Window Sash Repairs

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

The sash is the internal framing that moves vertically either up or down in windows that open. This article will show you how to carry out a few simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can give a classic look to your home. They are also sturdy and will last for many years when they are maintained properly. They may, however, become damaged or degraded with time, due to exposure and normal wear. However, sash door repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step in sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping. It's found on both the sash as well as the frame. If it's worn or loose, out, it can cause drafts, as well as other issues. Begin by identifying the brand of window and the manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass or the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash and mark its width and height so you can get new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, take it off and set it on a surface so that you can reach all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, you'll have to take off the weights and their accompanying ropes that should have fallen into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to cut away the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners, and then remove it by hand or with a putty knife.

Once the sash has been cleared, you can replace 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 substitute for a scrap piece of lumber.

After removing the stoppers for parting and trimming them to the desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty tool and allow it to dry for at least a day. When it's completely dried and dried, apply a second coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash an updated look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports windows sashes can become worn out over time and with use. This can result in windows or doors that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically very simple and cost-effective. If you're having trouble opening a sash, spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash up and window repairs open to see if that fixes the problem. If not, the problem is likely to be with the sash balance, and you'll need to take out the sash to gain access to this hardware.

Window sashes need to be able to open and close with minimal effort. However, this may be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash connecting rail isn't coated. This issue can be caused by a number of reasons, such as lack of maintenance or by an incorrect weight rating for a particular window sash.

If the hinges on windows begin to slide, this can cause the sash drag and eventually hit against the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix this problem, first ensure that the sash fits squarely in the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash was fixed to the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general lack in energy efficiency, older windows especially in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. In many instances, a few easy repairs can turn these windows into smooth operators again and save the homeowner money on energy costs.

In order to make these repairs to sash it is important to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will help you to position the channel in the correct location after you've completed. Remove the sash and take off the hardware including the beads that separate (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that hold it in place. The nozzle shield of the heat gun and medium setting will 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 are able to be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and decrease energy costs. Sash weights consist of iron or lead cylinders that are enclosed inside a concealed cavity, and attached by ropes to the movable window sash. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window to be opened and closed without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights are usually left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to get back and you'll need to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sashcord and some sashpulleys to tie the new weights to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join older wood windows. The wood pegs holding the components together can be removed using pin punches and hammers. Most of these pegs have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, which is why it is important to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes utilized glue instead of pins. They can be separated with a knife and mallet.

After the sash has been removed and removed, you can take off the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. This is usually done via tiny holes at the bottom of each jamb. This hole is then covered by a wooden access panel that can be cut off to allow you to observe the inner workings of the frame.

Once the sash is stopped and the access panel is removed, you can remove the weight you used and replace it. First, weigh the sash because the weights you have may not be the right size. Once the new weight is in place, tie a string to it and then thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, nail the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double glazing repairs near me-hung windows, a cord or chain is affixed to the weights. This helps keep the sashes in the jamb level. Over time these cords can break, making it impossible to raise the window. A new sash cord will give you the ability to move the sash up and down and hold it in position when it is opened.

The first step in replacing sash cords is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. These are usually installed by screws or nails and will require to be removed or relocated. It is possible to remove them with a hammer or chisel, but it is always best 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 parting beads from their grooves. They are typically wedged into or nailed in, but they can be removed which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash remains in place, remove the mortise and tenon joints using a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, then unhook the wood pegs on the components. The sash should move freely, however it might require some lubrication to feel less stiff.

With the sash open, measure enough sash cord/chain to extend from the pulley in the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and secure it in the previous step. You can employ a hammer and screws or nails, however nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have an upgrade kit to replace the counterbalance system that was in place before, it's best to keep the original weights for balancing in place. They are not expensive and are easy to install if you buy them at architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size and shape of your window you may require one or two sashweights to keep it open.