Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. By catching these problems early, you can save money on future repairs.

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

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can give an elegant look to your home. They are also sturdy and will last for many years provided they are properly maintained. They can, however, get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure and normal wear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can bring your windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance for longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the first thing to address when repairing windows with sash. It's located on both the frame and the sash. If it's damaged or worn out, it can cause drafts and other problems. Begin by identifying the brand of window and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash and mark its width and height so you can find a replacement weather stripping that matches.

Then, take it off and set it on a work surface so you can access all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, you'll have to remove the weights as well as their ropes, which should have fallen 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 a putty blade.

Once the sash has been cleared, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that split the sashes. Pam prefers to use standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trimmings from the lumberyard. However, you could substitute with a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using a putty knife, and let it dry for at least one day. After it has fully dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a new look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports the windows sashes can become worn out with time and use. This can result in the window or upvc door repairs near me that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically very simple and cost-effective. If you are having trouble opening a sash spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash out to see if that fixes the issue. If not, the problem is likely to be with the sash balance, and you'll need to take out the sash to gain access to this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut with very little effort, but this can be an issue if the weights become worn or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This problem can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as insufficient 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 hit the frame in the corner opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To resolve this problem, first ensure that the sash fits squarely in the frame's opening and then take it out of the window. If the sash was fixed to the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to hinges that are sagging, and installed a general lack of energy efficiency, windows that are old, especially those in older homes, can be difficult to open or close. In many cases, a few simple repairs can transform these windows into smooth operation for the first time and save the homeowner money on energy bills.

In order to make these sash repairs it is important to have all the necessary tools in place before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will help you to position the channel in the correct place when you are finished. Then, remove the sash and take off the hardware including the beads that separate (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that secure it. Heat gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting will soften any hardened glue. Take off the old sash and keep it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and reduce the cost of energy. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a hidden cavity and attached to the movable window sash using a rope. These weights provide counterbalance that allows the window to be opened and closed without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. If they fail, sashweights tend to be neglected or not used by homeowners.

A sash weight that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to get back It is therefore important to locate a new one that fits correctly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Older wood windows are joined using mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that keep the components together can be removed using the use of a pin punch and hammer. Most of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller diameter on the other side, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised part loose using a mallet.

After the sash is released, you can remove the stops on the sash and get access to the weight pockets. Usually it is done by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inner workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel is removed, you are able to remove the weight that was previously installed and replace it. Weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you've got may not be of the right size. After the new weight has been installed, you can thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, you can attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the head of the string to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most old double-hung windows come with a chain or cord connected to the weights that supports and keeps the sashes balanced in the jamb. Over time, these cords could break, making it impossible to raise the window. A new sash cable can restore the ability to raise and lower the sash and keep it in place when opened.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are usually installed by screws or nails and will require to be removed or moved. It is possible to remove them with a hammer or chisel, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Take the narrow beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using the chisel or flat bar. They are usually wedged in or nailed in, but they can be snipped out, so it's worth taking your time. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise and tenon joints free with a screwdriver or hammer and then take out each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely now, but it may require some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.

With the sash open, measure enough sash cord/chain to extend from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot on the bottom. Cut the chain or cord and fix it as described in the previous step. You can do this with nail, hammer or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.

Unless you've bought an item that replaces the old counterbalance system it's best to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not too expensive to purchase these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash open. Depending on the size of your window repairs two or three sash weights could be needed to keep it open.