Window Frames and Casings

Window Replacement vs. Restoration; Know Your Surface Prep Options

Contractors, architects and building professionals alike are aptly prepared for cleaning and removal of coatings and contaminants from historic and sensitive wall substrates, but what about window frames and their casings? These window frames and casings are often made of metallic substrates in decorative style. They are often costly to strip of corrosion and lead-based paint and frequently too costly to remove and replace – but there IS a way to quickly, safely and controllably restore them in place. You can rely on dry, chemical-free Sponge Media™ blasting when restoring windows, frames, sash, and architectural surroundings.

Sponge-Jet’s cleaning and restorative Sponge Media allows users to remove contaminants, corrosion and coatings without damaging windows and their surroundings.

Overall Value:

  • Cost-effectively restore windows rather than replace them.
  • Removes environmental contaminants, corrosion and/or coating layers.
  • Save time/money with less window deconstruction and reconstruction.
  • Quick and mobile staging, blast cleaning and cleanup.
  • Usable on hardwoods, ferrous and non-ferrous substrates (e.g. oak, cast iron, aluminum).

Features & Benefits

  • Easily containable so other trades can work nearby
  • Low media ricochet won’t harm adjacent substrates
  • Certain Sponge Media products won’t etch glass
  • Selectively Removes Coatings
  • Environmentally Responsible - Recyclable multiple times
  • Safe and dry... no harsh chemicals or runoff
  • Not temperature sensitive like chemical strippers
  • Requires no pH balancing before painting

  • Lead Paint Removal from Window Frames at Residences at St Elizabeth’s West

    The former St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (on the NPS Register of National Historic Places) had over 1,500 lead-based-painted windows and casings blasted with Silver 60 Sponge Media™. Containment around the windows (inside and out) was smaller than required by ordinary abrasive blasting options; this allowed other trades to work nearby simultaneously. Enhanced visibility, precision and controlability associated with Sponge Blasting enabled the operators to protect adjacent brick walls from over-blast.

  • Window Curtain Walls at Historic Art Deco Federal Courthouse are Deleaded

    During complete renovation, building management selected Silver 60 Sponge Media™ to completely delead decorative case iron window connectors. The circa 1936, Austin Federal Courthouse is on the National Register.

  • Lead Paint Removal from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Train Station

    Safety of passenger and workers, along with trades being able to work productively nearby blasting, led to use of Silver 80 Sponge Media™. 132 cast iron light court windows and curtain walls were blasted during evenings in the USA’s 12th busiest train station.

  • Blasting Aluminum Windows during Government Building Overhaul

    Blasted near windows using White SPOCC Sponge Media™ is an excellent option for rehabbing of old Government buildings. Blasters can quickly and efficiently Sponge Blast aluminum window frames up to the glass edge with no protection. While Sponge Media allows for blasting directly next to glass, minor precautions are recommended to prevent accidental damage.

  • Health Department Building is Repurposed; 300 Windows restored

    Building owners called for selective stripping of top-coat without disturbing existing lead-based primer. Windows were too large to remove and transport, so blasting occurred in each room using Silver 220 Sponge Media™.

  • Removing Coatings from Cast Iron Windows at Stearns Department Store

    During major restoration of iconic home of Sterns Department Stores, Silver 30 Sponge Media™ was used to remove layers of failed coating and provide a clean profiled substrate on exterior cast iron/steel walls, window frames and other decorative ornaments.

  • Lead Paint Removal from Tower Windows Frames on Nubble Lighthouse

    The 141-year old, cast iron tower and window casings were stripped of old paint using Silver 30 Sponge™ abrasive. The natural suppression of dust at the source of abrasive impact combined with reduced abrasive ricochet, allowed painters to quickly follow blasters – which reduced the chance of misting sea salt (chloride) contamination.

Sponge-Jet Resource Center

Resources

Sponge-Jet Resource Center

Resources

  • Sponge-Jet Restoration

    A major challenge conservators face is the uniqueness of each restoration project.

    View Video

  • Sponge-Jet Introductory Brochure

    PDF document shows how Sponge-Jet’s abrasive blasting technology protects worker health and the en…

    Download

  • Coating Removal from Window Frames and Casings

    Contractors charged with restoring large buildings often have the time consuming task of repairing a…

    View Video
More Resources

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