What kind of craftsman repairs really old windows?

This isn't skilled labor, as I have done it. If the wood is intact, doesn't need replacement, then a "handyman" would do. If wood needs replacing, you would need to have wood milled to match the old, and some woodworking skill to put it together.

This isn't a bad spring/fall job, as long as it isn't raining or too cold. We redid windows on my daughter's house, without removing sashes. I would have taken out the saches, stripped inside and outside, replaced sash ropes, etc., with more time. This was during a vacation trip :o)

With lead base paint, you do not want to sand. Take them out and use a heat gun or torch to remove the majority of the paint. Need to avoid breathing fumes. Stripper, along with appropriate disposal, is best for lead paint but likely more expensive.

If you have a retired neighbor who likes to take on odd jobs, and knows what they are doing, it might be ideal. Reglazing isn't rocket science, but needs to be done right and takes a bit of practice. When we worked on my daughter's windows, I asked at the local (fantastic) old-fashioned hardware store, about having new pieces made for the wood storms that sat on the garage floor too long and got eaten by termites or some such. They knew of a couple of guys who did that kind of work but I ended up using wood filler - looked good, had to be handled carefully but did the job they were designed to do :o)

I would do it, but I don't think there are wood framed windows within

New Orleans. If you don't want to make a trip just to give an estimate, do you have any union colleagues here you'd recommend? zemedelec

Yeah......ROFA. Retired Old Farts of America. I can get to N'awleans if you are willing to put hubby and I up for a while :o) We charge union rate, three squares a day. Could get by if you have room for us to park the camper. We are old and slow.....how many windows? All first floor? We do windows, but not if ladders required :o)

take them to your local hardware store for re-glazing. or maybe someone down on Bourbon St. could use the money.

Hi, I'd rather go to a glass shop. Not hardware tore. Tony

Tony offered excellent advice. You may want to shop by phone. Around here some of the glass shops have outside craftsmen who rebuild and repair sashes for them and some don't want to be bothered with a job like yours. Find the right shop and except for hauling them in and back U R done.

I'm afraid moving even one 6 x 3 sash-weighted window from its moorings and carrying down a floor to my subcompact del Sol is beyond me...which is why I'm looking for a qualified person to help me. zemedelec

Ever thought of wintering in So. CA? There are a number of homeowners on my block that could keep you busy re-habbing *first story* old bungalow windows for months. We like preservation, but it's hard to find qualified craftspeople. It seems most of the ROFoA around here have already switched to aluminum or vinyl replacement windows