Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. You can save future repair costs by catching these issues early, before they become out of control.

The sash is an inside frame that can move vertically up and down in windows that open. This article will teach you how to perform several simple sash repair.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes are a great way to add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also durable and will last for many years when they are maintained properly. However, they may become damaged or degraded in time due to exposure to the elements and normal wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance for longer than replacement windows.

The first step in repair sash windows is to address weather stripping. It's found on both the sash as well as the frame. It can cause drafts if it's damaged or is loose. To fix it, begin by finding your Window repair brand window repair and the date on which the glass was manufactured (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its width and height to find new weather stripping that matches.

Then, you can remove the sash from its holder, and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to access all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll need to remove the weights and their ropes which should have slipped into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. After you've removed the sash using a utility knife, you can use it to remove the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners, then take it off by hand or with a putty knife.

Once the sash has been cleaned, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that split the sashes. Pam likes to replace these 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 stopper for the parting and cutting it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least one day. After it has fully dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This coating will protect the putty and give your sash a new look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds the windows sashes can become worn out over time and use. This could lead to the window or door that is difficult to open or close. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is generally quite simple and inexpensive. If you're having trouble opening a sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash up and open to see if this resolves the issue. If not, the issue is likely with the balance of the sash and you'll need to take out the sash to access this hardware.

Window sashes should open and close without much effort. However, this may be a challenge if the weights have been worn out or the sash-to-rail meeting rail is not properly covered with. This problem can be due to a variety of factors such as a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinges on windows begin to slide, this can cause the sash drag, and then eventually to hit the frame at 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 remove it. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll need to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close, because of sagging hinges and a general inefficiency. In many instances, a few minor repairs can transform these windows into smooth operators again and save the homeowner money on energy bills.

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

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the operation of your window repair near me sash, and also reduce energy costs. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and attached to the movable the sash with a rope. These weights provide counterbalance which allows the window to be shut and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. The sash weights are usually ignored or discarded by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they break; therefore you might need to find replacements.

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

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. Pin punch and hammer can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of these pegs are large on one side, and smaller on the other. It is crucial to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Sashes that were made later in the century made use of glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting through the glue line with an instrument, and then tapping the mortised part loose with a mallet.

After the sash is released, you can remove the sash stops and access the pockets for weights. This is typically done by drilling tiny holes in the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the inside workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to remove the weight from the sash and replace it with new. Weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you have may not be the right size. Once the new weight is in place then tie a string to it and then thread it through the sash pulley. Then, you can attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches of space at the end of the string to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double-hung windows, a chain or cord is connected to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes within the jamb in a balanced manner. Over time, these chains can get damaged and render it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable will restore the ability to move 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. They are usually screwed or nailed into and require removal. You may be able to use a hammer or chisel to prise them off, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets prior to starting any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can begin working on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves with the chisel or flat bar. It is important to be patient, as these are often stuck or nailed to the floor. If the sash remains in place, pry the mortise-and tenon joints with a screwdriver or hammer and then take out each wood peg. You should be able to move the sash around without difficulty, though it may require oiling if it seems 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/chain and then secure it as in the previous step. You can use a hammer, nails or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.

Unless you've bought an item that replaces the counterbalance system that was in place before, it is recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. They're not expensive and simple to install if purchased them from architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size of your window two or three sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.