If you have sliding windows, you might have noticed that they become difficult to open with the passage of time. There are many reasons behind this ranging from obstructions caused foreign matter to the warping of the frames.
The usual culprits are dirt, dust, and pollen grains that might have become firmly lodged in and around the tracks. If the accumulated debris is thick enough, it can easily jam the windows rollers completely.
With that said, under the right circumstances, it is not very difficult to get your window sashes to glide on their rollers and tracks seamlessly. If you want them to work as well as the day they had been installed, you will have to get rid of all the years of accumulated grime and thoroughly lubricate the tracks.
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Old Windows And Sagging Issues
This issue is more common with the older version of wooden double-hung windows as well as security door rollers. The former typically move up and down in a vertical movement, while their sliding counterparts can be opened and shut via horizontal (left and right) movement.
Due to the very nature of the sliding design, the odds are that sooner or later, you will almost certainly have severe issues with the windows getting stuck and refusing to open and close smoothly and properly. Apart from the debris issues, windows can also stick due to a lot of other reasons, and at least some of them can turn out to be pretty serious.
The structural settling of your house, for instance, might be the causative factor of your windows getting stuck. If the structure is not well-made or well-planned, the window frame will end up pinching the windows. This will lead to serious sliding issues, and the windows will stick regardless of how many times you clean them and wash them with WD 40. Alternately, the window sashes themselves might start sagging due to age. In such a case, you have only one reliable solution—and that is to completely remove the whole window frame. After that, you will have to reframe the window opening and purchase and install an entirely new set of windows and frames.
However, this really serious issue is fortunately very rare. Such structural anomalies are very infrequent, and most windows are built to last. This is why windows that refuse to slide properly in their tracks can, more often than not, be remedied with some very basic solutions.
Try To Clean The Window Tracks As Thoroughly As Possible
The more the dirt and grime, the more it will increase the friction between the window rollers and the tracks. If the buildup is big enough, it will bind the frames solidly into their tracks. You should consider vacuum cleaning the tracks in order to remove all the dust, lint, and dirt. Once that is done, you should wash the tracks with a powerful detergent and finally wipe them clean with a soft and clean cloth that’s well moistened with a thin layer of furniture wax in case it’s a wooden window frame. If you have vinyl track windows, you should consider using a strong household cleaning liquid. This simple step alone is usually adequate enough to restore your windows to its usual efficient operation.
Remove Any Paint Residue That You See
You should also inspect your window tracks for any signs of dried paint flakes. It is very important to note here that the windows track is never meant to be painted at all. Unfortunately, few people understand this and end up painting them anyway. In case the previous paint job had been sloppy, it will simply leave paint drips on the wood or vinyl tracks. The paint will almost certainly crack and start peeling off. This will inevitably increase the core friction in and on the tracks. If the paint is thick enough, it will stop your windows from opening or closing altogether. In this case, the ideal thing to do is to scrape away all that loose paint and start lightly sanding your window tracks. This might actually loosen the mechanism enough to allow your window to start moving freely on its frame.
Sometimes, wooden windows might not budge at all because they have been painted tight shut inside their tracks. It is possible to break the paint seal in-between the frame and the channel with the help of a very sharp utility knife. Once the paint has been removed, the windows will start moving again.
Lubricate The Channels Properly
Both wooden window frames and their vinyl counterparts have to be adequately lubricated to ensure that the windows remain as smooth as ever.
o Wooden Window Frames
Once you have cleaned your wooden window frames quite thoroughly, you should lubricate their channels methodically lubricating them with furniture wax. You can even use white candle wax in a pinch. Just use a light coat and open and close them a few times to ensure that it has set in properly.
o Vinyl Window Tracks
On vinyl track windows, the best solution to any sticky windows problem is to clean the vinyl tracks and to lubricate them with a very thin coating or layer of silicone lubricant. This process should be repeated at least once a year.
Don’t Ever Use Any Oil Based Products
People generally resort to oil-based products in order to fix their windows and have them sliding smoother than ever before. With that said, whichever oil you use will only offer a completely temporary solution since oil tends to serve as a sort of magnets for dust, dirt, and grime. In the long run, any oil-based treatment will automatically make your windows even stickier than ever before. This is why you should always refrain from using any sort of oil-based products on either wooden or your vinyl windows and frames.
Conclusion
In light of the above discussion, we can safely conclude that it is not very difficult to make your windows slide easier, provided that you stay away from oil-based solutions.
About Author:-
An industrial designer trade, Daniel decided to follow his interest in design & manufacturing which has allowed him to travel around the world to lend his expertise within various industries. Currently, he works as a marketing consultant with Anthony Innovations – a leading manufacturer & supplier of sliding glass door rollers & window rollers. Daniel has a keen eye for innovation and enjoys thinking of ways to make things better
