Window Sash Repairs

Regularly inspect the window sashes for damage, mildew, and mold. By catching these problems early, you can save money on repairs in the future.

The sash is an interior framing that moves vertically up or down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to carry out a few simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can add a classic look to your home. They are also sturdy and last for a long time provided they are properly maintained. However, they can get damaged or deteriorated over time, due to exposure and normal wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can bring your windows back 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 is found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. Start by identifying the window's brand and the manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass, or 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.

Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface to allow access to all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, you'll have to remove the weights as well as their ropes that should have fallen into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to cut off the weather stripping from the corners, then remove it by hand Window Repairs or with a putty knife.

After the sash is cleared, you can install the parting stops. These are long pieces that split the sashes. Pam prefers the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4 inch window trimming from the lumberyard. However, you can also substitute for a scrap piece of lumber.

After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length after which, apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth it out using your putty knife, and then let it dry for a minimum of a day. Once the putty has fully cured it is possible to apply a topcoat of acrylic. This will protect the putty and give your sash a fresh appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes susceptible to wear and tear due to age and use and the result could be a door or window that isn't able to open or close easily. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is usually relatively easy and affordable. If you are having trouble opening the sash, spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then, slide the sash up and open to see if that fixes the problem. If not, the problem is most likely due to the sash balance and you'll have to take off the sash to access the hardware.

Ideally, upvc window repair sashes must be able to open and close with very little effort, however, this can be difficult when the weights wear out or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue can be due to various reasons that include a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms of a window are beginning to slide, this could cause the sash to slide and eventually land on the frame in the corner that's opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To resolve this issue, first make sure the sash is firmly seated in the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash is screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Because of sagging hinges and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, older windows, especially those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close. Many times, a few simple fixes can allow these windows to operate smoothly once more and save homeowners money on energy bills.

It is crucial to have the tools you require before you begin. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) using a pencil. This will assist you in getting the channel back into the correct position after you've finished. Remove the sash, and remove all the hardware including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty using the help of a heat gun set at medium and equipped with a nozzle shield. Remove the old sash, and keep it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to enhance the efficiency of your window sash, and also reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable sash by rope. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window to be opened and closed without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often ignored or discarded by homeowners, and are turned into scrap when they fail; therefore you might need to locate replacements.

It's difficult to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that fits correctly. You will also require a new 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 older wood windows. The wood pegs that hold the components together can be removed with pin punches and hammers. The majority of these pegs are big on one side, but smaller on the other. It is important to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be separated by using a knife or a mallet.

After the sash is removed, you can remove the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. Usually this is accomplished by drilling an opening at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an access panel of wood that can be ripped off to let you view the inside of the frame.

After you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to take off the old sash weight and replace it with new. Be sure to weigh the sash before you do this, as the old weights may be a different size than what is needed. Once the new weight is in place you can tie a string around it and thread it through the sash pulley. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double-hung windows, 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 may become damaged and make it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and keep it in place when it is opened.

To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually screwed or nailed into and must be removed. It is possible to remove them with a hammer or chisel, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can begin working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pry the narrow parting beads out of their grooves. They are typically wedged into or nailed but can be removed and it's worth your time. If the sash is in place, window repairs pry out the mortise and tenon joints with the help of a hammer and pin or screwdriver, then remove the wood pegs that are on the components. You should now be able to move the sash back and forth freely, although it may require oiling if it seems stiff.

Measure the length of sash chain/sash cord needed to reach the sash slot on the bottom from the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the chain or cord and attach it in Step 6 above. You can use a hammer, nails or screws. However, nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.

Unless you've bought a kit that replaces the old counterbalance system it is recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. They are not expensive and simple to install if purchased them from salvage shops for architectural use. Depending on the size and shape of your window, you may require one or two sashweights to keep the sash open.