Window Sash Repairs

Sashes for windows must be regularly checked for mold, mildew, and damage. If you catch these issues early you can save money on future repairs.

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

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add an elegant look to your home. When properly maintained, can last for years. However, they can be damaged or degrade in time due to exposure to the elements and wear and wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can restore your windows to their original condition and maintain their appearance for much longer than newer replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the primary thing to address when repairing windows that have sash. It's located on both the frame and sash. If it's damaged or worn out, it could cause drafts, as well as other issues. To fix it, begin by determining your window's brand and the date on which the glass was manufactured (etched in the corner of the glass window repair or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Take the sash off, and mark its width and height so that you can get new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll need to take off the weights and their ropes that should have fallen into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. Once you've taken the sash off, use a utility knife to cut off the weather stripping from the corners, Double glazed Window repairs near me then take it off by hand or with a putty knife.

After the sash has been cleared and clean, you can put in the parting stops. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam likes 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 trimming them to the desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife and let it dry for at least a few days. Once the putty has fully cure and dried, you can apply an acrylic latex topcoat. This will protect the putty and give your sash a new look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear due to time and usage, and the result can be a door or window that won't open or close easily. It's a good idea to know that replacing and repair of this hardware is typically simple and inexpensive. If a sash is difficult to operate you can try spraying some grease into the jamb channel then slide it open to see if this solves the issue. If not, the problem is likely to be with the sash balance, and double glazed window repairs near me you'll need to take out the sash to access the hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should move open and shut without effort, but this is an issue when the weights are worn or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue can be due to many factors such as the lack of maintenance or an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms of a window are beginning to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner that's in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To resolve this problem, first ensure that the sash fits squarely in the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash was fixed to the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Windows that are old, especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and close, due to sagging hinges and general inefficiency. In many cases it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can allow these windows to operate smoothly again and help homeowners save money on their energy bills.

To make these sash repairs, it's important to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Begin by marking the position of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will help you get the channel back in position correctly after you've completed. Take the sash off and then remove all hardware, including the parting beads, cords, and chains that help to hold the sash. A hot gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any hardened putty. Remove the old sash, and put it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be changed to improve the operation of your window sash, and also reduce the cost of energy. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed in a hidden cavity and connected to the movable sash by a rope. They provide counterbalance which allows the window to be shut and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. The sash weights are often ignored or discarded by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they fail; therefore, you may need to find replacements.

A weight from a sash that fell out of the cavity is difficult to recover and you'll need to find a new one that is suitable for the. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length sash cord and some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Older wood windows are joined by mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs holding the components together can be removed using a pin punch and hammer. Most of them have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, which is why it is important to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting through the glue line with a knife, then tapping the mortised area loose with a mallet.

After the sash has been removed then you can take out the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. Usually, this is done through an opening at the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered with a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inner workings.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel has been removed, you can remove the weight that was previously installed and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash first, as the weights you've got may not be the correct size. Once the new weight is installed then tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double glazed window repairs near me-hung windows of the past come with a chain or cord connected to the weights that helps keep the sashes in balance in the jamb. 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 upwards and downwards and will keep it in its position when it is opened.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are usually fixed or screwed in and will need to be removed or repositioned. You might be able to use a hammer and chisel to prise them off but it's best to lay down dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Make the small parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves with the chisel or flat bar. It's important to take your time because they are usually placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash remains in place, remove the mortise and tenon joints with pin punch and hammer or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs on each piece. The sash should be able to move freely now, but it may require some lubrication to feel less stiff.

Measure the length of the sash chain or sash cord needed to reach the sash slot at the bottom, and the pulley at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain and then attach it as described in the step 6 above. You can employ a hammer, screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It's best to leave the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you have purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's cheap to purchase them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be easy to install once you have the sash unlocked. Depending on the size of your window one or two sashweights may be needed to keep the sash in an open position.