Learning About Home Remodels

If your energy bills are still too high and you've done everything possible to improve your home, even replacing your cooling and heating systems, it's time to examine your old windows. Sometimes, it's the little things that affect your home's energy costs the most, including the muntins that support your windows' glass. Muntins are the wooden strips of wood that divide the panes of glass in windows. Over time, the wooden material of muntins wear down, crack, pull away from the glass, or simply age. You can repair your windows' muntins yourself. Here's how bad muntins affect your home's energy expenses and tips to repair them.

What Are Muntins?

Wooden muntins improve the appearance and stability of window glass. Muntins also encase and support multiple window panes. If the muntins in your windows deteriorate or experience some type of damage, you can lose heat from your home in the winter and cold air in the summer.  

A number of things damage muntins over time. For example, wood-boring insects, such as carpenter ants, destroy or weaken wood by eating or burrowing holes through it. Condensation can also rot wood when there's too much humidity in the house. It's essential that you repair your muntins right away.

How Should You Repair the Muntins?

To repair your damaged wooden muntins, you need to purchase clear caulking material, masking tape and window glass cleaner. You also need a roll of paper towels and a duster to clean your window panes and muntins. In addition, purchase wood glaze or sealant to coat the surfaces of your muntins. 

Now, here's what you do:

• Clean the windows thoroughly with the window cleaner and paper towels, then allow the glass to dry for 5-10 minutes.
• Use the duster to remove dirt and dust from the surfaces of the muntins. Pay close attention to the corners and edges of the muntins, or else the caulking material won't stick properly after you apply it.
• Place masking tape along the edges of the muntins to separate them from the windows' glass.
• Coat the surfaces of the muntins with the glaze or sealant, then allow the wet surfaces to dry for several hours. You want to seal in the holes and other damage, as well as strengthen the wood of your muntins.
• Place a very thin line of caulking material along the edges of the muntins to seal them, then give the material at least 2-4 hours to dry thoroughly.

After the caulking material dries, remove the tape. The clear material shouldn't show up against the glass. Your energy expenses may go down after the repairs. 

If you need more tips on how to repair your muntins or other parts of the windows, contact a window repair and replacement contractor such as L. M. Martin Inc today.