Stay Safe From Lead Paint By Restoring Your Older Windows

Fifty-plus years ago, lead was an additive to paint and began to be substituted with other materials because its negative effects were coming to light. Lead paint was banned in 1978, as there are many innate dangers involving this metal. This being said, many homes before this phase-out have been painted with material containing lead. Today we are well aware of the dangers of lead paint around the house, not to mention around children. Keeping lead out of the house means ensuring all surfaces containing lead are replaced or restored.

Lead is a heavy metal that is quite hard and dense. This made it ideal for putting into the paint as a binding agent. It was marketed as being durable, long-lasting paint that caught the eye of the average consumer. When dry, the paint formed a strong enamel-like coating which was brittle and chipped when damaged. Any house built before the late 70s is likely to contain lead paint. This means any home buyer must be on the lookout for lead paint in their newly acquired homes, and especially in their windows.

Lead poisoning occurs within the human body with continuous exposure to lead. Being surrounded by lead paint for years could cause the body to build up lead poisoning, which is difficult to detect early on. Some symptoms of lead poisoning are loss of appetite, seizures, vomiting, difficulty with memory, and even developmental delays. These symptoms can occur even quicker and more severely in children under six years old, so we must be vigilant when inspecting for lead paint in a family home.

Lead paint is sometimes found in the paint around a homeowner’s windows. The original wood windows may already need repair, and therefore one might consider killing two birds with one stone by restoring the windows. This cost-and resource-efficient decision is a wise move for homeowners who suspect having lead-painted windows. Restoring your windows means getting the best parts of your house back to you in the condition they should be in. Replacing your windows may mean getting rid of historic architecture.

Fully replacing your windows may be a good decision when the project calls for it. The average window, however, just needs some care and a steady hand to fix what was wrong with it. Many homeowners agree that original wood windows are a beautiful asset to their home that they would prefer not to get rid of. Most homeowners decide to restore their windows, when possible, to cut down on costs as well as materials needed. Especially when considering that restoring wood windows means cutting down on waste and pollution.

When one suspects having lead paint in their home, one must do a complete inspection to assure a safe environment for themselves and other loved ones in the home. If lead paint is found on original, yet otherwise unblemished windows, the best choice is to hold on to them and restore them to their original beauty without any of the harmful lead paint.

Let the professionals at Window Makeover check out your windows to see if restoration is the best choice for you. Contact us today for an estimate, and get the peace of mind that your home is safe for your family.