Window Sash Repairs

Regularly inspect the window sashes for signs of damage, mildew and mold. You can save future repair costs by catching the issues in the early stages, before they get out of hand.

The sash is the internal framing that can be moved vertically up or down in windows that open. This article will show you how to do simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can add an elegant look to your home. They are also durable and will last for many years if they are properly maintained. However, they may become damaged or deteriorate over time due to exposure to the elements and wear and wear and tear. Sash Repair My Windows And Doors experts can restore windows to their original condition and maintain their appearance longer than replacement windows.

The first step for repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping. It's found on both the sash as well as the frame. It could cause drafts if worn out or loose. To fix it, begin by finding your window doctor brand Repair My Windows And Doors and the date on which the glass was manufactured (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Take the sash off, and mark its width and height so that you can find a replacement weather stripping that matches.

Next, remove the sash and place it on a table so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, you must remove the weights using their ropes that should have fallen into the pocket in the jamb lining. After removing the sash with the utility knife, you can remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or with a putty knife.

Once the sash is clear and clean, you can put in the parting stops. These are long pieces that divide the sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you can also use with a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the stopper and cutting it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth out the compound using your putty knife and let it dry for a minimum of a day. When it's completely dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a new appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes susceptible to wear and tear from time and usage, and the result can be a door or window that won't open or close easily. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is generally relatively easy and affordable. If a sash becomes difficult to operate you can try spraying some lubrication into the jamb channel, and then slide it open to see if that resolves the issue. If not, the issue is likely to be with the sash balance, and you'll have to take off the sash to access the hardware.

Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut with very little effort, however, this can be difficult when the weights wear out or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly glazed. This problem can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as lack of maintenance or by a mismatched weight rating for the particular window sash.

If the hinges on a window begin to sag this can cause the sash drag and then hit the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To correct the issue ensure that the sash is in the proper position within the frame's opening and remove it. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll need to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close due to hinges that are sagging and an overall lack of energy efficiency. In many cases just a few easy fixes can make these windows operate smoothly and save homeowners money on their energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will assist you in getting the channel back in position correctly after you've completed. Remove the sash and remove the hardware including the beads that separate (Photo 2) and the cords or chains that secure it. Heat gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any putty that has been hardened. Take off the old sash and put it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be changed to enhance the efficiency of your window sash, and also reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and linked to the moveable the sash with a rope. These weights provide counterbalance that allows the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash-weights are typically disregarded or disabled by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they break; therefore, you may need to search for replacements.

It is difficult to recover an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sashcord and a few sashpulleys to secure the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. Pin punch and hammer can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the parts together. The majority of them have large diameters on one side and a smaller size on the other, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line with an instrument, and then tapping the mortised part loose using a mallet.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove the stops on the sash and get access to the pockets for weights. This is usually done via an opening at the bottom of every jamb. This hole is covered by an access panel of wood which can be removed so that you can see the inner workings of the frame.

After you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to take off the weight from the sash and replace it with the new. Make sure you weigh the sash before you do this, since the old weights could be a different size than what is needed. After the new weight has been installed, you can thread an appropriate length of string through the pulling mechanism. Then, attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches of space at the head of the string for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double-hung windows, a chain or cord is connected to the weights. This keeps the sashes in the jamb in a balanced manner. Over time, these chains can get damaged and render it impossible to raise windows. A new sash cord will give you the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and keep it in place when opened.

The first step to replace sash cords is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are typically screwed or nailed in and must be removed. You may be able to employ a hammer and chisel to remove them, but it's always better to lay down 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 tiny partsing beads out of their grooves. It is important to be patient because they are usually placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise-and tenon joints using a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. You should now be able to move the sash back and forth without difficulty, though it may require oil if it feels stiff.

With the sash open, Repair my windows and doors measure enough sash cord/chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the cord or chain, and then secure it in the step 6 above. You can either employ a hammer, screws or nails, however nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have a kit that replaces the old counterbalance system, it is recommended to keep the original weights for balancing in place. They're not costly and easy to install if you purchase them at architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size and shape of your window, you may need to use one or two sashweights in order to keep it open.