Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for any damage, mildew and mold. If you catch these issues early you will save money on repairs in the future.

The sash is an inside frame that can move vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will demonstrate how to carry out a few simple sash repair.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add the classic look to your home. If properly maintained, they will last for a long time. However, they may become damaged or degraded as time passes due to exposure to elements and normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the primary 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 could cause drafts and other problems. Begin by identifying the window brand and the manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corners or the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, take the sash off and Window Repair mark its width and height to find replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, take the sash from its holder and place it on an even surface that allows you to reach all four sides. If your sash was double-hung, take out the ropes and weights that should have fallen into the pocket within the jamb lining. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, you can remove the old weather stripping by hand or with a putty blade.

After the sash has been cleared, you can install the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that separate the two sashes. Pam likes to replace these with standard 1/2-inch-by - 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, but you can also use scrap wood.

After removing the stopper for the parting and cutting it to length and then apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty tool, and let it dry at least one day. After it has fully dried then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes may wear out over time and with use. This could result in a door or a window 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 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 to be with the sash balance, and you'll need to take out the sash in order to access the hardware.

Window sashes should open and close with little effort. However, this could be difficult if weights are worn out or the sash-to rail meeting rail is not properly glazed. This problem could be caused by a variety of factors that include a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms on windows begin to slide, this could cause the sash to drag and then hit the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix the problem, make sure that the sash is centered in the frame opening, and then take it off. If the sash was fixed to the hinge arm, unbolt the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack in energy efficiency, older windows particularly those in older houses, could be difficult to open or close. Many times just a few easy fixes can help these windows function smoothly and help homeowners save money on energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will help you to put the channel in the correct place when you are finished. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware, including the beads for parting cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. Soften any putty that has been hardened with a heat gun set to medium and equipped with an nozzle shield. Take off the old sash and keep it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

No matter if your window sash repair needs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to ensure that the windows are functional, replacing worn out weights for sash will improve its operation and reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and attached to the movable Window Repair sash using a rope. They provide counterbalance that allows the window to be opened and closed without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights tend to be left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.

It is difficult to recover an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits correctly. You will also require a fresh piece of string, a length sashcord and a few sashpulleys to secure 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 parts together can be removed using the use of a pin punch and hammer. Most of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller size on the other side, so it is important to remove the small-diameter sides first. 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 a knife, then tapping the mortised area loose with mallets.

Once the sash is freed then you can take out the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. This is typically done by drilling a small hole at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel has been removed, you can remove the old weight and replace it. Weigh the sash first because the weights you have might not be the right size. Once the new weight has been installed, thread the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then attach the string to the boxed frame, leaving a few inches of string hanging from the head for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double glazed window repairs-hung window, a cord or chain is connected to the weights. This keeps the sashes in the jamb balanced. As time passes, these cords may break, making it impossible to raise the window. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash up and down and hold it in position when it is opened.

The first step to replace cords for sash is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are typically nailed or screwed in and will need to be removed or relocated. It is possible to remove them using a hammer or chisel, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can start working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pull the tiny parting beads from their grooves. It's important to be patient because they are usually placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise and tenon joints free with a hammer or screwdriver and then take out each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely, however it may need some lubrication to feel less stiff.

Take a measurement of the length of sash cord/chain needed to reach the sash slot at the bottom from the pulley located at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain and window Repair then attach it as described in Step 6 above. You can either use 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 old counterbalance system it is recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not expensive to buy them from a salvage store and they'll be simple to install once you've got the sash open. Based on the size of your window repairs near me, two or three sash weights could be needed to keep it open.