Why Window Sash Repairs Is More Difficult Than You Imagine

Window Sash Repairs

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

The sash is an interior frame that can move up and down vertically in windows that open. This article will show you how to perform simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide the classic look to your home. When properly maintained, they can last for years. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time, due to exposure and normal wear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original condition and maintain their beauty longer than replacement windows.

The first step to sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping. It's found on both the sash as well as the frame. If it's loose or worn out, it could cause drafts and other problems. Begin by identifying the window's brand and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corner or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, take the sash off and mark its height and width so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.

Next, remove the sash and place it on a work surface so that you can reach all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, take out the ropes and weights that should be buried inside the jamb lining. After you've removed the sash using a utility knife, you can use it to cut off the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners, and then remove it manually or with a putty knife.

Once the sash has been cleared, you can replace parting stops. These are long pieces that divide the sashes. Pam prefers standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you can also use a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the stoppers for parting and trimming them to the desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least one day. After it has fully dried then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes prone to wearing out from time and usage and the result could be a upvc window repair near me or door that won't open or close easily. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is generally relatively easy and affordable. If a sash is difficult to operate try spraying grease into the jamb channel, and then open it to see if that fixes the problem. If the problem persists, it is most 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 without effort, but this is a difficult task if the weights become worn or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly coated. This issue can be due to various reasons that include an absence of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms of a window begin to slide, this could cause the sash to slide and eventually hit the frame in the corner that's in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To fix the problem, make sure that the sash is centered in the frame's opening and take it off. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll have to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Next, install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, older windows especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and close. Sometimes it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can allow these windows to operate smoothly again and save homeowners money on their energy bills.

It is essential to have the tools you require before you begin. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will assist you in getting the channel back into place correctly when you're finished. Remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the cords or chains that secure it. Heat gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any hardened putty. Take off the old sash and store it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and decrease the cost of energy. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable sash by a rope. These weights function as counterbalances, which allows you to open and shut the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. The sash-weights are typically ignored or discarded by homeowners, and are turned into scrap when they break; therefore you might need to find replacements.

It's difficult to retrieve the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits correctly. You will also require an additional piece of string, a length the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join windows made of older wood. The wood pegs that keep the parts together can be removed with a pin punch and hammer. The majority of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, which is why it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting through the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised area loose with mallets.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove the sash stops and access the pockets for weights. Usually, this is done through a hole near the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to remove the old sash weight and replace it with the new. First, weigh the sash because the weights you've got may not be the right size. Once the new weight has been installed, run the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then nail the string to the frame, leaving a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most old double-hung windows come with a chain or cord connected to the weights that keeps the sashes in balance within the jamb. As time passes, these cords may break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash up and down and keep it in position when it is opened.

The first step to replace cords for sash is to locate and remove the access panels within the jambs. They are usually fixed or screwed in and will require to be removed or repositioned. 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 you have removed the access panel, you are able to begin to work on the sash. Make the small 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 removed and it's worth your time here. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise and tenon joints free using a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. The sash should move freely, however it may require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.

Take a measurement of the length of sash chain/sash cord required to reach the sash slot on the bottom from the pulley located at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord or chain, and then fix it using the previous step. You can do this with a hammer, nails, or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you haven't purchased a kit that replaces the old counterbalance system, it's recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. They're not expensive and are easy to install if you buy them from architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size of your window two or three sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.