Repairing Old Pine Pella Windows

Basic Repair

• Most repairs for Pella windows are similar to those made on windows of any other maker. Simple repairs like replacing sash locks and spring balances can be done in a few weekend hours. If your Pella windows are casements or tilt-down sashes, access to working parts will be easier. Pine and other wood Pellas require the same maintenance that any wood window does. Vigilance in keeping exterior paint in good condition assures that rot will not spoil the integrity of the windows.

Complicated Repairs

• More difficult repairs on Pella windows, such as replacing rotting pine, are likewise similar to those done on other windows. Rotting wood that does not affect the structural integrity of windows needs to removed and replaced. Replacement can consist of using a wood patch -- a "Dutchman" -- or filling with two-part epoxy wood filler. Keeping exterior window frames and sills painted and in good condition, as well as maintaining or replacing weatherstripping, protects the windows from the outside elements. Maintaining paint and clear finishes on pine interior parts, likewise, protects them from condensation damage.

Beyond Repair

• In some instances, even the highest quality Pella windows require total replacement. Wooden casements and sashes that have fallen apart from rot or moisture damage usually need to be replaced. If the windows are double-glazed, the seal between the panes often fails when the window frame comes apart. In fact, if a seal has broken and the glass has fogged from moisture or corrosion, there is no remedy and the entire window needs to be replaced.

Parts

• Some parts, such as sash locks and spring balance systems, can sometimes be replaced with standard parts from a hardware store or home center. Many other parts, however, must be replaced with Pella parts. Weatherstripping, casement hardware, cranks and other parts can be ordered directly from Pella. If you have the model numbers of your windows, that makes ordering parts easier. Parts are often numbered, as well. If you don't have this information, you'll have to supply Pella with a description of both the window and the part you need.