Window Sash Repairs

Sashes for windows must be checked regularly for mold, mildew and other damage. You can save future Repair My Windows And Doors costs by catching the issues early, before they become too much.

The sash is an interior framing that can be moved vertically upwards or downwards in windows that are open. This article will show you how to do simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

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

Weather stripping is the first aspect to consider when you are repairing sash windows. It is located on both the frame and the sash. It could cause drafts if damaged or is loose. Begin by identifying the window brand and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass or the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, take the sash off and mark its width and height to find the appropriate weather stripping replacement to match.

Then, take it off and set it on a work surface to allow access to all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to take off the weights and their ropes which should have slipped into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, remove the weather stripping that was left by hand or with the putty blade.

After the sash is cleaned, you can replace parting stops. These are long pieces wood that divide the two sashes. Pam prefers to replace them with standard 1/2-inch-by 3/4-inch window doctor near me trim from the lumberyard, but you can also replace them with scrap wood.

After removing the parting stops and trimming them to the desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty tool, and let it dry for at least one day. Once it's fully cured and dried, apply a second coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty, and give your sash a fresh look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds the window sashes may wear out over time and with use. This can result in a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically quite simple and inexpensive. If you are having trouble opening a sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash up and open to see if that fixes the issue. If the issue persists it's likely that the sash balance is off. You'll need to take off the window sash in order to reach this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes must be able to open and close with very little effort, but this is a difficult task when the weights wear out or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue can be caused by a variety of things, such as lack of maintenance or by a mismatched weight rating for a particular window 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 in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To resolve 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 has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Next, install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack in energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older houses, could be difficult to open and close. Many times it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can allow these windows to operate smoothly once more and save homeowners money on their energy bills.

To make these sash repairs, it's important to have all the tools needed before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with a pencil (Photo 1). This will allow you to get the channel back into place correctly when you're finished. Take the sash off, and remove all the hardware including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty with an electric heat gun set to medium and equipped with an nozzle shield. Remove the old sash and place it in a labelled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash and decrease the cost of energy. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a hidden cavity and attached to the movable the sash with a rope. These weights provide counterbalance that allows the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often ignored or discarded by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they fail; therefore, you may need to locate replacements.

It's not easy to retrieve the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits properly. You will also require a fresh piece of string, a length of sashcord and some sashpulleys to tie the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Older wood windows are joined with mortise and tenon joints. Hammers and pins can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the parts together. Most of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller size on the other, so it is crucial to take out the small-diameter sides first. Sashes made later in the century made use of glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line using an instrument, and then tapping the mortised area loose using mallets.

After the sash is removed then you can take out the sash stop and access the weight pocket. This is usually done through an opening at the bottom of every jamb. This hole is covered with the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the inner workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel is removed, you can remove the weight you used and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash before you do this, since the old weights may be different sizes than what is needed. After the new weight is installed, thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches protruding at the end of the string for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In most old double-hung window, a cord or chain is affixed to the weights. This helps keep the sashes within the jamb in a balanced manner. Over time, these cords can get damaged and make it difficult to raise 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.

The first step to replace sash cords is to find and remove the access panels within the jambs. They are typically fixed or screwed in and must be removed or repositioned. 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 you have removed the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Utilize a flat bar or chisel to pull the tiny parting beads out of their grooves. They are typically wedged into or nailed but can be prised free which is why it's worth your time. If the sash remains in place, pry 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 without difficulty, though it will probably need some lubrication if it feels stiff.

Measure the length of sash chain/sash cord required to reach the sash slot on the bottom, and the pulley at the top of the jamb. Cut the chain or cord, and then secure it in the previous step. You can use a hammer and screws or nails, however 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 that will replace the old counterbalance. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they will be easy to install once you have the sash unlocked. Based on the dimensions and shape of your window you might need to install one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.