Can wooden windows still be saved?

Hello dear forum,

we recently bought a (still quite) nice house and as is often the case, once the initial excitement has worn off after signing the contract, you still find a few defects here and there.

The windows of the bedroom and children's room face the weather side (sun all day, often wind). During the viewing, we already noticed that the wood looked very dry and there were some paint flakes here and there. The seller wanted to take care of this (including a complete facade painting, since he owns a painting company). However, after these works were completed, we noticed that he had just painted over it. Below, the paint is already peeling again and the wood between the seals no longer looks very good.

Our relatively generous buffer has quickly shrunk due to various renovation works (bathroom, wallpaper because of a smoker household, kitchen) and many unexpected problems. That is why we are now looking for a way to refresh the windows somewhat. Unfortunately, these are not standard windows, but expensive and elaborate bat dormers.

Attached are 2 pictures of the worst 2 spots. Can the windows be made fit again for a few years and what is the best way to proceed? In any case, they are still watertight and close well.

Regards

Is the wood still solid, or is it soft and rotted? That is hard to see in the pictures.
Best regards,
Andreas

Hard to describe. With enough pressure, it can certainly be pressed in. I would describe it as very dry but still somewhat firm.

Then one idea would be to simply sand it down and repaint it. That should last a few more years if the underlying material is really still good.

Best regards,

Andreas

I just came across my own thread while looking for something else. To clarify, we ended up having the window replaced after all. Later on, a large rotten piece of wood was discovered in the frame because the outer windowsill had been installed with the wrong angle back then (the water collected instead of draining away). Unfortunately, we then went with a cheap carpenter who installed an inexpensive plastic window for us. Don't get me wrong, the carpenter’s work is okay - hardly any mess made, installed cleanly, no need for further renovation. However, the window itself is rubbish; they have already been here 3 times to readjust it (including taking the sash out again and re-shimming it?), but it just doesn't open and close properly, and the seals are really basic, which causes noticeable drafts in winter and during storms. But oh well, we’re both just about 30 years old and you learn from mistakes. Next time we’ll get something better.

Now to the main point: We wanted to properly secure and repaint/stain our ground floor windows. My wife and I tried, but it just looks terrible, we’re both hopeless at this. Now I have the problem that nobody wants to do this work.

Who is responsible for window renovation? The carpenter says go to the painter, the painter says go to the carpenter. At the moment, I don’t even know whom I should contact?!

Ultimately, it doesn't matter whether a carpenter or painter does it. Call everyone and see who wants to do it. I think bigger companies have no time for such peanuts. Either MyHammer or something similar, or post a request in a regional Facebook group. There are quite a few craftsmen who grab their small jobs that way. Usually also by recommendation.