How To Open Attic Painted Shut

Most old windows have been painted shut on both the exterior and interior so let s start with the interior.

How to open attic painted shut. Use putty knife to open the joint between the bottom sash and stool windowsill. Be very careful not to cut yourself or gouge the wood while cutting the windows open. Be gentle when lifting the window. Break off as much of the obstructing paint as possible.

In this video i ll show you an easy way to take care of those painted shut windows or separate painted on moulding away from your wall or doorway so that yo. Jodi marks using a flat pry bar to open a window that has been painted shut. Position a flat pry bar on the outside of the window where the sash meets the sill and tap it with a hammer to force the pry bar under the sash. Use the razor blade to draw a straight line between the sash and window stops on both sides.

Try to avoid damaging the wood by running the knife in the space between the sash and the frame. Make sure it is unlocked first. Try lifting the sash. The first image shows the painted up edge.

You may need to do this several times to get through the paint. Forcing it is a sure way to break it. Slide putty knife along the meeting rail where the top and bottom sash meet. If it feels a little loose slide a putty knife or paint scraper into the surrounding joints again.

If it s still stuck move on to the next step. Go back inside your home and try to lift the sash up with your hands. To free paint stuck window. Slide a putty knife between the stop bead and window sash to cut through the paint seal.