Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for any damage, mildew and mold. You can avoid future repair costs by catching problems in the early stages before they become out of control.

The sash is an inside frame that is able to move upwards and downwards in windows that open. This article will demonstrate how to carry out a few simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also sturdy and last for a long time provided they are properly maintained. However, they may become damaged or degraded in time due to exposure to elements and wear and tear. Sash repair specialists can restore windows to their original state and maintain their beauty much longer than replacement windows.

The first step in sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping, which is found on both the sash as well as the frame. If it's loose or worn out, it can lead to drafts, as well as other issues. Start by identifying the window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the glass's corner or the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width, so you can find new weather stripping that matches.

Then, take it off and set it on a work surface so you can access all four sides. If your sash was double glazing repairs - love it --hung, you must remove the ropes and weights that should fall into the pocket in the jamb lining. After removing the sash using the utility knife, take off the old weather stripping by hand or with the putty blade.

After the sash is cleared, you can install the stoppers that separate the two sashes. They are long pieces of wood that divide the two 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 scrap wood.

After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using a putty tool and let it dry at least a day. Once the putty has fully cured, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic. This will help protect the putty, and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds the window sashes may wear 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 typically very simple and cost-effective. If you are having trouble opening a sash spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash open to see if this resolves the issue. If the problem persists it's most likely to be due to the sash's balance. You will need to remove the window sash to reach this hardware.

The ideal situation is for window sashes to be able to open and close without effort, but this is an issue when the weights wear out or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue could be caused by a variety of things, such as lack of maintenance or by an incorrect weight rating for a particular window sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to sag, this can cause the sash's 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 issue, first make sure the sash is firmly seated in the opening of the frame and then remove it from the window. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to hinges that are sagging, and Double glazing repairs a general lack of energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older homes, may be difficult to open and close. Many times 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 energy bills.

It is essential to have the tools needed before you start. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will help you to place the channel in the proper position after you've finished. Remove the sash and take out all the hardware, including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that help to hold the sash. The nozzle shield of the heat gun and medium setting will soften any hardened glue. Take off the old sash and place it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or to keep the windows functional by replacing worn out weights for sash will improve its operation and help reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders enclosed in a concealed cavity and attached to the movable window sash using rope. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window to be opened and closed without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. The sash weights are often ignored or discarded by homeowners, and are turned into scrap when they break; therefore you may have to find replacements.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to recover and you'll need to locate a new one that fits correctly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sash cord and some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. The wood pegs holding the parts together can be removed using a pin punch and hammer. The majority of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller one on the other, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes made use of glue instead of pins. They can be separated by using a knife and a mallet.

Once the sash has been removed, you can take off the sash stops and gain access to the pockets for weights. Usually, this is done through an opening 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.

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 new. Weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you've got may not be the right size. Once the new weight is in place, tie a string to it and then thread it through the pulley for Double glazing Repairs the sash. Then nail the string to the frame, leaving a few inches of string protruding from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of double-hung windows, a chain or cord is connected to the weights. This helps keep the sashes within the jamb balanced. As time passes, these cords may break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash up and down and hold it in place when opened.

The first step to replace sash cords is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are usually fixed or screwed in and will require to be removed or repositioned. It may be possible to remove them with a hammer or chisel, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.

After removing the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Take the narrow beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with a chisel or flat bar. They are typically wedged into or nailed, but they can be prised free which is why it's worth your time. If the sash remains in place, pry the mortise-and-tenon joints out with a screwdriver or hammer and then take out each wood peg. It should now be possible to move the sash around freely, although it may require oiling if it seems stiff.

With the sash open Take a measurement of the sash chain to reach from the pulley in the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and then attach it in Step 6 above. You can use either nail, hammer or screws. However nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.

If you haven't purchased an item that replaces the counterbalance system that was in place before, it's best to keep the original weights for balancing in place. It's not too expensive to purchase them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be easy to install once you've got the sash open. Based on the size of your window one or two sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.