Window Sash Repairs

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

The sash is an interior frame that can move vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will show you how to perform simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide the classic look to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for years. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time, due to exposure and normal wear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can restore your windows to their original condition and maintain their appearance for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step to sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping. It's found on both the sash as well as the frame. If it's loose or worn out, it could cause drafts and other issues. Start by identifying the window brand and the manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corner, or the aluminum spacers between panes). Take the sash off and mark its width and height so that you can get replacement weather stripping that matches.

Then, take it off and set it on a surface so that you can reach all four sides. If the sash is double glazed window repairs-hung, you'll need to remove the weights and their accompanying ropes which should have slipped into the pocket of the jamb liner. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or with the putty blade.

Once the sash has been cleaned, you can replace the parting stops. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam prefers the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. But, you can also use a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length and then apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty knife, and let it dry at least one day. After it has fully dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty, and give your sash an updated look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes can wear out over time and use. This could lead to a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. It's good to know that replacing or repairing this hardware is often easy and affordable. If you're having difficulty opening a sash spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, slide the sash out to see if this resolves the issue. If the issue persists, it is most likely to be due to the sash's balance. You will need remove the window sash to reach this hardware.

The ideal situation is for window repair sashes to move open and shut with very little effort, but this is difficult when the weights wear out or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly glazed. This problem can be due to many factors that include a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms on windows begin to slide, this can cause the sash drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To address this problem, first ensure that the sash fits squarely in the frame's opening and then take it out of the window. If the sash has been fixed to the hinge arm, unbolt the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack in energy efficiency, windows that are old particularly those in older houses, could 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 save homeowners money on energy costs.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will assist you in getting the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware, including the parting beads, cords, and chains that keep the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty using an electric heat gun set to medium and equipped with an shield to block the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and put it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to ensure that the windows are functional by replacing worn out weights on sash can improve sash operation and help reduce energy consumption. Sash weights are made of heavy lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed in a concealed cavity and connected by ropes to the moveable window sash. These weights act as counterbalances, which allows you to open and shut the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are usually ignored or discarded by homeowners, and are turned into scrap when they fail; therefore you might need to locate 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 require a new piece of string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. Hammers and pins can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of these pegs are large on one side and smaller on the other. It is important to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife or mallets.

After the sash is removed, you can take off the stops on the sash and get access to the pockets for weights. This is typically done by drilling an opening in the bottom of each jamb. This hole is then covered by a wooden access panel which can be removed to let you see the inner workings of the frame.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to remove the weight of the old sash and replace it with the new. Make sure you weigh the sash before you do this, double glazed window Repairs as the old weights could be different sizes than what is needed. After the new weight is in place you can tie a string around it and thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, you can attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the end of the string to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

The majority of double-hung windows with a history have a cord or chain attached to the weights which helps keep the sashes level in the jamb. Over time, these chains can get damaged and render it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and hold it in position when it is opened.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are usually installed by screws or nails and must be removed or repositioned. It is possible to take them out using the hammer or chisel but it is always better to lay out dust sheets before beginning any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with flat bar or chisel. It is essential to be patient, as these are often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise-and tenon joints using a hammer or screwdriver, then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able to move around freely now, however it may need some lubrication to feel less stiff.

Measure the length of the sash chain or sash cord needed to reach the sash slot on the bottom from the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain and fix it using the step 6 above. You can use either nail, hammer or screws. However nails are less likely to cause damage.

It is recommended to keep the original weights in place unless you have purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. They're not costly and easy to install if you buy them from architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size of your window one or two sashweights could be needed to keep it open.