Window Sash Repairs

Window sashes must be regularly checked for mold, mildew and damage. By catching these problems early you can save money on future repairs.

The sash is an internal frame that can move up and down vertically in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to do a variety of simple sash repair.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide a classic aesthetic to your home and, when properly maintained, they can last for a long time. However, they can be damaged or degraded over time due to exposure to the elements and wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for much longer than newer replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the first issue to take care of when fixing windows that have sash. It's located on both the frame and window sash repairs sash. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. Start by identifying the window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the corner of the glass or the aluminum spacers between panes). Take the sash off and mark its width and height so you can get new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, remove the sash from its holder, and place it on an even surface that allows you to see all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to remove the weights and the ropes that go with them which should have slipped into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, remove the weather stripping that was left by hand or with a putty blade.

Once the sash has been cleared, you can install parting stops. These are long pieces that split the sashes. Pam prefers to replace them with standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you could also use a piece of scrap wood.

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

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear due to time and usage and the result could be a door or window that can't be opened or closed easily. It's good to know that replacing or fixing this hardware is usually straightforward and cost-effective. If you are having trouble opening a sash, spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash up and open to see if that fixes the problem. If the issue continues it's most likely to be due to the sash's balance. It is necessary remove the window sash to reach this hardware.

The ideal situation is for window sashes to be able to open and close with very little effort, but this is a difficult task when the weights wear out or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly coated. This problem could be caused by a variety of factors that include a lack of maintenance and an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinges on a window begin to sag this could cause the sash to drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To correct the issue, make sure that the sash is in the proper position within the frame opening and then take it off. If the sash has been screwed onto the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, especially those in older homes, may be difficult to open and close, because of sagging hinges and an overall lack of energy efficiency. In many cases just a few easy fixes can allow these windows to operate smoothly and save homeowners money on energy bills.

To make these repairs to the sash, it's important to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Begin by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will help you to place the channel in the right position after you've finished. Take the sash off, and remove all the hardware including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that hold the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty using the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with a shield to block the nozzle. Remove the old sash and keep it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash and decrease the cost of energy. Sash weights are made of heavy iron or lead cylinders that are enclosed inside a concealed cavity, and attached by ropes to the moveable window sash. They provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to recover It is therefore important to locate a new one that fits correctly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length of the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights the sash cord.

Older windows made of wood are joined with mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that hold the parts together can be removed by a pin punch and Double Glazed windows repairs hammer. The majority of them have large diameters on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, so it is essential to remove the small-diameter sides first. Sashes made later in the century made use of glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line using an instrument, and then tapping the mortised area loose with mallets.

Once the sash is freed and removed, you can take off the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. This is usually done via a small hole in the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an access panel of wood which can be removed to allow you to see the inner workings of the frame.

Once the sash is stopped and the access panel has been removed, you can take off the weight you used and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash before you begin, as the old weights could be different sizes than the one you need. Once the new weight is installed you can tie a string around it and thread it through the sash pulley. Then, you can nail the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustment.

Sash Cords

Most double-hung windows of the past have a cord or chain connected to the weights that keeps the sashes level within the jamb. Over time these cords can break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cable can restore the ability to raise and lower the sash and keep it in position when opened.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually fixed or screwed in and Double Glazing Window Repairs must be removed or moved. It may be possible to remove them using a hammer or chisel, however, it is best to lay out dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

After removing the access panel, you are able to begin to work on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using the chisel or flat bar. They are usually wedged in or nailed in, but they can be prised free and it's worth your time. If the sash is in place, remove the mortise and Window Sash Repairs tenon joints with pin punch and hammer or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs on the components. The sash should be able to move freely now, but it may 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 at the bottom from the pulley located at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord/chain and then attach it in Step 6 above. You can employ a hammer, screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It is best to keep the original weights in place unless you have purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance. It's cheap to purchase them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash open. Based on the size of your window, one or two sashweights may be needed to keep it in an open position.