What Experts In The Field Would Like You To Know

Window Sash Repairs

Window sashes must be regularly checked for mold, mildew, and damage. You can save future repair costs by catching these issues in the early stages before they get out of hand.

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

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can give an elegant look to your home. They are also sturdy and will last for many years if they are properly maintained. They can, however, get damaged or deteriorated over time, due to exposure and normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for much longer than newer 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 can lead to drafts, as well as other issues. To fix it, start by finding your window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass window repair (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Take the sash off and mark its width and height so that you can get replacement weather stripping that matches.

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

Once the sash has been cleared, you can replace the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that are used to 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 could also use a piece of scrap wood.

After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife, and let it dry for at least a day. When the putty is fully cured and dried, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic. This will help 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 could be a window or door that can't be opened or closed easily. It's a good idea to know that replacing or fixing this hardware is usually simple and inexpensive. If you're having difficulty opening a sash, spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash open to see if that fixes the issue. If not, the issue is likely with the balance of the sash and you'll need to take out the sash in order to access the hardware.

The ideal situation is for window sashes to move open and shut with minimal effort but this is difficult when the weights are worn or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue could be caused by a variety of factors that include the lack of maintenance or an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms of a window are beginning to sag, this can cause the sash's to drag and eventually hit 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 take it out of the window. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll need to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack of energy efficiency, older windows especially in older houses, could be difficult to open or close. In most instances, a few easy repairs can turn these windows into smooth operation and save homeowners cash on energy costs.

It is essential to have the tools you need before you start. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will help you get the channel back into position correctly after you've completed. Take the sash off and take out all the hardware, including the beads for parting, cords, and chains that keep the sash in place. Heat gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any hardened glue. Remove the old sash, and store it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

No matter if your window sash repair needs are to replace a broken cord or simply to ensure that the windows are functional by replacing worn out weights on sash can improve sash operation and cut down on energy consumption. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a hidden cavity and linked to the moveable the sash with rope. They function as counterbalances, allowing you to open and close the window without having to use mechanical or electrical devices. The sash-weights are typically neglected or ignored by homeowners and turned into scrap when they break; therefore you might need to locate replacements.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to get back and you'll need to locate a new one that fits correctly. You will also need a new piece of string, a length of the Sash Window Repair cord, as well as some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Older wood windows are joined with mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs holding the components together can be removed by the use of a pin punch and Sash Window Repair hammer. The majority of these pegs are large on one side, and smaller on the other. It is essential to first remove the smaller diameter sides. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line with a knife, then tapping the mortised area loose using a mallet.

After the sash is removed, you can take off the stops on the sash and get access to the weight pockets. Usually this is accomplished 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 you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to remove the old sash weight and replace it with the new. First, weigh the sash, as the weights you have might not be of the right size. After the new weight is installed, tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then attach the string to the boxed frame, leaving a few inches of string protruding from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double glazed window repairs-hung windows of the past come with a chain or cord connected to the weights that supports and keeps the sashes in balance within the jamb. As time passes, these cords can become damaged and make it impossible to raise windows. A new sash cord will give you the ability to move the sash up and down 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. They are typically nailed or screwed in and will require to be removed or repositioned. It may be possible to remove them using an axe or hammer, Sash Window Repair but it is always best to lay out dust sheets prior to starting any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can begin working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pull the small partsing beads out of their grooves. It is important to be patient as they're often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise and tenon joints free with a screwdriver or hammer and then remove each wood peg. You should be able to move the sash around freely, although it may require oiling if it seems stiff.

With the sash open With the sash in an open position, measure the sash chain or cord to reach from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and attach it in Step 6 above. You can employ a hammer and screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It's best to leave the original weights if you have purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's cheap to purchase them from a salvage store and they'll be easy to install once you've got the sash unlocked. Based on the size and shape of your window you might need to install one or two sashweights to keep the sash open.