Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for any damage, mildew and mold. You can reduce future repair costs by catching problems early on before they become out of control.

The sash is an inside frame that moves upwards and downwards in windows that open. This article will teach you how to perform simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes give an elegant look to your home and, when properly maintained, they will last for many years. However, they can become damaged or degrade over time due to exposure to elements and normal wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for much longer than newer replacement windows.

The first step in repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping. It's found on both the sash as well as the frame. It can cause drafts if worn or loose. Start by identifying the window's brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the corner of the glass or the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash and mark its size and width so that you can purchase replacement weather stripping that matches.

Then, you can remove the sash from its holder, and place it on a flat surface to allow you to access all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to remove the weights and their accompanying ropes that should have fallen into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. After removing the sash using the utility knife, you can remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or with a putty blade.

Once the sash has been cleaned, you can replace the parting stops. These are long pieces that divide the sashes. Pam likes to replace these 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 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 using a putty tool and allow it to dry for at least one day. When the putty is fully dried it is possible to apply a topcoat of acrylic. This will help protect the putty, and give your sash an updated look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes is prone to wearing out from age and use, and the result can be a window or door that can't be opened or closed easily. It's important to know that replacing or repair my windows and doors of this hardware is typically easy and affordable. If you're having difficulty opening a sash spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then, slide the sash up and open to see if this resolves the problem. If the issue continues it's likely to be due to the sash's balance. It is necessary remove the window sash in order to access the hardware.

Window sashes need to open and close with little effort. However, this may be a challenge if the weights have been worn out or the sash-to-rail connecting rail isn't properly glazed. This problem can be caused by a variety of things, such as insufficient maintenance or an incorrect weight rating for a particular sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to sag, this can cause the sash to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner in the opposite direction of 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 screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Windows that are old, especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and close due to hinges that are sagging and a general inefficiency. In most cases, a few simple repairs can transform these windows into smooth operators again and save the homeowner money on energy bills.

It is important to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will make it easier to put the channel in the proper position after you've finished. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware, including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that hold the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty with an electric heat gun set to medium and equipped with a 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 to keep your windows functioning, replacing worn out weights on sash can improve sash operation and cut down on energy costs. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders enclosed in a hidden cavity and attached to the movable the sash with rope. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window to be shut and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. The sash weights are often disregarded or disabled by homeowners and turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently you might need to locate replacements.

It's difficult to retrieve 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 sash cord and some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights to the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join old wood windows. The wood pegs that keep the parts together can be removed using pin punches and hammers. The majority of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller size on the other, so it is important to remove the small-diameter sides first. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line using an instrument, repair my windows and doors and then tapping the mortised section loose with a mallet.

After the sash is removed, you can take off the stops on the sash and get access to the pockets for weights. Usually this is accomplished by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered with a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inner workings.

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 the new. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights may be different in size from what you require. Once the new weight is in place then tie a string to it and then thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, you can nail the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustment.

Sash Cords

The majority of double glazing Harlow-hung windows with a history have a cord or Repair My Windows And Doors chain attached to the weights that helps keep the sashes in balance within the jamb. Over time, these cords may become damaged and make it impossible to raise windows. A new sash cable can restore the ability to move 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 typically installed by screws or nails and will require to be removed or relocated. It is possible to take them out using an axe or hammer, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets before beginning any work.

After removing the access panel, you are able to begin to work on the sash. Utilize a flat bar, or chisel to pull the narrow partsing beads out of their grooves. These are often wedged in or nailed but can be snipped out which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash is in place, break the mortise and tenon joints with a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs that are on the components. You should be able to move the sash back and forth freely, though it may require oil if it feels stiff.

Measure the length of the sash chain or sash cord needed to reach the sash slot on the bottom from the pulley at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord/chain and then fix it as described in the previous step. You can employ a hammer and nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It is best to keep the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you have purchased a kit to replace the old 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 opened. Based on the size of your window, one or two sashweights could be needed to keep the sash in an open position.