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Five Window Sash Repairs Lessons From The Professionals
Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for signs of damage, mildew and mold. By catching problems before they become serious you will save money on future repairs.

The sash is the interior framing that can be moved vertically up or down in windows that are open. This article will demonstrate how to carry out a few simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide a classic aesthetic to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for a long time. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time due to exposure or normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows to their original condition and keep them looking great for longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the most important thing to address when repairing sash windows. It's located on both the frame and sash. It can cause drafts if it's worn out or loose. Start by identifying the window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the corner of the glass or the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash and mark its size and width so that you can get new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.

Then, remove the sash from its holder, and place it on a flat surface to allow you to access all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, remove the ropes and weights that should be buried inside the jamb lining. After removing the sash using the utility knife, you can remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or using a putty knife.

Once the sash is clear and clean, you can put in the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that separate the two sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4 inch window trimming from the lumberyard. But, you can substitute a scrap piece of wood.


After removing window repairs near me parting stop and trimming 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, then let it dry for at least a few days. Once the putty has 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 holds the window sashes may wear out over time and with use. This could lead to the window or door that is difficult to open or close. It's important to know that replacing and fixing this hardware is usually easy and affordable. If you're having trouble opening the sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash out to see if that fixes the problem. If not, the problem is most likely due to the balance of the sash and you'll have to take off the sash in order to access the hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should swing open and closed with very little effort, but this can be difficult when the weights are worn or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly coated. This problem can be caused by a number of reasons, such as the lack of maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the particular sash.

If the hinges on the window begin to move, this can cause the sash drag, and then eventually to hit the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To correct the issue make sure the sash is aligned in the frame opening and then remove it. If the sash is screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to sagging hinges, and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older houses, could be difficult to open or close. Many times it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can allow these windows to operate smoothly again and help homeowners save money on energy bills.

It is important to have the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will make it easier to put the channel in the correct location after you've completed. Remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords which hold it in place. A hot gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting will soften any putty that has been hardened. Remove the old sash and put it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

If your window sash repairs are to replace a broken cord or just to keep the windows functional by replacing worn out weights on sash can improve sash operation and reduce energy costs. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and connected to the movable sash by rope. These weights provide counterbalance that allows the window to be shut and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are usually ignored or discarded by homeowners and turned into scrap when they break; therefore you may have to search for replacements.

It is difficult to recover an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that fits correctly. You will also need an additional piece of string, a length of sash cord, and a few sash pulleys to tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Older windows made of wood are joined with mortise and tenon joints. Pin punch and hammer can be used to take out the wood pegs holding the components together. The majority of them have a large diameter on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, which is why it is important to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes that were made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised part loose with mallets.

Once the sash is freed and removed, you can take off the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. Usually, this is done through an opening at the bottom of each jamb. This hole is then covered by a wooden access panel that can be cut off to let you view the inside of the frame.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel has been removed, you can take off the weight that was previously installed and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights may be a different size than the one you need. Once the new weight is installed, run the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, you can nail the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double-hung windows of the past come with a chain or cord connected to the weights that keeps the sashes balanced within the jamb. As time passes, these cords may break, making it impossible to raise the window. A new sash cable will give you the ability to move and lower the sash and keep it in place when it is opened.

The first step in replacing cords for sash is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are usually nailed or screwed in and will require to be removed or repositioned. You could use a hammer and chisel for removing them, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets before starting any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you can begin to work on the sash. Utilize a flat bar or chisel to pull the small parting beads out of their grooves. They are usually wedged in or nailed in, but they can be snipped out, so it's worth taking your time here. If the sash is still in place, remove the mortise and the tenon joints by using a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, then remove the wood pegs on the components. The sash should move around freely now, however it may need some lubrication to feel less stiff.

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

It is best to keep the original weights if you've purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's not expensive to buy them from a salvage store and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash opened. Depending on the size of your window one or two sashweights could be needed to keep the sash in an open position.

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