Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for signs of damage, mildew and mold. You can reduce the cost of repairs in the future by catching the issues early before they get out of hand.

The sash is the interior framing that moves vertically either up or down in windows that open. This article will teach you how to carry out a few simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide the classic look to your home. If properly maintained, they will last for Window Repair a long time. However, they can be damaged or degraded over time due to exposure or normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for much longer than newer replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the first issue to take care of when fixing sash windows. It is located on both the frame and sash. If it's loose or worn out, it can cause drafts, as well as other issues. Start by identifying the window brand and the manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corners, or the aluminum spacers between panes). Take the sash off, and mark its width and height so you can find a new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Next, remove the sash and place it on a surface to allow access to all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, you must remove the weights with their ropes that should be buried within the jamb lining. After removing the sash using the utility knife, take off the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or with a putty blade.

After the sash has been cleared and clean, you can put in the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that divide the two sashes. Pam likes to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by - 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, however you can also use a piece of scrap wood.

After removing the stoppers for parting and trimming them to the desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using a putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least one day. After it has fully dried then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty, and give your sash a fresh look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports the window sashes can wear out over time and with use. This could lead to the window or door repair that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is usually quite simple and inexpensive. If a sash is difficult to operate, try spraying some grease into the jamb channel then open it to see if that resolves the issue. If not, the problem is likely with the balance of the sash and you'll need to remove the sash to access this hardware.

Ideally, window repair sashes should move open and shut without effort, but this can be a difficult task when the weights are worn or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly coated. This issue could be caused by a variety of reasons, such as the lack of maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the specific sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are beginning to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually strike the frame in the corner that's directly opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To remedy the issue make sure the sash is centered in the frame opening, and then remove it. If the sash has been attached to the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and window repair replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Because of sagging hinges and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, older windows especially in older homes, may be difficult to open and close. In many cases, a few simple fixes can make these windows operate smoothly and help homeowners save money on their energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you need before you begin. Begin by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame using pencil (Photo 1). This will make it easier to place the channel in the proper place when you are finished. Then, remove the sash and take off the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the cords or chains which hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with an shield to block the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and place it in a labelled bag.

Sash Weights

If your window sash repairs are to replace a broken cord or just to ensure that the windows are functional, replacing worn out sash weights will improve sash operation and reduce energy costs. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders enclosed in a concealed cavity and linked to the moveable the sash with rope. They provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be shut and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. If they fail, sashweights tend to be left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to get back It is therefore important to locate a new one that fits properly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length sash cord, and a few sash pulleys that will tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join windows made of older wood. Pin punch and hammer can be used to cut off the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of these pegs are large on one side, but smaller on the other. It is important to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line with an instrument, and then tapping the mortised section loose using mallets.

After the sash is released, you can remove sash stops and access the pockets for weights. This is usually done through tiny holes at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with a wooden access panel that can be ripped off 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 from the sash and replace it with new. 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. After the new weight is installed, tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley for the sash. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, leaving a few inches of string hanging from the head for future adjustment.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double glazing repairs-hung windows the chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This keeps the sashes in the jamb level. As time passes, these cords may break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord will give you the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and will keep it in its place when it is opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are typically screwed or nailed in and require removal. It is possible to remove them with an axe or hammer, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets before starting any work.

After removing the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Make the small parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using a chisel or flat bar. It is important to be patient as they're often placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise and tenon joints free with a screwdriver or hammer and then take out each wood peg. It should now be possible to move the sash around freely, although it will probably need some lubrication if it feels stiff.

Measure the length of the sash chain or sash cord required to reach the sash slot on the bottom, and the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the chain or cord and attach it as described in the step 6 above. You can use either a hammer, nails, or screws. However nails are less likely to cause damage.

It's best to leave the original weights in place unless you've purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance. They're not costly and easy to install if you buy them at architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size and shape of your window you may need to use one or two sashweights in order to keep it open.