Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for signs of damage, mildew and mold. If you catch these issues early you can save money on repairs in the future.

The sash is the interior framing that moves vertically up or down in windows that are open. This article will show you how to do a variety of simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also sturdy and last for a long time 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 specialists can restore windows to their original state and maintain their beauty much longer than replacement windows.

The first step for sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping. It's 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 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 the appropriate weather stripping replacement to match.

Then, take the sash from its holder, and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to reach all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll need to remove the weights as well as the ropes that go with them that should have fallen into the pocket of the jamb liner. After removing the sash with the utility knife, remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or using the putty blade.

After the sash is cleaned, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that divide the 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, apply a thin coat of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty tool and Window Repairs let it dry for at least a day. Once the putty has fully cured, you can apply an acrylic latex topcoat. This will protect the putty, and give your sash an updated appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports the windows sashes can become worn out over time and with use. This could lead to a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is usually quite simple and inexpensive. If you're having trouble opening the sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash open to see if it resolves the problem. If not, the issue is most likely due to the balance of the sash and you'll have to take off the sash in order to access this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut without effort, but this is an issue when the weights wear out or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly glazed. This problem could be caused by many factors such as a lack of maintenance and an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to slide, this could cause the sash to slide and eventually hit the frame in the corner in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To fix this problem, first ensure that the sash is firmly seated in the frame's opening and then take it out of the upvc window repair. If the sash was attached to the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older houses, can be difficult to close and open due to hinges that are sagging and an overall inefficiency. In most instances, a few minor repairs can turn these windows into smooth operation and save homeowners money on energy costs.

To make these repairs to the sash, it's important to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will make it easier to position the channel in the correct place when you are finished. Remove the sash and 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 an electric heat gun set to medium and equipped with an nozzle shield. Remove the old sash, and put it in a labelled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and reduce energy costs. Sash weights are made of heavy iron or lead cylinders that are encased in a hidden cavity and attached by a rope to the movable window sash. They are counterbalancers that allows the window to be closed and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. The sash weights are usually disregarded or disabled by homeowners and turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently, you may need to find replacements.

It's difficult to retrieve 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 fresh piece of string, a length sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Older wood windows are joined using mortise and tenon joints. Pin punch and hammer can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the parts together. The majority of them have a large diameter on one side and a smaller size on the other side, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife or mallet.

After the sash has been removed, you can remove the sash stop and access the weight pocket. This is usually done via a small hole at the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered with an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

After you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to take off the weight of the old sash and replace it with new. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights may be a different size than what you require. After the new weight is installed, you can thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then attach the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double-hung windows the chain or cord is connected to the weights. This keeps the sashes in the jamb level. Over time, these cords could break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cable will restore the ability to move and lower the sash, and keep it in position when opened.

The first step to replace cords for sash is to locate and remove the access panels in the jambs. They are usually screwed or nailed into and need to be removed. It is possible to remove them using the hammer or chisel however, it is best to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you can begin working on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves with the chisel or flat bar. These are often wedged in or nailed, but they can be snipped out, so it's worth taking your time here. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise-and tenon joints with a screwdriver or hammer and then take out each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely now, but it may require some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.

With the sash in an open position Take a measurement of the sash chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the chain or cord and then secure it in Step 6 above. You can employ a hammer, screws or nails, however nails are less likely to cause damage.

Unless you've bought an upgrade kit to replace the old counterbalance system it is recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. They're not expensive and simple to install if purchased them from architectural salvage stores. Based on the dimensions and shape of your window, you might need to install one or two sashweights to keep the sash open.