10 Ways To Build Your Window Sash Repairs Empire

Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. If you catch these issues early you will save money on future repairs.

The sash is an internal frame that moves vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will show you how to do simple sash repairs.

Weather Stripping

Wood window sashes give an elegant look to your home and, when properly maintained, they will last for many years. However, they can get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure or normal wear and tear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can restore your windows back to their original condition and keep them looking great for much longer than newer replacement windows.

The first step for repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping. It's found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if worn out or loose. Start by identifying the window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the glass's corner or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash, and mark its width and height so you can find a replacement weather stripping that matches.

Then, remove the sash and place it on a work surface so you can access all four sides. If your sash is double glazing windows repair-hung, you'll need to take off the weights and the ropes that go with them which should have slipped into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. Once you've taken the sash off using a utility knife, you can use it to cut off the old weather stripping at the corners, then remove it manually or using a putty knife.

After the sash has been cleared, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces wood that are used to 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 use a piece of scrap wood.

After removing the stopper and cutting it to length after which, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound with your putty knife and let it dry for at least a day. Once it's fully cured, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This will help protect the putty, and give your sash an updated appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that holds the windows sashes can become worn out over time and with use. This can result in a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. The good thing is that fixing and replacing this hardware is typically quite simple and inexpensive. If a sash becomes difficult to operate you can try spraying some oil into the jamb channel then slide it open to see if that resolves the issue. If not, the issue is likely to be with the balance of the sash and you'll need to take out the sash to access this hardware.

Ideally, window sashes should move open and shut without effort, however, this can be a difficult task when the weights wear out or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly coated. This could be caused by a variety of factors that include a lack of maintenance and an unmatched weight rating.

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

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

In order to make these repairs to sash it is essential to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame with pencil (Photo 1). This will allow you to put the channel in the correct location after you've completed. Remove the sash and take out all the hardware including the parting beads cords, chains, and cords that help to hold the sash. A hot gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any putty that has been hardened. Remove the old sash and place it in a labelled bag.

Sash Weights

Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or just to keep your windows functioning and functional, replacing worn-out weights on sash can improve sash operation and help reduce energy costs. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed inside a hidden compartment and connected to the movable sash by a rope. They function as counterbalances, allowing you to open and close the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. The sash-weights are typically ignored or discarded by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently you might need to search for replacements.

A sash weight that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve, so you will want to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also require a new piece string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Older windows made of wood are joined with mortise and tenon joints. Pin punch and hammer can be used to remove the wood pegs that hold the parts together. The majority of them are large on one side, but smaller on the other. It is important to remove first the smaller diameter sides. Sashes made later in the century utilized glue instead of pegs. They can be separated by cutting through the glue line using a knife, then tapping the mortised area loose using a mallet.

After the sash has been removed and removed, you can take off the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. This is usually done through a small hole at the bottom of every jamb. The hole is then covered with the wooden panel which can be removed to reveal the interior workings.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel is removed, you can remove the weight you used and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash before you do this, as the old weights may be a different size than what is needed. Once the new weight is installed then tie a string to it and then thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, you can nail the string to the boxed frame, leaving a few inches of string protruding from the head for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double-hung windows of the past come with a chain or cord connected to the weights that supports and keeps the sashes level in the jamb. As time passes, these cords may break, making it impossible 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.

To replace sash cords the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. They are typically attached by nails or screws and need to be removed. It may be possible to remove them with the hammer or chisel but it is always better to lay out 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 known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with a chisel or flat bar. It is essential to take your time, as these are often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and-tenon joints out with a screwdriver or hammer and then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able move around freely now, however it may require some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.

With the sash in an open position, measure enough sash cord/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 fix it as described in the previous step. You can either use a hammer and screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.

It is recommended to keep the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you have purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance. It's not too expensive to purchase them from architectural salvage stores and they'll be easy to install once you've got the sash unlocked. Depending on the size and shape of your window, you may require one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.