Window Sash Repairs

Regularly inspect the window sashes for damage, mildew, and mold. If you catch these issues early you can save money on repairs in the future.

The sash is an internal frame that can move vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will show you how to do a variety of simple sash repair.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes give an elegant look to your home. When properly maintained, can last for a long time. However, they can be damaged or degraded over time, due to exposure and normal wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original condition and keep them looking great longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the primary aspect to consider when you are repairing windows with sash. It's on both the frame and sash. If it's loose or worn out, it can cause drafts and other issues. Start by identifying the window brand and the manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass or the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash and mark its width and height so you can purchase new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, you can remove the sash from its holder, and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to reach all four sides. If your sash is double glazing repairs-hung, you'll need to remove the weights as well as the ropes that go with them which should have slipped into the pocket of the jamb liner. After removing the sash using the utility knife, remove the weather stripping that was left by hand or using a putty knife.

After the sash has been cleared, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. They are long pieces of wood that divide the two sashes. Pam prefers to use standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trimmings from the lumberyard. However, you could substitute for a scrap piece of lumber.

After removing the parting stop and trimming it to length after which, apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife and let it dry for at least a day. After the putty has completely cured, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic latex. This will protect the putty, and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes can wear out with time and use. This could lead to a door or a Window repair 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're having trouble opening a sash spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash out to see if this resolves the problem. If the problem persists it's most likely the sash balance. You will need to remove the window sash in order to reach this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut without effort, but this is an issue if the weights become worn or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly glazed. This issue can be caused by a variety of things, such as lack of maintenance or by the wrong weight rating for a particular sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to sag, Window Repair this can cause the sash to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner directly opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To fix 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 is secured to the hinge arm, you'll have to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older houses, can be difficult to open and close because of sagging hinges and a general lack of energy efficiency. Many times just a few easy fixes can make these windows operate smoothly again and save homeowners money on energy costs.

It is essential to have the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will help you get the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the beads that separate (Photo 2) and the cords or chains that secure it. Soften any putty that has been hardened with the help of a heat gun set at medium and equipped with a shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash and keep it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash and decrease the cost of energy. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a hidden cavity and connected to the movable sash by rope. They provide counterbalance that allows the window to be opened and closed without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.

A weight from a sash that fell out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve It is therefore important to find a replacement that fits correctly. You will also require an additional piece of string, a length of sash cord and some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Older wood windows are joined using mortise and tenon joints. Pin punch and hammer can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the components together. The majority of them are large on one side and smaller on the other. It is essential to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Later sashes utilized glue instead of pins. They can be cut with a knife and mallets.

After the sash is released, you can remove the sash stops and access the pockets for weights. Usually this is accomplished by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an access panel of wood that can be ripped off to let you observe the inner workings of the frame.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to remove the weight from the sash and replace it with new. Weigh the sash first, as the weights you have may not be of the right size. After the new weight is in place you can tie a string around it and thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches protruding at the head of the string for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double glazing near me-hung windows the chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes of the jamb in a balanced manner. As time passes, these cords can get damaged and make it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable will restore the ability to move and lower the sash and keep it in place when opened.

The first step in replacing sash cords is to locate and remove the access panels within the jambs. They are usually attached by nails or screws and require removal. You may be able to use a hammer or chisel to prise them off but it's best to lay down dust sheets before starting any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pry the tiny parting beads from their grooves. It is essential to be patient as they're often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise and tenon joints with a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, then unhook the wood pegs on the components. You should be able to move the sash back and forth freely, although it might require oil if it feels stiff.

With the sash in an open position Take a measurement of the sash chain to reach from the pulley in the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and then secure it as in the previous step. You can use nail, hammer or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.

It is recommended to keep the original weights in place unless you've purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance. It's not expensive to buy these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash open. Depending on the dimensions and shape of your window, you may need to use one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.