HISTORIC WINDOWS - How To Free Painted Shut Windows! 

Thanks for one of THE best how to videos -- ever!!! This is a masterful use of the youtube platform to document and transfer human knowledge to all of humanity for posterity. Brian is not only a master craftsman but has achieved the peak of practicality to get results. Beyond that he is an extraordinary teacher that quickly gets to the essential point of what you need to accomplish in each step along with tips and tricks that will get you there quickly. Thanks . . . Brian deserves the legacy this has created.

Thanks so much, Brian. I have a 1916 Craftsman in an historic neighborhood of Seattle and need to do this to dozens of windows. I've been afraid of doing it, but you've shown me that the windows aren't at all complicated and this is a fairly simple job. Many thanks and cheers!

What a pleasure to watch a real craftsman at work and all those techniques and tips....wonderful. Thank you from England where I have an Edwardian house - 1906 and I am forever freeing up and painting sash windows....about 12 of them....

This is honestly one of the best restoration process videos out there! I know how to glaze, but this part always scared me. Thank you for the comprehensive walkthrough!

This video saved me. Ive been slowly restoring the windows in my 1928 home. I haven't gotten into stripping paint or reglazing but at least the windows can open now!

Another awesome video! Thank you for passing along your knowledge and expertise.

In my spare time, I replace broken sash cords. I've done over 300 sashes in the last couple of years. I've seen a number of videos here and I must confess, yours is one of the best. I'm in Lancaster PA, so heat loss through the windows is a higher priority than in FL. Because of that, I never want to get the upper sash to move. More heat loss if I do. I share your technique using the chain and to determine the correct cord length. I see you use the correct sash cord, not the crap you get at the big box stores. I also use a multi-tool with a narrow blade to cut the parting bead off, just below the meeting rail. That makes it easy to remove and reuse. The cut is not visible. Also, most of the houses I work on were built in the late 80's, so the paint buildup is always an issue. I'm also the only person in this county willing to do this type of work. Sad, but true. Nice work!

I just gotta say, I love your videos. This is really going to help me out.

Very good video! Learned a lot!

I love old homes and the inate light that enriches them. Large windows with the beautiful ledges that weave thru wainscoting above honeyed hardwood floors...is beautiful. The smell of ages in which families gathered intrigues me with succulent thoughts of the joy imbued therein.

Amazing instruction, every historic homeowner should bookmark this video and subscribe

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for this video!!! I broke a pane trying to open it, and thought it was gonna be murder to repair! Heck, I'm gonna do it today! Thanks again, and Cheers

Excellent video, thank you! Lovely music too.

Excellent video 👍

"You have a unique perspective, and I love learning from you.

Thanks I will start today!

Love when you say at 2:32 "That crackling is a good sound." Nice video, but I don't think I could do what you do in a million years! You've just got the touch, Brian.

THANK YOU!

This is a lifesaver, I'm going to try this and hopefully it works I'll update this post later if it does 😮

Brother, you’ll never know how good your macro/micro instruction made me look when casually stepping in when I heard an outrageous quote for what turned out to be, a 20 minute job. Unfortunately, giving appropriate credit to you would have come at a loss of shine for me, so just a personal hat tip and thank you 🙏

Excellent how-to video. Actually makes the job seem do-able and not so intimidating.

Thank you… I just bought a home w/ identical windows… that are stuck closed…😊

Also, what is that tool called that you use to remove thin nails on the moldings?

Great video! Is the panel to acces the ropes and weights always on the inside of the frame? Or are some accessed behind the trim boards?

Interesting! -- QUESTION -- We are interested in wooden hung windows (in the North East colder areas). We have seen someone claim that single hung windows seal better than double hung windows. But we like the features of double hung as they both slide and on some, the can lean forward too for cleaing. Was that a double hung windows you fixed? Can it seal tightly when closed? Any thoughts on the "single" vs "double" hung windos? Which would you have if you had to pick?

How do you know if you have true historic windows worth keeping

Did you end up replacing the piece of wood that goes between the sashes (parting, I think)? If so, did you have to mill it yourself or is it a standard size?

Brian, I have 18 historic windows and have started to repair a small bathroom window to fix the weight and rope pulley system. My question is what do I do next? There are no screws holding the case holding the weights. Do I pry away the access panel, which is affixed with pin nails? I’m afraid of breaking the piece. Or am I better off prying off the front molding at the butt of the window? House is c. 1912.

What about lead in the paint that you are "cracking" as you cut with the knife? We have several windows that are painted shut in our victorian home but afraid to disrupt the paint for lead hazard.

Would hard wax be a good choice instead of soap?

Excellent video but the music is VERY distracting.

brian can i just hire you

I have 36 original 12 pane windows from 1930 on my home. Marry me?🤣

Swear I saw this b4 youtube was invented.

Great video but the music makes it harder to hear you.

No sound 8:13

the music is distracting when you are talking. would be nice if it was softer than or not there at all.. like: 1:47 did you say 4 years or 40 years? can't tell because of the music

So all the hype about lead paint is exaggerated? Figures