Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for signs of damage, mildew and mold. You can save future repair timber windows costs by catching problems early on before they become out of control.

The sash is an interior framing that can be moved vertically up or down in windows that are open. This article will show you how to perform several simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add a classic aesthetic to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for a long time. However, they can get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure and normal wear. Sash repair specialists can restore windows to their original state and maintain their appearance much longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the primary thing to address when repairing sash windows. It's located on both the frame and the sash. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. Start by identifying the window's brand 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 width and height so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface so you can access all four sides. If your sash has a double glazed window repairs-hung, you'll have to remove the weights as well as their accompanying ropes which should have slipped into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to cut off the weather stripping from the corners, then take it off by hand or using a putty blade.

After the sash has been cleared and clean, you can put in 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, but you can also replace them with scrap wood.

After removing the stopper for the parting and cutting it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth out the compound using your putty knife and sash window repair let it dry for a minimum of a day. Once it's fully cured, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a fresh appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear from age and use, and the result can be a door or window that can't be opened or closed easily. It's important to know that replacing and repair of this hardware is typically 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 it fixes the problem. If not, the problem is most likely due to the balance of the sash and you'll need to take out the sash to gain access to the hardware.

Window sashes need to open and close with little effort. However, this can be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash-to rail connecting rail isn't properly coated. This issue could be caused by a variety of things, such as insufficient maintenance or the wrong weight rating for a particular sash.

If the hinge arms on windows begin to slide, this can cause the sash drag and then hit the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix this issue, first make sure the sash is firmly seated in the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash was screwed onto the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, especially those in older houses, can be difficult to open and close due to sagging hinges and general inefficiency. In many instances, a few easy repairs can transform these windows into smooth operation again and save the homeowner cash on energy costs.

It is essential to have the tools you need before you start. Begin by marking the position of the hinge channel on the frame using a pencil (Photo 1). This will assist you in getting the channel back on position correctly after you've completed. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware, including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty using an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with an nozzle shield. Remove the old sash, and put it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the performance of your window Sash Window Repair and reduce energy costs. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable the sash with rope. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights tend to be ignored or disabled by homeowners.

It's difficult to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sash cord and some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. The wood pegs holding the parts together can be removed using a pin punch and hammer. The majority of these pegs are large on one side, and smaller on the other. It is essential to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line with a knife, then tapping the mortised section loose with a mallet.

Once the sash is freed and removed, you can take off the sash stop and access the weight pocket. Usually, this is done through a hole near the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with a wooden access panel which can be removed to allow you to view the inside of the frame.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel has been removed, you can take off the old weight and replace it. Weigh the sash first because the weights you have might not be the right size. After the new weight has been installed, thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, but only leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustment.

Sash Cords

Most old double-hung windows include a chain or cord attached to the weights that helps keep the sashes balanced within the jamb. As time passes, these cords can become damaged and make it difficult to raise windows. A new sash cord will restore the ability to move the sash up and down and keep it in position when it is opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually installed by screws or nails and will need to be removed or relocated. It may be possible to remove them with an axe or hammer, but it is always better to lay out dust sheets before beginning any work.

Once the access panel is removed, you can begin working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar or chisel, to pry the tiny partsing beads out of their grooves. They are typically wedged into or nailed, but they can be snipped out and it's worth your time. If the sash remains in place, pry the mortise and tenon joints free using a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely now, but it may require some lubrication to feel less stiff.

Measure the length of the sash chain or sash cord needed to reach the sash slot at the bottom from the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain and fix it as described in Step 6 above. You can do this with nail, hammer or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have an upgrade kit to replace the old counterbalance system, it's best to keep the original balancing weights in place. They're not costly and are easy to install if you purchase them from architectural salvage stores. Based on the size and shape of your window you might need to install one or two sashweights to keep it open.