Window Sash Repairs

Sashes for windows must be inspected regularly for signs of mold, mildew, and damage. You can save future repair costs by catching these issues early, before they become too much.

The sash is the internal frame that is vertically moved either up or down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to perform several simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes are a great way to add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also sturdy and last for a long time if they are properly maintained. However, they can be damaged or degraded over time, due to exposure and normal wear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step to sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping, which is found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. Begin by identifying the brand of window and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width, so you can find replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, you can remove the sash from its holder and place it on an even surface that allows you to reach all four sides. If your sash has a double-hung, you'll have to take off the weights and their ropes which should have slipped into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. Once you've removed the sash, use a utility knife to cut away the old weather stripping at the corners, then take it off by hand or with a putty knife.

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

After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using a putty knife, and allow it to dry for at least a day. Once it's fully cured, 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 holds window sashes is 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. It's good to know that replacing or repair of this hardware is typically straightforward and cost-effective. If a sash isn't easy to operate, try spraying some grease into the jamb channel and then open it to see if it fixes the problem. If not, the issue is most likely due to the sash balance and you'll have to take off the sash to gain access to this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut without effort, but this is difficult when the weights wear out or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This could be caused by many factors, including a lack of maintenance and an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms 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 address this problem, first ensure that the sash is firmly seated in the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash was screwed onto the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close due to sagging hinges and a general inefficiency. Sometimes it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can help these windows function smoothly again and save homeowners money on energy bills.

In order to make these sash repairs it is essential to have all the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will make it easier to put the channel in the proper location after you've completed. Take the sash off, and remove all the hardware, including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that help to hold the sash. Soften any hardened putty with a heat gun set to medium and equipped with an nozzle shield. Take off the old sash and put it in a bag that is labeled.

Sash Weights

Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a broken cord or just to keep your windows functioning, replacing worn out weights on sash can improve sash operation and reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed in a hidden cavity and connected to the movable window repair near me sash using rope. These weights provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be shut and opened without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.

It's difficult to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits properly. You will also need a new piece of string, a length of the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join old wood windows. Pin punch and hammer can be used to take out the wood pegs that hold the components together. The majority of these pegs are large on one side, but smaller on the other. It is crucial to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line with the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised section loose using a mallet.

Once the sash is freed then you can take out the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. Usually it is done by drilling an opening in the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered with the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the inner workings.

After you have the sash stopped and sash window Repair the access panel removed, you will be able to remove the old sash weight and replace it with new. First, weigh the sash to ensure that the weights you have may not be the right size. After the new weight is installed, run a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, leaving a few inches of string sticking out from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double-hung windows the chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This keeps the sashes in the jamb balanced. As time passes, these cords can get damaged and make it difficult to raise windows. 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 in replacing cords for sash is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are typically installed by screws or nails and must be removed or repositioned. You might be able to employ a hammer and chisel for removing them, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets before starting any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you can begin working on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves with a chisel or flat bar. These are often wedged in or nailed, but they can be snipped out which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash window Repair remains in place, remove the mortise and tenon joints with the help of a hammer and pin or screwdriver, then remove the wood pegs on each component. The sash should be able move freely, however it may need some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.

With the sash in an open position, measure enough sash cord/chain to reach from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot on the bottom. Cut the chain or cord and fix it as described in Step 6 above. You can employ a hammer and nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It's best to leave the original weights in place unless you've purchased a kit that will replace the old counterbalance. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they will be easy to install once you have the sash opened. Based on the size of your window two or three sash weights may be needed to keep the sash in an open position.