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5 Window Sash Repairs Lessons Learned From Professionals
Window Sash Repairs

Window sashes need to be checked regularly for mold, mildew and damage. If you catch these issues early you can save money on future repairs.

The sash is an internal frame that is able to move vertically up and down in windows that open. This article will demonstrate how to carry out a few simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping


Wood window sashes give a classic aesthetic to your home and, when properly maintained, they can last for years. However, they can become damaged or degraded with time, due to exposure and normal wear. However, sash repair experts can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step for repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping, which is found on both the sash and frame. If it's damaged or worn out, it can cause drafts and other problems. To fix it, begin by finding your window 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 find a replacement weather stripping that matches.

Next, remove the sash and place it on a table to allow access to all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to take off the weights and their accompanying ropes that should have fallen into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to cut away the weather stripping from the corners. Then, take it off by hand or using a putty blade.

Once the sash has been cleaned, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that separate the sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you could substitute with a scrap piece of wood.

After removing the parting stops and cutting them to the desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty knife, and allow it to dry for at least one day. When the putty is fully dried, you can apply an acrylic latex topcoat. This will protect the putty and give your sash a new appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes may wear out over time and with use. This could result in the window or door that is difficult to open or close. It's important to know that replacing or fixing this hardware is usually straightforward and cost-effective. If you're having trouble opening a sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash out to see if it resolves the problem. If the issue continues it's likely the sash balance. You will need remove the window sash in order to reach this hardware.

Window sashes need to be able to open and close with minimal effort. However, this may be difficult if weights are worn out or the sash connecting rail isn't covered with. This problem can be caused by a number of things, such as the lack of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating for a particular window sash.

If the hinge arms on windows begin to slide, this can cause the sash drag and then hit the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To resolve this problem, first ensure that the sash is squarely inserted into the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash is screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to unscrew the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, especially those in older homes, can be difficult to close and open because of sagging hinges and a general inefficiency. In many instances, a few minor repairs can transform these windows into smooth operation and save homeowners money on energy costs.

It is important to have the tools you need before you begin. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will make it easier to place the channel in the right place when you are finished. Then, remove the sash, and then remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the cords or chains which hold it in place. Soften any putty that has been hardened with the help of a heat gun set at medium and equipped with a nozzle shield. Remove the old sash, and store it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be replaced to improve the operation of your window sash, and also reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are composed of heavy lead or iron cylindricals that are contained in a hidden cavity and attached by a rope to the movable window sash. They are counterbalancers, allowing the window to be closed and opened without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often disregarded or disabled by homeowners and turned into scrap when they fail; therefore you might need to find replacements.

A sash weight that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve It is therefore important to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sash cord, and a few sash pulleys that will tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Older wood windows are joined using mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that hold the parts together can be removed by a pin punch and hammer. The majority of them have a large diameter on one side and a smaller size on the other, which is why it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be separated by using a knife and mallet.

Once the sash has been removed, you can take off the sash stops and gain access to the pockets for weights. This is usually done via tiny holes at the bottom of each jamb. Recommended Web page is surrounded by an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inner workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to take off the weight of the old sash and replace it with new. Be sure to weigh the sash before you do this, as the old weights could be a different size than what you require. After the new weight is in place then tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley for the sash. Then attach 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 have a cord or chain connected to the weights that supports and keeps the sashes balanced within the jamb. As time passes, these cords can get damaged and render it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable will restore the ability to move and lower the sash and ensure it stays in place when it is opened.

The first step in replacing cords for sash is to locate and remove the access panels in the jambs. They are typically screwed or nailed into and must be removed. You might be able to employ a hammer and chisel for removing them, but it's always better to lay down dust sheets before starting 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 from their grooves. They are typically wedged into or nailed in, but they can be prised free which is why it's worth your time. If the sash remains in place, pry out the mortise and tenon joints using a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs that are on the components. The sash should move freely, however it might require some lubrication in order to feel less 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 cord/chain, and then attach it as described in Step 6 above. You can use a hammer, nails, or screws. However window repairs are less likely to cause damage.

If you haven't purchased a kit that replaces the old counterbalance system it's recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. window repairs near me 's not expensive to buy these from salvage shops for architectural purposes and they'll be easy to install once you've got the sash open. Depending on the size of your window, two or three sash weights could be needed to keep the sash in an open position.

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