Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. You can avoid future repair costs by catching problems early on before they get out of hand.

The sash is an inside frame that moves vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to make several simple sash repairs.

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 if they are properly maintained. However, they may become damaged or degraded in time due to exposure to the elements and normal wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance much longer than replacement windows repair (more resources).

The first step for 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 worn out or loose. To fix it, begin by determining the brand of your window and glass manufacturer date (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width, so you can find new weather stripping that matches.

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

After the sash has been cleaned, you can replace 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 upvc window repairs trim from the lumberyard, but you can also replace them with a piece of scrap wood.

After removing the parting stop and trimming it to length after which, apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least a day. After it has fully dried, 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 supports windows sashes can become worn out over time and with use. This could result in windows or doors that is difficult to open or close. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is generally relatively easy and affordable. If you are having trouble opening a sash, spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then, slide the sash out to see if it resolves the issue. If not, the problem is most likely due to the sash balance, and you'll need to remove the sash in order to access this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should be able to open and close without effort, but this is a difficult task if the weights become worn or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue could be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the particular window sash.

If the hinge arms of a window begin to slide, this could cause the sash's to drag and eventually land on the frame in the corner opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To correct the issue, make sure that the sash is in the proper position within the frame's opening and take it off. If the sash is screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, windows Repair especially those in older homes, can be difficult to close and open due to sagging hinges and a general inefficiency. Many times it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can make these windows operate smoothly and help homeowners save money on energy costs.

It is essential to have the tools needed before you start. Begin by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will help you get the channel back on the correct position after you've finished. Remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with an nozzle shield. Take off the old sash and put it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

No matter if your window sash repair needs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to keep your windows functioning and functional, replacing worn-out weights for sash will improve its operation and cut down on energy consumption. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and attached to the movable window sash using rope. These weights function as counterbalances, which allows you to open and shut the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. The sash-weights are typically ignored or discarded by homeowners and turned into scrap when they break; therefore you might need to find replacements.

A sash weight 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 require a fresh piece of string, a length sashcord and some sashpulleys to tie the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. The wood pegs that hold the components together can be removed using pin punches and hammers. The majority of them are large on one side and smaller on the other. It is essential to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting through the glue line using the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised area loose using mallets.

Once the sash has been removed, you can take off the stops on the sash and get access to the pockets for weights. This is usually done via a small hole at the bottom of every jamb. This hole is covered by a wooden access panel that can be cut off to allow you to see the inner workings of the frame.

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

Sash Cords

In most old double-hung window, a cord or chain is affixed to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes within the jamb balanced. As time passes, these cords may break, making it impossible to raise the window. A new sash cable can restore the ability to raise and lower the sash and ensure it stays in place when it is opened.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are typically screwed or nailed in and need to be removed. You may be able to use a hammer or chisel to prise them off however, it is always best to lay down 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. These are often wedged in or nailed, but they can be prised free and it's worth your time. If the sash is still in place, remove the mortise and the tenon joints by using pin punch and hammer or screwdriver, then unhook the wood pegs that are on each piece. The sash should be able move around freely now, however it may require some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.

With the sash open 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 in the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and then attach it in the previous step. You can do this with a hammer, nails or screws. However nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.

Unless you've bought an upgrade kit to replace the old counterbalance system it's recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's cheap to purchase them from a salvage store and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash unlocked. Based on the size of your window, one or two sash weights may be needed to keep it open.