may need to be painted with a working platform. That is quite complicated and expensive.

Alternative: silicone?

The opinions as to whether silicone is a viable alternative for window putty vary widely. This mineral oil-containing building material is out of the question for fans of biological construction. Technically, silicone is much easier to process and also hardens faster. However, it is very poorly repaintable. Since silicone is available in many colors, you can save this step by choosing the right color in the first place. Silicone, however, is very sticky. It has to be processed carefully, otherwise there will be an unattractive result.

Here you will find more important tips and advice on the use of silicone: silicone process

Acrylic is completely unsuitable for the cementing of exterior windows. It is not waterproof and would wash out within a short time.

Newly cement the window

The cementing of windows is a pretty dirty matter, but it can be worthwhile with beautiful, old windows. The cementing is the penultimate step of a complete window renovation. It makes sense to re-cement old wooden windows only if it should be carefully sanded and painted accordingly.

Always pay attention to personal protective equipment when handling glass. Eye protection, long-sleeved shirt and cut-resistant gloves are very important when working with windows. This will help you avoid injury if a disc breaks.

1. Scrape out joints

The most important thing when re-cementing a window is cleanliness. The old window putty must be completely removed. For a single window, a flat slotted screwdriver is sufficient. With light hammer blows on the screwdriver this work can be accelerated very much. But always keep your eye level so as not to damage the glass or the frame. The flatter you hold the screwdriver, the gentler you treat the disc. Ideal for removing the old cement is a vacuum cleaner. For removing the putty on the inside, joint knives or joint scrapers are ideal. These tools are available from 8 euros.

Note: In the years from 1950 to 1990 window frames were treated with asbestos. Therefore always work with respiratory protection if you want to re-cement a window from this period.

However, if a larger number of windows are to be renovated, an Oszillier multifunction tool is recommended. These extremely practical electric tools have been on the market for about 5 years and are very well suited for many applications. Among other things, the Kittfugen of windows can be excellently removed with these Oszillier tools. An oscillating multifunction tool costs about 100 euros.

2. Grind and pretreat frame

The better the frame is handled by the window before inserting the new disc, the cleaner the end result. Grinding and priming is particularly easy in the sliver-free state. If possible, do not use any electrical tools, especially no angle grinders. If you want to work with an electric grinder, use fine sandpaper. This prevents them from removing too much material. When removing the disc you should be extra careful. Old glass windows often have no standard dimensions, but individually tailored windows. A broken disc is therefore difficult to replace.

Tip: If you discover wormholes on a still stable window frame, place the frame overnight in a tub of linseed oil. This protects the wood sufficiently against the weather. This can penetrate untreated into the small holes and damage the wood from the inside.

3. Insert new washer

If necessary, insert the new disc. This is especially the case with blind and scratched windows. Otherwise, even with old windows usually a thorough cleaning is sufficient.

A window is ideally processed horizontally. Smaller windows can also be glazed well when installed. Make sure you get a helper with large windows. The new pane is framed on one side with a 1 cm wide "sausage" made of window putty. Then the glass is pressed into the frame. From the inside you can now see how well the window sealant seals the window. Make sure that you do not have continuous joints. The window must be completely tight, otherwise it inevitably pulls in at this point. Small wire pins help to keep the window in the frame. All it takes is the small nails, as they are known for the back walls of cabinets and shelves for DIY. Orientate the number and size of the nails to the original state of the window. Alternatively, the specialist dealer also offers special window holding nails.

4. Seal the disc

If the disc sits perfectly tight in the frame, it is still sealed on the outside. For this purpose again a marginal sausage of one centimeter width is laid. The ideal tool for making the edge is a seam puller. Complete sets are already available for 8 euros.

First, the putty is pulled firmly over the edge of the window. Then smoothed with a smooth and even motion lengthwise. This will give you a nice result. Do not forget to pull off the inside as well. Check the cementation again after a few days. Kitt disappears while drying something. But the building material can be processed well. If necessary, simply apply another, thin layer of putty.

5. Dry and coat the putty

Window putty takes about a week to cure. Only then can it be redrawn. If you absolutely can not or do not want to wait this time, use special window silicone. This material is much less odor than bathtub silicone. In addition, the window silicones are treated with special fungicides. However, these do not prevent the formation of mold permanently, but they hesitate for some time out. Use silicone in a color that matches the frame of the window.

Tips for quick readers

  • Be careful when removing old windows
  • Oscillating tools make the job easier
  • Joint knives and vacuum cleaners ensure clean results
  • Window putty is paintable, silicone is not
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