Window Sash Repairs

Sashes for windows must be checked regularly for mold, mildew and damage. By catching problems before they become serious, you can save money on repairs in the future.

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

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes are a great way to add a classic look to your home. They are also sturdy and can last many years when they are maintained properly. However, they can get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure or normal wear. Sash Repair My Windows And Doors experts can restore windows to their original condition and maintain their beauty much longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the most important issue to take care of when fixing windows with sash. It's on both the frame and the sash. It can cause drafts if worn or loose. 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 Repair My Windows And Doors mark its size and width so that you can get replacement weather stripping that matches.

Then, you can remove the sash from the holder and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to see all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll have to take off the weights and their accompanying ropes that should have fallen into the pocket of the jamb liner. Once you've taken the sash off, use a utility knife to remove the weather stripping from the corners, and then remove it manually or with a putty knife.

After the sash has been cleared and clean, you can put in the parting stops. These are long pieces that split the sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4 inch window trimming from the lumberyard. But, you can also use for a scrap piece of lumber.

After removing the parting stop and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least a day. When the putty is fully cured, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic latex. This will protect the putty and give your sash a new look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear due to time and usage, and the result can be a window or door that won't open or close easily. It's important to know that replacing or fixing this hardware is usually simple and inexpensive. If you're having trouble opening the sash, spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash open to see if that fixes the issue. If the issue continues it's most likely to be due to the sash's balance. You will need remove the window sash in order to get access to this part of the hardware.

Window sashes should open and close with little effort. However, this can be a challenge if the weights have been worn out or the sash-to rail meeting rail is not properly glazed. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including the lack of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating for the particular sash.

If the hinges on the window begin to move, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually hit against the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To correct the issue, make sure that the sash is aligned in the frame opening, and then take it off. If the sash is screwed onto the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Because of sagging hinges and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, old windows especially in older houses, could be difficult to open or close. Sometimes just a few easy fixes can help these windows function smoothly once more and help homeowners save money on their energy bills.

In order to make these repairs to the sash, it's important to have all the necessary tools lined up before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will make it easier to put the channel in the proper position after you've finished. Remove the sash and then remove all hardware including the parting beads, cords, and chains that keep the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty with an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with an shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash and store it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the operation of your upvc window repairs near me sash and decrease the cost of energy. Sash weights are composed of heavy lead or iron cylinders that are encased in a hidden cavity and attached by ropes to the movable window sash. They provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be shut and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are usually ignored or discarded by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they fail; therefore you may have to search for replacements.

A sash weight that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve It is therefore important to find a new one that is suitable for the. You will also require an additional piece of string, a length sash cord, Repair My Windows And Doors and a few sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join older wood windows. Hammers and pins can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the parts together. The majority of these pegs are big on one side, but smaller on the other. It is important to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Sashes that were made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line using the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised area loose with mallets.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove sash stops and access the pockets for weights. This is usually done through a small hole at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an access panel made of wood which can be removed so that you can observe the inner workings of the frame.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel has been removed, you are able to remove the weight you used and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you have may not be the right size. Once the new weight is in place then tie a string to it and then thread it through the pulley for the sash. Then, nail the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches of space at the head of the string to allow future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double-hung window the chain or cord is affixed to the weights. This helps keep the sashes within the jamb in a balanced manner. Over time, these chains 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 ensure it stays in place when opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually screwed or nailed in and need to be removed. It may be possible to remove them using an axe or hammer, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

Once the access panel is removed, you can begin working on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using flat bar or chisel. They are usually wedged in or nailed, but they can be removed which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash is in place, break the mortise and tenon joints using a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs attached to the components. The sash should move freely now, but it might require some lubrication to feel less 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 in the previous step. You can either use a hammer and screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It's best to leave the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you have purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's cheap to purchase these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash unlocked. Depending on the size of your window, one or two sashweights could be needed to keep it open.