I just moved into a new fixer-upper, and I'm facing some challenges with warped window frames that prevent the windows from closing properly. The primary concern is heat loss during the winter since we don't use the A/C too often. While I know that the ultimate solution would be to replace the bay window, that's not in the budget right now. I'm looking for some "good enough" and "better" temporary fixes to make sure the windows can be closed and latched properly. Any advice?
4 Answers
If it is a bay window, those can be tricky since they need proper support. You might want to level it out and adjust things underneath to help the windows close better. Just keep in mind, this would be only a temporary fix.
I recently watched a segment on "This Old House" that showed how to adjust windows. They removed trim and added wood to straighten the window frames. You could try something similar, and don't forget that tape and plastic work well when it gets chilly!
It sounds like your bay window might be sagging, which is pretty common. A good fix for that is to jack it up to level it out and add some additional supports underneath if that’s the culprit. It's worth checking!
Have you checked if it's the sashes that are warped instead of the frame? Removing the sashes can give you a better idea of what's causing the problem. With things being so hectic after closing, I get it; it's easy to overlook it!
Not yet. We've been tackling a ton of other urgent repairs first.

Yeah, mine fell out a decade ago! Not a fun day to remember.