Has anyone ever taken the struts out of paneled windows?

Question

Hey everyone, is there a way to take out the "struts" on a paneled window, or is the window made up of smaller windows? Like can I successfully take out the metal struts to make the window look better without ruining the entire window?

I noticed a lot of these older style houses in my area have these paneled windows that I think looks hideous. A window looks so much better when there is nothing blocking your view from the outside, and it looks more modern.

Also too, can I polish a fogged window to make it clear again? Or do I need to replace them? Thanks for the help

David Dachtera · Answer

@Chad Fernendaz,

It's going to depend on the window.

If it's on the inside or outside, there may be a way to remove it.

If it's between the panes, no. You'd have to replace the window sashes with insulated ones having no grids between the panes, or replace the insulated double-pane with one having no grid inside.

In most areas, it will depend what the buyers want.

Brian Pulaski · Answer

@Geoffrey Schnake

http://mgerwingarch.com/m-gerwing/2011/01/18/munti...

Not sure you are correct... I'm far from a know it all however and would call what we are describing "grilles" anyway.

Jim Adrian · Answer

Who needs spelling anyways! Lol

Brian Pulaski · Answer

@Jim Adrian Muntin, not Muttin? :D.

My guess on a 1970s house, is they are applied to the exterior of the glass and you won't have individual panes between them. Should be very easy to determine when standing at the window.

Jim Adrian · Answer

@Chad Fernendaz

To get the fog out of the glass you need to replace the insulated glass due the seal being broken.

The struts your are referring to are called muttins.  Muttins are very common in historical or classical houses.  Stay true to the style of the house.

Typically you are better off replacing windows to remove the muttins.  You will have a trim issue when you remove them when the muttins are applied to the outside of the glass.  If the muttins are inside the glass then you need to replace the glass.  Muttins inside the glass are better IMO for the ease of cleaning glass.

David Dachtera · Answer

@Chad Fernendaz,

I still think you need to let go of "making it look better" and instead make it look like what the buyers will want.

Ask around, ask local agents, ask local home designers / decorators, etc.

What you like may or may not be what the buyers want. Go with the sure thing!

For what it's worth, you can maybe get a better price if can justify replacing the windows, even if it's a 70's home (40-ish years old).

Chad Fernendaz · Answer

Originally posted by @Matt Gragg:

@Chad Fernendaz Are the windows you are speaking of vinyl? or wood?

Is it a historical house in a historical neighborhood?

I agree with @David Dachtera "Don't get hung up on what you like"

Here is what we ask our self...... Is it going to make me/us more money? or hold up a sale of a house? If the answer is no, we don't do it.

We use to add and do things we like but it is hard to find a person with our or your same taste. Keep it simple, time is money...

Yes and I realize what both you are saying is true. However, this house i'm looking at has an ARV of 200,000. And I want everything to look and feel modernized. And no, I'm sure this house is not a "historical house" because it was built in the 70s. I need this house to look as modern as possible. I don't need anything bringing the house down when I can do something as simple as taking the struts off AS LONG AS THERE IS A SOLID WINDOW UNDERNEATH.

Now if there is not a full solid window then yes, I think I am going to have to consider leaving it in place and seeing what I can do to make it look better.  I am just trying to generate ideas for the house because I am a noob that just wants to do his best.

Have a good day

David Dachtera · Answer

@Chad Fernendaz,

Is your preference against them based on input from what agents say their buyers want, or is it based on your own personal preferences?

For an older home, there's another factor to consider: historic preservation. Make sure it's not on the city's list of historic homes.

If it is, you'll have to replace what's there with like stuff - windows, siding, roofing, trim, ... the works.

If not, you'll actually REDUCE the value by doing what YOU think is an improvement, but what the buyers say doesn't fit with the home's character. Older homes should have windows appropriate to their own period, not 21st Century looks.

If buying a home for yourself, go for it!

If buying a home for repair and resale, go with the market - what YOU prefer is irrelevant.

Matt Gragg · Answer

@Chad Fernendaz Are the windows you are speaking of vinyl? or wood?

Is it a historical house in a historical neighborhood?

I agree with @David Dachtera "Don't get hung up on what you like"

Here is what we ask our self...... Is it going to make me/us more money? or hold up a sale of a house? If the answer is no, we don't do it.

We use to add and do things we like but it is hard to find a person with our or your same taste. Keep it simple, time is money...

Has anyone ever taken the struts out of paneled windows?

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