Window Sash Repairs 101: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Window Sash Repairs

Regularly inspect the window sashes for damage, mildew, and sash window repair mold. You can avoid future repair costs by catching these issues early on, before they get out of hand.

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

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can add an elegant look to your home. They are also sturdy and will last for many years provided they are properly maintained. However, they can be damaged or degraded over time due to exposure and normal wear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can bring your windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance for longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the most important thing to address when repairing sash windows. It's on both the frame and sash. If it's loose or worn out, it could cause drafts and other problems. Begin by identifying the window's brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the glass's corners, or the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash, and mark its width and height so you can purchase new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, take the sash from the holder and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to reach all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to remove the weights and their accompanying ropes, which should have fallen into the pocket of the jamb liner. After removing the sash with the utility knife, take off the old weather stripping by hand or using the putty blade.

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

After removing the parting stops and cutting them to the desired length then apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth it out using your putty knife, then let it dry for at least a day. After it has fully dried and dried, apply a second coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a modern look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear from age and use, and the result can be a door or local window repair that won't open or close easily. It's important to know that replacing or repair of this hardware is typically straightforward and cost-effective. If a sash is difficult to operate, try spraying some grease into the jamb channel and then open it to see if this solves the issue. If the issue persists it's most likely the sash balance. It is necessary to remove the window sash to access the hardware.

Window sashes need to open and close with little effort. However, this can be a challenge if the weights have been worn out or the sash-to-rail meeting rail is not properly coated. This issue could be caused by a number of factors, including insufficient maintenance or a mismatched weight rating for the specific window sash.

If the hinge arms of a window begin to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually land on the frame in the corner opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To remedy the issue ensure that the sash window repair is aligned in the frame opening and then remove it. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash next (Photo 3).

Windows that are old, especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and sash window Repair close because of sagging hinges and general inefficiency. In many cases, a few simple repairs can transform these windows into smooth operation for the first time and save the homeowner cash on energy costs.

In order to make these sash repairs it is important to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with a pencil (Photo 1). This will help you get the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Take the sash off, and remove all the hardware including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that hold the sash in place. Soften any hardened putty using a heat gun set to medium and fitted with an shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and keep it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

No matter if your window sash repair timber windows needs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to keep your windows functioning by replacing worn out weights on sash can improve sash operation and help reduce energy consumption. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable the sash with a rope. They provide counterbalance that allows the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.

It is difficult to recover the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sash cord and some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. The wood pegs that keep the components together can be removed with the use of a pin punch and hammer. Most of these pegs have a large diameter on one side and a smaller one on the other side, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Later sashes made use of glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife or a mallet.

After the sash is released, you can remove the sash stops and access the pockets for weights. This is usually done through a small hole at the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered by an access panel made of wood that can be ripped off to allow you to observe the inner workings of the frame.

After you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to take off the weight from the sash and replace it with new. Be sure to weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you have may not be the right size. Once the new weight is installed, tie a string to it and thread it through the sash pulley. Then, attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double-hung windows of the past include a chain or cord attached to the weights that helps keep the sashes in balance within the jamb. Over time these cords can break, making it impossible 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 in replacing sash cords is to find and remove the access panels in the jambs. They are typically screwed or nailed into and require removal. You may be able to employ a hammer and chisel to prise them off but it's best to lay down dust sheets before beginning any work.

After removing the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel, to pry the narrow parting beads out of their grooves. These are often wedged in or nailed in, but they can be snipped out, so it's worth taking your time here. If the sash remains in place, remove the mortise and tenon joints using a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs attached to the components. It should now be possible to move the sash back and forth freely, although it might require oiling if it seems stiff.

With the sash in an open position, measure enough sash cord/chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the chain or cord and secure it as in the previous step. You can use either a hammer, nails or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have an item that replaces the counterbalance system that was in place before, it's best to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not expensive to buy them from architectural salvage stores and they will be easy to install once you have the sash open. Depending on the dimensions and shape of your window, you may require one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.