Window Sash Repairs 101"The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for any damage, mildew and mold. By catching problems before they become serious you can save money on future repairs.

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

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can give an elegant appearance to your home. They are also durable and last for a long time when they are maintained properly. However, they may become damaged or degraded in time due to exposure to the elements and wear and wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for much longer than newer replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the first thing to address when repairing windows with sash. It's on both the frame and the sash. If it's worn or loose, out, it can lead to drafts and other problems. To fix it, start by determining your window's brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (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 you can purchase new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Next, remove the sash and place it on a table so you can access all four sides. If the 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 pocket of the jamb liner. After removing the sash with the utility knife, you can remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or with the putty blade.

After the sash has been cleared, you can install parting stops. They are long pieces of wood that are used to separate the two sashes. Pam prefers the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trimming from the lumberyard. But, you can also use with a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the stopper and cutting it to length after which, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth it out using your putty knife, and then let it dry for at least a day. After it has fully dried, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty, and give your sash a fresh look.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes susceptible to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use, and the result can be a door or window that won't open or close easily. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is typically relatively easy and affordable. If a sash becomes difficult to operate try spraying grease into the jamb channel and then open it to see if it fixes the problem. If not, the issue is likely with the sash balance and you'll need to remove the sash to access this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should move open and shut with minimal effort but this can be an issue when the weights wear out or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly coated. This issue can be caused by a number of things, such as insufficient maintenance or an incorrect weight rating for the specific window replacement near me sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually land on the frame in the corner that's opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To fix this problem, first ensure that the sash is squarely inserted into the frame's opening and then take it out of the window. If the sash was screwed onto the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older homes, may be difficult to open and close, due to sagging hinges and an overall inefficiency. Sometimes it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can help these windows function smoothly and save homeowners money on energy costs.

To make these repairs to the sash, it's important to have all the necessary tools lined up before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will help you get the channel back in position correctly after you've completed. Take the sash off and then remove all hardware including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that help to hold the sash. Soften any hardened putty with a heat gun set to medium and fitted with an shield to block the nozzle. Take off the old sash and place it in a bag that is labeled.

Sash Weights

Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or to keep the windows functional by replacing worn out sash weights will improve sash operation and cut down on energy costs. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed in a hidden cavity and connected to the movable sash by a rope. These weights act as counterbalances, allowing you to open and shut the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often ignored or discarded by homeowners and turned into scrap when they break; therefore you may have to find replacements.

A weight in a sash that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve and you'll need to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length sash cord and some sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights to the sash cord.

Older windows made of wood are joined by mortise and tenon joints. Hammers and pins can be used to remove the wood pegs that hold the parts together. Most of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes made use of glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife or mallet.

After the sash is released, you can remove sash stops and gain access to the weight pockets. Usually this is accomplished by drilling an opening at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel has been removed, you are able to remove the weight you used and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash first to ensure that the weights you have may not be of the right size. Once the new weight is in place you can tie a string around it and then thread it through the sash pulley. Then, you can attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the end of the string for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of double-hung windows, a cord or chain is affixed to the weights. This keeps the sashes of the jamb level. As time passes, these cords may break, making it impossible to raise the window replacement. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and keep it in position when it is opened.

The first step to replace sash cords is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are usually fixed or screwed in and will need to be removed or moved. It may be possible to remove them using an axe or hammer, but it is always best to lay out dust sheets before 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 small partsing beads out of their grooves. These are often wedged in or nailed but can be snipped out and it's worth your time here. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise and tenon joints free with a screwdriver or hammer, then remove each wood peg. You should now be able to move the sash around without difficulty, though it may require lubrication if it feels stiff.

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

It is best to keep the original weights in place unless you've purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's cheap to purchase these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash unlocked. Based on the size of your window one or two sash weights could be needed to keep the sash in an open position.