Dear James: The wood frame windows in my vintage house are pretty deteriorated. I want to repair them, not replace them, to maintain its character. What repairs to them can I do myself? — Don H. Dear ...

Time takes its toll on old windows: Consider the thick layers of cracked paint, the broken panes, and the missing caulk. And don’t forget about windows that no longer open. What’s a homeowner to do?

Steve Jordan, author of "The Window Sash Bible: A Guide to Maintaining and Restoring Old Wood Windows," recently addressed an avid New Orleans audience of architects, homeowners and other ...