Window Sash Repairs

Sashes for windows must be checked regularly for mold, mildew and other damage. By catching problems before they become serious, you can save money on repairs in the future.

The sash is an interior frame that can move upwards and downwards in windows that open. This article will show you how to do a variety of simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also durable and last for Sash Window Repair a long time provided they are properly maintained. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time, due to exposure and normal wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can restore your windows to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the first aspect to consider when you are repairing windows that have sash. It's located on both the frame and the sash. If it's worn or loose, out, it can lead to drafts and other problems. To fix it, Sash Window Repair begin by determining the brand of your window and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width to find new weather stripping that matches.

Then, take it off and set it on a table so that you can reach all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, take out the weights with their ropes that should be buried in the jamb lining. After you've removed the sash, use a utility knife to remove the old weather stripping at the corners. Then, remove it by hand or with a putty knife.

Once the sash is clear and clean, you can put in the parting stops. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam prefers to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, but you can also use scrap wood.

After removing the parting stops and cutting them to the desired length then apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth out the compound using your putty knife and let it dry for at least a few days. Once the putty has fully cured and dried, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic. This will protect the putty and give your sash a fresh look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes susceptible to wear and tear from time and usage and the result could be a door or window that isn't able to open or close easily. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically relatively easy and affordable. If a sash isn't easy to operate you can try spraying some oil into the jamb channel, and then open it to see if that fixes the problem. If not, the issue is most likely due to the sash balance, and you'll need to remove the sash to access this hardware.

Window sashes need to open and close without much effort. However, this could be a challenge if the weights have been worn out or the sash connecting rail isn't properly covered with. This problem can be due to various reasons that include a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinges on the window begin to move, this can cause the sash drag and eventually hit against the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix this issue, first make sure the sash fits squarely in the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash is screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Because of sagging hinges and a general lack of energy efficiency, older windows, especially those in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. Many times just a few easy fixes can make these windows operate smoothly once more and save homeowners money on energy bills.

It is crucial to have the tools needed before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame using pencil (Photo 1). This will allow you to place the channel in the right place when you are finished. Take the sash off, and remove all the hardware including the parting beads, cords, and chains that hold the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty using an electric heat gun set to medium and equipped with a shield for the nozzle. Take off the old sash and store it in an labelled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and attached to the movable window sash using a rope. These weights function as counterbalances, allowing you to open and shut the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights tend to be neglected or not used by homeowners.

It is difficult to recover a sash-weight that has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that fits properly. You will also require a new piece string, a length sashcord and a few sashpulleys to secure the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join old wood windows. The wood pegs that keep the parts together can be removed using the use of a pin punch and hammer. The majority of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised section loose using 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 an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

Once you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to take off the weight of the old sash and replace it with the new. First, weigh the sash to ensure that the weights you have may not be the correct size. After the new weight has been installed, thread the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then nail the string to the boxed frame, but leave a few inches of string hanging from the head for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double glazing window repairs-hung upvc window repair, a cord or chain is attached to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes of the jamb level. As time passes, these cords can get damaged and make it difficult to raise the windows. A new sash Window Repair cable will give you the ability to move and lower the sash and keep it in position when it is 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 need to be removed. It may be possible to take them out using an axe or hammer, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets before starting any work.

Once the access panel is removed, you can begin working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar, or chisel to pry the narrow parting beads from their grooves. They are usually wedged in or nailed but can be prised free and it's worth your time. If the sash remains in place, pull the mortise-and tenon joints using a hammer or screwdriver, then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely, however it may need some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.

Take a measurement of the length of sash chain/sash cord required to reach the sash slot at the bottom, and the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain and attach it in Step 6 above. You can either employ a hammer, nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have a kit that replaces the counterbalance system that was in place before, it is recommended to keep the original weights for balancing in place. It's cheap to purchase them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash opened. Depending on the size of your window two or three sash weights could be needed to keep the sash in an open position.