Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for signs of damage, mildew and mold. You can avoid future repair costs by catching the issues early, before they become out of control.

The sash is an inside frame that moves up and down vertically in windows that open. This article will show you how to do a variety of simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add an elegant look to your home. If properly maintained, they will last for a long time. However, they can become damaged or degrade over time due to exposure to the elements and normal 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 most important aspect to consider when you are repairing windows that have sash. It's on both the frame and the sash. If it's worn or loose, out, it can cause drafts, as well as other issues. To fix it, start by determining the brand of your window and the date on which the glass was manufactured (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, take it off and place it on a surface so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash was double-hung, you must remove the weights using their ropes that should be buried inside the jamb lining. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, remove the old weather stripping by hand or with a putty blade.

After the sash has been cleared and clean, UPVC repairs you can put in the parting stops. They are long pieces of wood that divide the two sashes. Pam prefers to use standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trimming from the lumberyard. But, you can also use a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the stopper and trimming it to length and then apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, then let it dry for a minimum of a day. After it has fully dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty, and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports the windows sashes can become worn out over time and with use. This could lead to the window or door that is difficult to open or close. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is generally quite simple and inexpensive. If a sash becomes difficult to operate you can try spraying some grease into the jamb channel then slide it open to see if that resolves the issue. If the problem persists it's likely the sash balance. You'll need remove the window sash in order to access the hardware.

Window sashes should open and close without much effort. However, this can be a challenge if the weights have been worn out or the sash-to rail connecting rail isn't properly covered with. This problem can be caused by a variety of things, such as the lack of maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the particular window sash.

If the hinge arms on the window replacement begin to move, this can cause the sash drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix the problem, make sure that the sash is aligned in the frame's opening and take it off. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack in energy efficiency, old windows particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open or close. Sometimes, a few simple fixes can make these windows 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 tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will allow you to put the channel in the right position after you've finished. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware, including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that hold the sash in place. Soften any putty that has been hardened with an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with a shield to block the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and store it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and reduce energy costs. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders enclosed in a hidden cavity and attached to the movable sash by rope. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window replacement to be shut and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often neglected or ignored by homeowners and turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently you might need to find replacements.

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 need a new piece of string, a length of sash cord and some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. Hammers and pins can be used to cut off the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of these pegs have a large diameter on one side and a smaller one on the other side, so it is important to remove the small-diameter sides first. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be separated by using a knife or a mallet.

After the sash is released, you can remove sash stops and access the pockets for weights. This is typically done by drilling an opening at the bottom of every jamb. The hole is then covered with a wooden access panel which can be removed so that you can observe the inner workings of the frame.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel is removed, you are able to remove the weight that was previously installed and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash before you do this, since the weights that were previously used may be different sizes than the one you need. Once the new weight is installed, you can thread the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, but only leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of double-hung windows, a cord or chain is connected to the weights. This helps keep the sashes in the jamb level. Over time, these cords could break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cable can restore the ability to raise and lower the sash, and keep it in place when it is opened.

The first step in replacing sash cords is to find and remove the access panels in the jambs. These are usually screwed or nailed into and must be removed. It is possible to remove them with a hammer or chisel, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.

Once the access panel is removed, you can start working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel, to pry the small parting beads out of their grooves. It's important to be patient because they are usually wedged or nailed in place. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and tenon joints using a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. It should now be possible to move the sash back and forth freely, though it will probably need some lubrication if it feels stiff.

Measure the length of sash cord/chain required to reach the sash slot at the bottom of the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the chain or cord and secure it as in the previous step. You can use nail, hammer or screws. However 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. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash open. Based on the size and UPVC repairs shape of your window, you may need to use one or two sashweights in order to keep it open.