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?

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 ...

Before you start shopping for new windows, you need to know what can be fixed or done to make the windows you have now more energy-efficient. Of course, replacing your old windows with new ones will ...