Window Sash Repairs

Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for any damage, mildew and mold. You can avoid future repair costs by catching the issues early before they get out of hand.

The sash is an internal frame that moves vertically up and 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 an elegant look to your home and, when properly maintained, they will last for many years. They can, however, become damaged or degraded with time due to exposure and normal wear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original condition and maintain their appearance longer than replacement windows.

Weather stripping is the first issue to take care of when fixing sash windows. It's on both the frame and the sash. It can cause drafts if it's damaged or is loose. Start by identifying the window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the glass's corner or the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its width and height to find the appropriate weather stripping replacement to match.

Then, you can remove the sash from the holder and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to see all four sides. If your sash was Double Glazing Repair St Albans-hung, take out the weights using their ropes that should be buried inside the jamb lining. Once you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to remove the old weather stripping at the corners, then remove it manually or using a putty blade.

Once the sash is clear, you can replace the parting stops. They are long pieces of wood that are used to separate the two sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trimming from the lumberyard. But, you can also use a scrap piece of 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 it out using your putty knife and let it dry for at least a day. Once the putty has fully cured and dried, you can apply an acrylic latex topcoat. This will protect the putty and give your sash a fresh appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports the window sashes may wear out over time and with use. This could lead to windows or double glazing repair St Albans doors that is difficult to open or close. It's good to know that replacing and repair of this hardware is typically easy and affordable. If you are having trouble opening a sash spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash out to see if it resolves the problem. If not, the problem is likely to be with the sash balance and you'll have to take off the sash in order to access this hardware.

Window sashes should open and close with little effort. However, this can be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash-to-rail connecting rail isn't glazed. This issue could be caused by a number of reasons, such as the lack of maintenance or the wrong weight rating for a particular window sash.

If the hinge arms on windows begin to slide, this could cause the sash to drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To fix this issue, first make sure the sash is firmly seated in the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash is fixed to the hinge arm, remove the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Install the new sash (Photo 3).

Windows that are old, especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and close, because of sagging hinges and an overall lack of energy efficiency. In most instances, a few minor repairs can turn these windows into smooth operators again and save the homeowner money on energy costs.

In order to make these repairs to the sash it is important to have all of the necessary tools in place before you begin. Begin by marking the position of the hinge channel on the frame using pencil (Photo 1). This will allow you to get the channel back in the correct position after you've finished. Remove the sash and remove the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the cords or chains which hold it in place. A hot gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any putty that has been hardened. Remove the old sash and store it in an labelled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be changed to improve the performance of your window sash, and also reduce the energy cost. Sash weights are composed of heavy lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed inside a concealed cavity, and attached by a rope to the movable window sash. They are counterbalancers that allows the window to be closed and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. If they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.

It's not easy to retrieve a sash-weight that has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one 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.

Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. Pin punch and hammer can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the components together. The majority of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller diameter on the other side, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife and mallets.

Once the sash has been released, you can remove sash stops and gain access to the weight pockets. This is usually done through an opening at the bottom of every jamb. This hole is covered by a wooden access panel that can be ripped off to let you view the inside of the frame.

After the sash has been stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to take off the old sash weight and replace it with the new. Weigh the sash first because the weights you have might not be the right size. After the new weight is installed, 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, but leave a few inches of string protruding from the head for future adjustment.

Sash Cords

In most old double glazing repairs Chesham-hung window the chain or cord is attached to the weights. This keeps the sashes within the jamb balanced. Over time, these chains can get damaged and make it difficult to raise windows. A new sash cable will restore the ability to move and lower the sash and keep it in position when opened.

The first step in replacing sash cords is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are usually nailed or screwed in and will need to be removed or moved. It may be possible to remove them using the 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. Take the narrow beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using flat bar or chisel. They are typically wedged into or nailed, but they can be snipped out and it's worth your time here. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise and tenon joints free with a hammer or screwdriver and then take out each wood peg. You should be able to move the sash back and forth freely, although it will probably need some lubrication if it feels stiff.

Measure the length of the sash chain or sash cord needed to reach the sash slot on the bottom of the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the chain or cord, and then fix it using Step 6 above. You can do this with nail, hammer or screws. However, nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.

It is best to keep the original weights in place unless you have purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance. They are not expensive and easy to install if you buy them from architectural salvage stores. Depending on the dimensions and shape of your window you may require one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.