When you recaulk a window, what exactly do you recaulk?

Question

I know it sounds like a pretty dumb question but as you can probably tell I have never done this before. We have old windows which I assume are originals to the house which is over 100 years old. Some are just so beat up that they will need to be replaced but some are still OK and I would like to recaulk them but don't know what I'm supposed to recaulk. There is caulk between the (I guess) frame and outer window with screen. Is that where I caulk? What about the stuff that holds the glass in place? Do I do that too? I tried looking it up on google but that didn't help and most things talked about bath tubs and showers. Any help would be great but pics would be better since I don't know what anything is called, lol.

Answer 1

Caulk goes around the brickmolding of the window.  You apply caulk to wherever the window meets the siding or brick.  That closes the small gap found there.  Use a good 100%  silicone for this.  

If you ever replace the windows, have them apply caulk around the outside of the opening before they install the window.  This will give you an airtight installation.  Many siding/window contractors do this, but many do not.

Answer 2

Recaulking a window is done the old fashioned way by using linseed oil putty. First you have to clean the old putty out using a chisel or scraper being careful not to damage the glass.

The glass is usually held in by small nails and covered over with the putty. The putty is used to hold the glass and stopping it from rattling and to stop water from getting in.

Just look at the existing putty and see how it is finished before you dig it out

Get the putty out of the container and kneed it in your hands(to get the putty workable) using a putty knife fill in the area roughly untill all the area is filled in.Using the putty knife run along the putty to it smooth it out on an angle approx 45 degrees like you are making a bead to hold the glass.When you come to the corners carefully make a neat mitred corner.

If the putty is a little stiff when you are trying to smoothe out dip the blade into some turpintine and shake it off. Don't use too much as this makes the putty wet and harder to finish. When you are using the knife on the angle you need to make sure that you cover the timber inside the glass other wise you will see it.

Scrape off the excess putty and allow to dry before painting.

Todays method you would use a timber bead and silicone but the best they had a long time ago was the putty

The linseed putty should be available at a good hardware or paint supplier. it must be linseed and not ordinary putty as ordinary putty will dry outand fall out.

Good luck with your project

Answer 3

Apply the caulk where the window frame meets the wall, both inside and out.

Answer 4

You are probably talking about glazing, not caulk. Try googling that and see if that helps, but there's more to it than you think; you might want to hire a professional. But, if you choose to do it, remove the loose glazing first. I don't want to discourage you from doing it though. Try a few and you'll see that it's a skill that only gets better with time. Good luck.