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Find Out What Window Sash Repairs The Celebs Are Using
Window Sash Repairs

Window sashes need to be checked regularly for mold, mildew and damage. You can avoid the cost of repairs in the future by catching the issues in the early stages, before they get out of hand.

The sash is the interior frame that is vertically moved either up or down in windows that open. This article will show you how to perform several simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes add a classic aesthetic to your home. If properly maintained, can last for a long time. They can, however, get damaged or deteriorated over time, due to exposure and normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows to their original condition and maintain their appearance for much longer than newer replacement windows.

The first step to repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping. It's found on both the sash and frame. If it's worn or loose, out, it can lead to 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). Remove the sash and mark its size and width so that you can get replacement weather stripping that matches.

Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface so you can access all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll have to remove the weights and the ropes that go with them which should have slipped into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. 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.

After the sash is cleaned, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that divide the 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 scrap wood.

After removing the stopper and cutting it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty tool, and let it dry for at least one day. When the putty is fully cured, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic. This coating will protect the putty and give your sash a new appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes prone to wearing out from the wear and tear of use and the result could be a window or door that isn't able to open or close easily. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is usually quite simple and inexpensive. If a sash becomes difficult to operate you can try spraying some oil into the jamb channel then open it to see if that fixes the problem. If not, the problem is likely to be with the sash balance and you'll need to remove the sash to access this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should swing open and closed without effort, but this is a difficult task when the weights are worn or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly glazed. This issue can be caused by a variety of things, such as the lack of maintenance or an incorrect weight rating for a particular sash.

If the hinge arms of a window are starting to lose their elasticity, this could cause the sash's to drag and eventually hit the frame in the corner in the opposite direction of the hinge arm (Photo 1). To resolve this issue, first make sure the sash is squarely inserted into the opening of the frame and then take it out of the window. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to loosen the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Due to hinges that are sagging, and a general lack of energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older homes, may be difficult to open or close. In many cases it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can allow these windows to operate smoothly again and save homeowners money on their energy bills.


In order to make these sash repairs, it's important to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Begin by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with a pencil (Photo 1). window repair near me will help you get the channel back in place correctly when you're finished. Take the sash off and then remove all hardware, including the parting beads, cords, and chains that keep the sash in place. Soften any putty that has been hardened with a heat gun set to medium and equipped with a shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and put it in a bag labeled.

Sash Weights

Sash weights are able to be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and decrease energy costs. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders enclosed in a concealed cavity and linked to the moveable window sash using rope. These weights provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often neglected or ignored by homeowners, and are turned into scrap when they fail; therefore you may have to find replacements.

It is difficult to recover the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require a new piece of string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Older wood windows are joined with mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs holding the components together can be removed by pin punches and hammers. The majority of them are large on one side and smaller on the other. It is important to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Sashes that were made later in the century used glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting the glue line using the help of a knife, and then tapping the mortised section loose using mallets.

After the sash has been removed then you can take out the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. Usually this is accomplished by drilling a hole near the bottom of each jamb. This hole is then covered by a wooden access panel that can be cut off so that you can see the inner workings 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 before you begin, as the old weights may be a different size than what is needed. Once the new weight is installed, you can thread the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then attach the string to the boxed frame, but leave a few inches of string hanging from the head to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

In the majority of old double-hung windows, a chain or cord is attached to the weights. This keeps the sashes within the jamb level. Over time, these cords could break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cord can restore the ability to move the sash upwards and downwards and hold it in place when opened.

The first step in replacing sash cords is to locate and remove the access panels within the jambs. They are usually attached by nails or screws and must be removed. It may be possible to take them out using a hammer or chisel, however, it is best to lay out dust sheets before beginning any work.

After you have removed the access panel, you are able to begin working on the sash. Utilize a flat bar, or chisel to pull the small partsing beads out of their grooves. They are usually wedged in or nailed, but they can be prised free which is why it's worth your time. If the sash remains in place, break the mortise and tenon joints free using a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able move freely now, but it may require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.

Determine the length of sash cord/chain needed to reach the sash slot at the bottom, and the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the cord/chain and then attach it in Step 6 above. You can employ a hammer, screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

Unless you've bought a kit that replaces the old counterbalance system it's best to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not expensive to buy them from a salvage store and they will be easy to install once you've got the sash open. Depending on the size of your window, one or two sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.

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