Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for pane signs of 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 up or down in windows that open. This article will show you how to do a variety of simple sash repair.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide an elegant look to your home. When properly maintained, they will last for a long time. However, they can get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure and normal wear. However, sash repair experts can restore your windows to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step in sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping, which can be found on both the sash as well as the frame. It could cause drafts if worn or loose. To fix it, start by finding your window repairs near me brand and the date on which the glass was manufactured (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Remove the sash, and mark its width and height so that you can find a replacement weather stripping that matches.

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

Once the sash has been cleared, you can install the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that separate the two sashes. Pam likes to replace these with standard 1/2-inch-by - 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, but you can also use a piece of 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 knife, 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 appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes is prone to wearing out from the wear and tear of use, and the result can be a window or door that isn't able to open or close easily. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is usually relatively easy and affordable. If you are having trouble opening the sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, [Redirect-302] you can slide the sash up and open to see if that fixes the issue. If not, the issue is likely with the balance of the sash and you'll have to take off the sash to access this hardware.

The ideal situation is for window sashes to move open and shut without effort, but this is difficult when the weights are worn or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly coated. This problem can be due to various reasons such as a lack of maintenance and an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms on the window begin to move, this can cause the sash drag and eventually hit against the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To remedy the issue, make sure that the sash is in the proper position within the frame opening and then take it off. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll need to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

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

To complete these repairs to sash, it's important to have all the tools needed before you begin. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will help you get the channel back on the correct position after you've finished. Take the sash off and take out all the hardware, including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. Soften any putty that has been hardened with the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with an nozzle shield. Take off the old sash and store it in an labelled bag.

Sash Weights

If your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to keep the windows functional and functional, replacing worn-out weights on sash can improve sash operation and cut down on energy consumption. Sash weights are made of heavy lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed inside a concealed cavity, and connected by ropes to the moveable window sash. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window to be opened and closed without using mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.

It is difficult to recover an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need 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.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. The wood pegs that hold the parts together can be removed with pin punches and hammers. Most of these pegs have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Sashes 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 part loose with a mallet.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove stops on the sash and get access to the weight pockets. Usually, this is done through an opening at the bottom of each 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 that was previously installed and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash before you do this, as the old weights may be different in size from the one you need. After the new weight is in place you can tie a string around it and thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, you can attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string to allow future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double glazed window repairs-hung windows of the past include a chain or cord connected to the weights that supports and keeps the sashes balanced within the jamb. As time passes, these cords may break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cable can restore the ability to raise and lower the sash and keep it in position when opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually attached by nails or screws and require removal. You might be able to use a hammer or chisel to remove them but it's best to lay down dust sheets prior to starting any work.

After removing the access panel, you can begin working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar, or chisel, to pry the small parting beads from their grooves. It is essential to be patient as they're often stuck or nailed to the floor. If the sash remains in place, pry the mortise and tenon joints free with a hammer or screwdriver and then take out each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely, however it may need some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.

With the sash open, measure enough sash cord/chain to reach from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot on the bottom. 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.

It's best to leave the original weights in place unless you have purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance. They're not expensive and are easy to install if you purchase them at architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size of your window, two or three sash weights may be needed to keep it in an open position.