Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. By catching these problems early you can save money on future repairs.

The sash is an internal frame that moves up and down vertically in windows that are open. This article will demonstrate how to carry out a few simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide an elegant look to your home. When properly maintained, they will last for years. They can, however, be damaged or degraded over time, due to exposure and normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the most important thing to address when repairing sash windows. It's located on both the frame and sash. It can cause drafts if damaged or is loose. To fix it, begin by determining your window's brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Remove the sash and mark its size and width so that you can get new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, remove the sash and set it on a surface so you can access all four sides. If your sash was double-hung, take out the weights using their ropes that should be buried in the jamb lining. After removing the sash using the utility knife, remove the old weather stripping by hand or with the putty blade.

Once the sash is clear it is time to replace the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that separate the two sashes. Pam prefers to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, but you can also use a piece of scrap wood.

After removing the parting stop and cutting it to length and then apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty tool and allow it to dry for at least one day. When it's completely dried then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a fresh appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports windows sashes can become worn out over time and use. This could lead to a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. It's a good idea to know that replacing and fixing this hardware is usually straightforward and cost-effective. If a sash is difficult to operate you can try spraying some grease into the jamb channel, and then slide it open to see if it fixes the problem. If not, the issue is most likely due to the sash balance, and you'll need to remove the sash in order to access the hardware.

Window sashes should open and close without much effort. However, this may be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash-to-rail meeting rail is not properly glazed. This issue can be due to a variety of factors such as an absence of maintenance or an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms on a window glass repair near me begin to sag this can cause the sash drag and then hit the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix this problem, first ensure that the sash is squarely inserted into the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. Sometimes it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can make these windows operate smoothly once more and help homeowners save money on energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will help you to put the channel in the right location after you've completed. Remove the sash and then remove all hardware including the parting beads, cords, and chains that keep the Sash window Repair in place. Soften any putty that has been hardened with an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with an shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash and put it in a bag that is labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to enhance the efficiency of your window sash and decrease the energy cost. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and connected to the movable sash by rope. These weights act as counterbalances, allowing you to open and close the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are usually neglected or ignored by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they break; therefore you might need to find replacements.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to get back It is therefore important to find a replacement that fits correctly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length of the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys that will tie the new sash weights the sash cord.

Older wood windows are joined with mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that keep the parts together can be removed by the use of a pin punch and Sash Window Repair hammer. The majority of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller one on the other side, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be cut with a knife and a mallet.

Once the sash is freed, you can remove 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 by an access panel made of wood which can be removed to let you see the inner workings of the frame.

Once you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to take off the weight of the old sash and replace it with new. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you begin, as the old weights could be different in size from the one you need. Once the new weight is in place then tie a string to it and thread it through the sash pulley. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, but leave a few inches of string hanging from the head for future adjustment.

Sash Cords

In most old double-hung window, a chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes in the jamb in a balanced manner. Over time these cords can break, making it impossible to raise the window. A new sash cord will restore the ability to move the sash up and down and hold it in place when it is opened.

The first step to replace sash cords is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are typically installed by screws or nails and will need to be removed or moved. It may be possible to remove them using the hammer or chisel but it is always best to lay out dust sheets before beginning any work.

After removing the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using flat bar or chisel. It is important to take your time, as these are often stuck or nailed to the floor. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise-and tenon joints with a screwdriver or hammer and then remove each wood peg. The sash should move freely, however it may need some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.

Measure the length of the sash chain or sash cord required to reach the sash slot on the bottom from the pulley at the top of the jamb. Cut the chain or cord and secure it as in the previous step. You can either use a hammer and screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It is recommended to keep the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you've purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance. They're not expensive and simple to install if you buy them from salvage shops for architectural use. Depending on the size of your window repair near me one or two sash weights may be needed to keep it in an open position.