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A Comprehensive Guide To Window Sash Repairs From Beginning To End
Window Sash Repairs

Window sashes need to be inspected regularly for signs of mold, mildew, and damage. You can save future repair costs by catching the issues early, before they become out of control.

The sash is the interior framing that moves vertically up or down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to make several simple sash repairs.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes provide the classic look to your home. If properly maintained, they will last for many years. However, they may become damaged or deteriorate in time because of exposure to the elements and wear and wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original condition and maintain their beauty longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the most important issue to take care of when fixing windows with sash. It's on both the frame and the sash. If it's worn or loose, out, it could cause drafts and other issues. Start by identifying the brand of window and the manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corners or the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, remove the sash from its holder, and place it on a flat surface to allow you to see all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, remove the weights with their ropes that should be buried in the jamb lining. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to cut off the old weather stripping at the corners, and then remove it by hand or with a putty knife.

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

After removing the parting stops and trimming them to the desired length, 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 few days. When it's completely 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 susceptible to wear and tear from the wear and tear of use, and the result can be a door or window that won't open or close easily. It's good to know that replacing or fixing this hardware is usually easy and affordable. If you're having difficulty opening the sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, slide the sash open to see if it resolves the problem. If not, the problem is likely with the sash balance and you'll need to remove the sash in order to access this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should move open and shut with very little effort, however, this can be a difficult task when the weights are worn or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly coated. This issue can be due to many factors that include the lack of maintenance or an unmatched weight rating.

If the hinge arms on the window begin to move, this can cause the sash drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To address this issue, first make sure the sash fits squarely in the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If Highly recommended Site has been screwed onto the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general deficiency in energy efficiency, old windows especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and close. Many times, a few simple fixes can help these windows function smoothly once more and save homeowners money on energy bills.

In order to make these repairs to the sash it is important to have all the necessary tools in place before you begin. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will allow you to get the channel back on place correctly when you're finished. Remove the sash and then remove all hardware, including the beads for parting cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. A hot gun with nozzle shield and medium setting will soften any hardened putty. Take off the old sash and put it in a labelled bag.

Sash Weights


If your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or just to keep your windows functioning, replacing worn out weights on sash can improve sash operation and reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders enclosed inside a hidden compartment and linked to the moveable sash by rope. These weights provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be shut and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights tend to be left unnoticed or disabled by homeowners.

It's difficult to retrieve the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require an additional piece of string, a length the sash cord, as well as some sash pulleys that will tie the new sash weights to the sash cord.

Older wood windows are joined by mortise and tenon joints. Pin punch and hammer can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the components together. Most of them have large diameters on one side and a smaller one on the other side, so it is crucial to take out the smaller-diameter ones first. Sashes made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line with an instrument, and then tapping the mortised part loose using mallets.

After the sash is removed and removed, you can take off the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. Usually this is accomplished by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

When the sash has been shut off and the access panel is removed, you are able to remove the weight you used and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights could be different in size from what you require. After the new weight is installed, you can thread an appropriate length of string through the pulling mechanism. Then, attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches of space at the end of the string to allow future adjustments.

Sash Cords

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

The first step in replacing cords for sash is to locate and remove the access panels in the jambs. These are usually fixed or screwed in and will require to be removed or moved. You might be able to use a hammer and chisel to remove them but it's best to lay down dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

Once the access panel is removed, you can begin working on the sash. Make the small parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using the chisel or flat bar. These are often wedged in or nailed in, but they can be removed, so it's worth taking your time. If the sash is still in place, remove the mortise and tenon joints using pin punch and hammer or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs on each component. You should now be able to move the sash around freely, although it will probably need some 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 in the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the chain or cord and attach it in the previous step. You can either employ a hammer and nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have a kit that replaces the old counterbalance system, it is recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's cheap to purchase them from a salvage store and they'll be easy to install once you've got the sash opened. Depending on the size of your window one or two sash weights may be needed to keep the sash in an open position.

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