Q: I wanted to make some changes to the look of my 25-year-old kitchen. Although the cabinets are in excellent condition and I still like their style and color, I thought a new set of cabinet pulls would go a long way toward updating their look. Unfortunately, when I unscrewed the existing pulls, I found most of them were stuck to the cabinets.

I thought about running a razor blade around the edges but I’m worried that doing so would damage the finish.

The new pulls match the existing holes but the new design is just slightly narrower on the ends, so preserving the finish is important. Do you have any suggestions?

A: Might be built-up wax, or someone along the way might have glued the pulls to the surface as the hardware loosened and there was no longer an easy way to tighten them.

I always try denatured alcohol to soften paint or glue so that I can wipe it away.

There are household cleaners that would do the same thing, but some mar or dull the shine. Give it a try but be very careful.

Q: I have metal windows installed in my condo in Sea Isle City, N.J.

I am not sure I have the correct terminology, but there is a thin substance that separates the interior sill from the exterior sill.

When I got the windows 10 years ago, the installer secured the windows to the building by screwing the window through this substance.

Someone pointed out that the substance that separates the two sills prevents the transfer of cold or heat from the outside sill to the inside sill.

The substance is now shrinking away from the screws. Someone told me to take the screws out and fill the holes with silicone sealant and immediately put the screws back.

A: I assume the windows are aluminum, and from what I’ve read, silicone sealant provides an airtight seal, as well as a water-resistant one. I’d say proceed.