Notes

15 Startling Facts About Window Sash Repairs You've Never Seen
Window Sash Repairs

Regularly inspect the window sashes for damage, mildew, and mold. You can save the cost of repairs in the future by catching these issues in the early stages, before they get out of hand.


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

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add the classic look to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for years. However, they may become damaged or degrade over time due to exposure to the elements and wear and wear and tear. Thankfully, sash repair experts can restore your windows to their original condition and keep them looking fantastic for a longer period of time than replacement windows.

The first step to repair sash windows is to address weather stripping, which is found on both the sash and frame. If it's damaged or worn out, it could cause drafts and other problems. Begin by identifying the window brand and the manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its height and width, so you can find replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, remove the sash and place it on a work surface to allow access to all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll also need to remove the weights as well as their ropes which should have slipped into the pocket of the jamb liner. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, you can remove the weather stripping from the old sash by hand or using a putty blade.

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

After removing the stopper for the parting and trimming it to length after which, apply a thin layer of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty tool, and let it dry for at least a day. When the putty is fully dried, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic latex. This will protect the putty, and give your sash a modern appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes prone to wearing out from time and usage, and the result can be a window or door that can't be opened or closed easily. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is usually very simple and cost-effective. If you're having trouble opening the sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash up and open to see if this resolves the problem. If not, the problem is likely to be with the balance of the sash and you'll need to remove the sash in order to access this hardware.

Window sashes should open and close without much effort. However, this may be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash meeting rail is not properly covered with. This problem can be caused by a number of things, such as lack of maintenance or by an incorrect weight rating for the particular sash.

If the hinge arms of a window begin to sag, this can cause the sash to slide and eventually hit the frame in the corner that's directly opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To remedy the issue, make sure that the sash is centered in the frame's opening and remove it. If the sash is screwed onto the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (Photo 3).

Because of sagging hinges and a general lack in energy efficiency, windows that are old, especially those in older homes, may be difficult to open and close. In most cases, a few simple repairs can transform these windows into smooth operation again and save the homeowner money on energy bills.

In order to make these repairs to sash, it's important to have all the necessary tools in place before you begin. Begin by marking the position of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will allow you 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 fitted with a nozzle shield. Take off the old sash and put it in a bag with a label.

Sash Weights

No matter if your window sash repair needs are to replace a damaged cord or just to keep the windows functional and functional, replacing worn-out weights for sash will improve its operation and cut down on energy costs. Sash weights are made of heavy iron or lead cylinders that are enclosed in a hidden cavity and attached by ropes to the moveable window sash. These weights function as counterbalances, which allows you to open and close the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights are usually neglected or not used by homeowners.

It is difficult to recover a sash-weight that 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 sash cord, and a few sash pulleys that will tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join old wood windows. window repairs holding the components together can be removed using a pin punch and hammer. The majority of them have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller one on the other side, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Later sashes utilized glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife and mallet.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove the sash stops and access the weight pockets. This is usually done via a small hole in the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

Once you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to take off the old sash weight and replace it with new. First, weigh the sash because the weights you have may not be the correct size. Once the new weight has been installed, you can thread a string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then attach the string to the frame, but only leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

The majority of double-hung windows with a history include a chain or cord attached to the weights that supports and keeps the sashes level in the jamb. Over time, these cords may become damaged and render it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cord will give you the ability to move the sash up and down and will keep it in its place when it is opened.

The first step in replacing cords for sash is to locate and remove the access panels within the jambs. They are typically nailed or screwed in and must be removed or moved. You may be able to employ a hammer and chisel for removing them however, it is always best to lay down dust sheets prior to beginning any work.

After removing the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Take the narrow beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with flat bar or chisel. It is important to be patient as they're often placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and tenon joints with a screwdriver or hammer and then take out each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely, however it may need some lubrication to feel less stiff.

With the sash open Take a measurement of the sash chain to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot in the bottom. Cut the cord or chain, and then fix it using Step 6 above. You can use nail, hammer or screws. However, nails are less likely to cause damage.

If you don't have a kit that replaces the counterbalance system that was in place before, it's recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not expensive to buy them from a salvage store and they'll be easy to install once you've got the sash opened. Depending on the dimensions and shape of your window, you may require one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.

My Website: https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/edgware-windowrepair/