Window Sash Repairs

Regularly inspect the window sashes for signs of damage, mildew and mold. By catching these problems early you can save money on future repairs.

The sash is the interior frame that is vertically moved either up or down in windows that open. This article will show you how to carry out a few simple sash repair.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide the classic look to your home. If properly maintained, can last for a long time. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time, due to exposure and normal wear. However, sash repair experts can restore your windows to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step in sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping, which is found on both the sash as well as the frame. It can cause drafts if damaged or is loose. Start by identifying the brand of window and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corners or the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, remove the sash and place it on a surface to allow access to all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, you must remove the ropes and weights that should be buried inside the jamb lining. Once you've removed the sash, use a utility knife to cut off the weather stripping from the corners, and then remove it manually or with a putty knife.

When the sash is clean it is time to replace the parting stops. These are long pieces wood that divide the two sashes. Pam likes to replace them with standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you could also use scrap wood.

After removing the parting stop and trimming it to length and then apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth out the compound using your putty knife, and then let it dry for a minimum of a day. Once the putty has fully cure and dried, you can apply an acrylic latex topcoat. This will protect the putty, and give your sash a fresh appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear due to time and usage, and the result can be a door Window Repairs or window that can't be opened or closed easily. It's important to know that replacing and repair of this hardware is typically simple and inexpensive. If you're having difficulty opening the sash, spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash up and open to see if that fixes the problem. If not, the issue is likely to be with the balance of the sash and you'll need to take out the sash to access the hardware.

Window sashes need to open and close with little effort. However, this may be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash-to rail meeting rail is not properly glazed. This issue could be caused by a variety of things, such as the lack of maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the specific window sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner that's in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To correct the issue make sure the sash is in the proper position within the frame's opening and Window Repairs remove it. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Windows that are old, especially in older houses, can be difficult to open and close due to hinges that are sagging and an overall lack of energy efficiency. Sometimes just a few easy fixes can make these windows operate smoothly and help homeowners save money on energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will allow you to get the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Then, remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the beads that separate (Photo 2) and the cords or chains which hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with a heat gun set to medium and fitted with an shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and keep it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be changed to improve the performance of your window sash and decrease the energy cost. Sash weights are composed of heavy iron or lead cylinders that are enclosed in a concealed cavity and connected by a rope to the movable window sash. These weights provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be shut and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. If they fail, sashweights are usually left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.

It's not easy to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits correctly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length of sashcord and some sashpulleys to tie the new weights to the cord.

Older wood windows are joined with mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs holding the components together can be removed with pin punches and hammers. Most of them have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller size on the other side, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line with a knife, then tapping the mortised section loose with mallets.

After the sash is released, you can remove the sash stops and gain access to the weight pockets. This is usually done via an opening at the bottom of every jamb. The hole is surrounded by an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inside workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel is removed, you are able to remove the old weight and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you begin, as the weights that were previously used may be a different size than what you require. Once the new weight is in place you can tie a string around it and then thread it through the pulley for the sash. Then, you can attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches of space at the head of the string to allow future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double glazed window repairs near me-hung window, a chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes of the jamb level. As time passes, these cords may break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord will restore the ability to move the sash up and down and will keep it in its place when it is opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually fixed or screwed in and must be removed or moved. It is possible to remove them with an axe or hammer, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can start working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pry the small parting beads out of their grooves. These are often wedged in or nailed, but they can be snipped out which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and-tenon joints out with a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able move around freely now, however it may need some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.

Take a measurement of the length of the sash chain or sash cord required to reach the sash slot on the bottom from the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain and attach it in Step 6 above. You can either employ a hammer, screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have a kit that replaces the old counterbalance system, it's recommended to keep the original weights for balancing in place. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be easy to install once you have the sash unlocked. Based on the size and shape of your window repair you may need to use one or two sashweights in order to keep it open.