Window sash window repair Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. You can save future repair costs by catching these issues in the early stages before they get out of hand.

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

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add a classic aesthetic to your home. When properly maintained, they can last for years. However, they can get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure and normal wear. However, sash repair experts can restore your windows to their original condition and keep them looking great for much longer than newer replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the first aspect to consider when you are repairing sash windows. It's located on both the frame and the sash. If it's worn or loose, out, it can cause drafts, as well as other issues. Start by identifying the window's brand and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corner or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Take the sash off, and mark its width and height so that you can purchase new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, take it off and set it on a table so you can access all four sides. If your sash was double glazing window repairs-hung, remove the weights using their ropes that should have fallen into the pocket in the jamb lining. Once you've taken the sash off, use a utility knife to remove the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners. Then, remove it by hand or using a putty knife.

When the sash is clean and clean, you can put in the parting stops. They are long pieces of wood that are used to separate the two sashes. Pam prefers to replace them with standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, however you can also replace them with a piece of scrap wood.

After removing the stoppers for parting and cutting them to the desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth it out using your putty knife, then let it dry for a minimum of a day. After it has fully dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty, and give your sash an updated appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes may wear out over time and with use. This could lead to the window or door that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically quite simple and inexpensive. If you're having difficulty opening a sash, spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash open to see if it resolves the issue. If the problem persists it's most likely to be due to the sash's balance. It is necessary to take off the window sash in order to access the hardware.

Window sashes need to open and close with little effort. However, this may be difficult if weights are worn out or the sash connecting rail isn't coated. This issue can be due to a variety of factors that include an absence of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms on a window begin to sag this can cause the sash drag and eventually hit against 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 is secured to the hinge arm, you'll need to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack of energy efficiency, old windows especially in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. Sometimes just a few easy fixes can allow these windows to operate smoothly and save homeowners money on energy costs.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will assist you in getting the channel back on the correct position after you've finished. Take the sash off and then remove all hardware, including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that hold the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty with an electric heat gun set to medium and equipped with an shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and place it in a bag that is labeled.

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 that are enclosed in a concealed cavity and connected to the movable window sash using a rope. These weights function as counterbalances and allow you to open and close the window without having to use mechanical or Sash Window Repair electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights tend to be ignored or disabled by homeowners.

It's not easy to retrieve a sash-weight that has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits properly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length sash cord, and a few sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join windows made of older wood. Pin punch and hammer can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of them are large on one side, and smaller on the other. It is crucial to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be cut with a knife and a mallet.

Once the sash is freed and removed, you can take off the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. Usually this is accomplished by drilling an opening in the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the inner workings.

After you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to take off the weight from the sash and replace it with new. Weigh the sash first, as the weights you've got may not be of the right size. After the new weight is installed, tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley for the sash. Then nail the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string protruding from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double-hung window, a cord or chain is attached to the weights. This helps keep the sashes of the jamb balanced. As time passes, these cords may 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 place when opened.

The first step in replacing sash cords is to locate and remove the access panels in the jambs. These are usually fixed or screwed in and must be removed or repositioned. You may be able to use a hammer and chisel to remove them, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

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

With the sash in an open position With the sash in an open position, measure the sash chain or cord to extend from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and then secure it as in Step 6 above. You can do this with a hammer, nails or screws. However nails are less likely to cause damage.

Unless you've bought an item that replaces the old counterbalance system it's recommended to keep the original weights for balancing in place. They're not costly and easy to install if purchased them from salvage shops for architectural use. Based on the size of your window one or two sashweights may be needed to keep the sash in an open position.