Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. You can reduce future repair costs by catching these issues early, before they become out of control.

The sash is an interior frame that can move up and down vertically in windows that are open. This article will show you how to carry out a few simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide an elegant look to your home. If properly maintained, they will last for a long time. However, they can become damaged or degraded in time due to exposure to the elements and normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can bring your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for longer than replacement windows.

The first step to sash window repair near me repairs (xilubbs.Xclub.tw) is addressing weather stripping, which is found on both the sash as well as the frame. It could cause drafts if damaged or is loose. Start by identifying the window's brand and the 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 new weather stripping that matches.

Then, take the sash from its holder, and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to reach all four sides. If your sash has a double-hung, you'll have to take off the weights and the ropes that go with them which should have slipped into the pocket of the jamb liner. After removing the sash using the utility knife, Window Repairs take off the old weather stripping by hand or with a putty knife.

After the sash has been cleared, you can replace the parting stops. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. But, you can also use for a scrap piece of lumber.

After removing the parting stop and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least one day. Once it's fully cured then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds the windows sashes can become worn out over time and use. This can result in windows or doors that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is generally quite simple and inexpensive. If a sash isn't easy to operate you can try spraying some oil into the jamb channel, and then slide it open to see if this fixes the problem. If not, the issue is most likely due to the sash balance and you'll need to take out the sash in order to access the hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should be able to open and close with minimal effort but this can be a difficult task when the weights are worn or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This can be due to various reasons that include a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinges on the window begin to move, this can cause the sash drag and eventually hit against the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To correct the issue make sure the sash is centered in the frame's opening and remove it. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Because of sagging hinges and a general lack in energy efficiency, old windows, especially those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close. Many times, a few simple fixes can make these windows operate smoothly once more and help homeowners save money on energy costs.

It is essential to have the tools needed before you start. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will assist you in getting the channel back in position correctly after you've completed. Remove the sash and take out all the hardware, including the beads for parting cords, chains, and cords that hold the sash in place. Soften any putty that has been hardened with an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with a shield to block the nozzle. Take off the old sash and keep it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash and decrease the energy cost. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable sash by rope. They provide counterbalance that allows the window to be shut and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. If they fail, sashweights are often left unnoticed 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 fits correctly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

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

After the sash is released, you can remove stops on the sash and get access to the pockets for weights. Usually it is done by drilling an opening in the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inside workings.

Once the sash is stopped and the access panel is removed, you can take off the weight you used and replace it. Weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you have may not be of the right size. Once the new weight is installed, thread the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then 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

The majority of double-hung windows with a history have a cord or chain attached to the weights which supports and keeps the sashes balanced within the jamb. Over time these cords can break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord will restore the ability to move the sash up and down and hold it in place when it is opened.

The first step to replace cords for sash is to locate and remove the access panels in the jambs. These are usually nailed or screwed in and will need to be removed or repositioned. It may be possible to remove them with an axe or hammer, but it is always better to lay out dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can start working on the sash. Make the small parting beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with flat bar or chisel. They are usually wedged in or nailed but can be prised free and it's worth your time. If the sash is in place, break the mortise and the tenon joints by using pin punch and hammer or screwdriver, then unhook the wood pegs attached to each component. The sash should be able move around freely now, however it might require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.

Take a measurement of the length of the sash chain or sash cord needed to reach the sash slot on the bottom from the pulley at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord/chain and Window Repairs then attach it in Step 6 above. You can do this with a hammer, nails or screws. However nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.

It is best to keep the original weights in place unless you have purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. They are not expensive and easy to install if you buy them at architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size and shape of your window you may need to use one or two sashweights to keep it open.