Window Sash Repairs

Sashes for windows must be regularly checked for mold, mildew and other damage. You can reduce future repair costs by catching these issues early on, before they become out of control.

The sash is an internal frame that moves upwards and downwards in windows that are open. This article will show you how to make several simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes give a classic aesthetic to your home. If properly maintained, they will last for a long time. They can, however, become damaged or degraded with time due to exposure and normal wear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step to sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping, which can be found on both the sash and frame. It could cause drafts if worn or loose. To fix it, start by determining the brand of your window and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, take the sash off and mark its height and width to find the appropriate weather stripping replacement to match.

Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash has a double glazed window repairs-hung, you'll need to remove the weights as well as the ropes that go with them, which should have fallen into the pocket of the jamb liner. After removing the sash with the utility knife, remove the old weather stripping by hand or with a putty blade.

Once the sash has been cleaned, you can replace parting stops. These are long pieces that split the sashes. Pam prefers to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by 3/4-inch window repair trim from the lumberyard, but you could 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 over the bottom of the sash. Smooth out the compound using your putty knife, then let it dry for a minimum of a day. Once it's fully cured then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty and give your sash a fresh look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports windows sashes can become worn out over time and with 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 straightforward and cost-effective. If a sash is difficult to operate you can try spraying some oil into the jamb channel and then open it to see if it fixes the problem. If not, the issue is likely with the balance of the sash and you'll need to take out the sash to access the hardware.

Sashes for windows should be able to open and close without much effort. However, this may be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash-to-rail connecting rail isn't properly glazed. This problem can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as lack of maintenance or by the wrong weight rating for a particular sash.

If the hinge arms of a window begin to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash's to drag and eventually strike the frame in the corner that's opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To remedy the issue ensure that the sash is aligned in the frame opening, and then remove it. If the sash was attached to the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older homes, may be difficult to close and open due to hinges that are sagging and a general inefficiency. In many cases just a few easy fixes can allow these windows to operate smoothly and save homeowners money on energy bills.

It is essential to have the tools you require before you start. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will help you get the channel back in the correct position after you've finished. Then, remove the sash and take off the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords which hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with a shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash and put it in a bag that is labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be changed to improve the performance of your window sash and decrease the energy cost. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and attached to the movable window sash using a rope. They provide counterbalance that allows the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are usually neglected or ignored by homeowners and turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently you may have to locate replacements.

It's difficult to retrieve the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that is suitable for the. You will also need a new piece of string, a length the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Older wood windows are joined with mortise and tenon joints. Pin punch and hammer can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the parts together. The majority of these pegs have a large diameter on one side and a smaller size on the other, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes that were made later in the century made use of glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting the glue line with the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised part loose with a mallet.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove the sash stops and access the weight pockets. Usually, this is done through an opening at the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered by a wooden access panel which can be removed to let you view the inside of the frame.

Once the sash is stopped and the access panel is removed, you can remove the weight you used and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the weights that were previously used may be different in size from the one you need. Once the new weight is installed, tie a string to it and then thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, leaving a few inches of string hanging from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double-hung upvc window repairs near me the chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This supports and keeps the sashes within the jamb in a balanced manner. Over time, these cords can get damaged and render it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable will give you the ability to raise and lower the sash and keep it in place when it is opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are usually screwed or nailed into and must be removed. It may be possible to remove them using an axe or hammer, however, it is best to lay out dust sheets before starting any work.

Once the access panel is removed, you can begin working on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves using flat bar or chisel. These are often wedged in or nailed in, but they can be snipped out, so it's worth taking your time here. If the sash is still in place, remove the mortise and the tenon joints by using the help of a hammer and pin or screwdriver, then remove the wood pegs on each component. The sash should be able move freely now, but it may need some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.

With the sash open Take a measurement of the sash chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord/chain and then attach it in Step 6 above. You can use a hammer and nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have an upgrade kit to replace the counterbalance system that was in place before, it is recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash opened. Based on the dimensions and shape of your Window Repair, you may require one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.