Window Sash Repairs

Check the windows sashes regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. By catching problems before they become serious, you can save money on future repairs.

The sash is an inside frame that can move vertically up and down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to carry out a few simple repairs to the sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes can give an elegant look to your home. They are also durable and last for a long time if they are properly maintained. However, they can become damaged or degraded over time because of exposure to the elements and wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original condition and maintain their appearance longer than replacement windows.

The first step for repair sash window damage is to fix weather stripping, which is found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if it's worn or loose. To fix it, begin by finding your window brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched in the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacer between panes). Then, remove the sash and mark its width and height, so you can find replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, you can remove the sash from the holder and place it on a flat surface to allow you to see all four sides. If the sash is double glazing repair Weybridge-hung, you'll also need to take off the weights and their ropes which should have slipped into the pocket of 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 take it off by hand or using a putty knife.

After the sash is cleaned, you can replace parting stops. These are long pieces that split 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 parting stops and cutting them to the desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using a putty tool, and allow it to dry for at least a day. Once it's fully cured, apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This coating will protect the putty and give your sash a fresh appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports window sashes may wear out over time and use. This could result in the window or door that is difficult to open or close. It's important to know that replacing and fixing this hardware is usually simple and inexpensive. If you're having trouble opening a sash, spray some lubricant into the jamb channel. Then slide the sash open to see if that fixes the issue. If the problem persists it's likely to be due to the sash's balance. You will need to remove the window sash to access the hardware.

Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut with very little effort, but this is difficult when the weights wear out or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly coated. This issue can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as insufficient maintenance or the wrong weight rating for the specific window sash.

If the hinge arms of a window begin to sag, this can cause the sash to slide and eventually land on the frame in the corner that's opposite the hinge arm (Photo 1). To fix the problem make sure the sash is centered in the frame opening, and then remove it. If the sash is fixed to the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Next, install the new sash (Photo 3).

Old windows, particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close because of sagging hinges and a general lack of energy efficiency. Many times just a few easy fixes can help these windows function smoothly once more and help homeowners save money on energy costs.

To complete these repairs to the sash, it's important to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will assist you in getting the channel back on the correct position after you've finished. Remove the sash and take out all the hardware including the parting beads, cords, and chains that keep the sash in place. A hot gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting will soften any hardened glue. 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 reduce energy costs. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders that are enclosed in a hidden cavity and linked to the moveable sash by a rope. They function as counterbalances, allowing you to open and close the window without requiring mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often ignored or discarded by homeowners and turned into scrap when they fail; therefore you might need to search for replacements.

A sash weight that has fallen out of the cavity is difficult to retrieve and you'll need to find a replacement that fits properly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length of sashcord and some sashpulleys to tie the weights you are replacing to the cord.

Older wood windows are joined by mortise and tenon joints. The wood pegs that hold the parts together can be removed using pin punches and hammers. The majority of them have large diameters on one side and a smaller size 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 a mallet.

Once the sash is freed and removed, you can take off the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. Usually, this is done through an opening at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is surrounded by a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inside workings.

Once the sash is stopped and the access panel is removed, you can take off the weight that was previously installed and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you do this, as the old weights could be a different size than what is needed. Once the new weight has been installed, run the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, nail the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches protruding at the end of the string to allow for future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most Double glazing ramsgate-hung windows of the past have a cord or chain attached to the weights that keeps the sashes in balance within the jamb. Over time, these chains can get damaged and make it impossible to raise windows. A new sash cable will restore the ability to raise and lower the sash, and keep it in place when it is opened.

The first step in replacing sash cords is to locate and Double Glazing Ramsgate remove the access panels within the jambs. They are typically fixed or screwed in and will need to be removed or repositioned. It may be possible to take them out using the hammer or chisel but it is always best to lay out dust sheets before starting any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can begin working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pry the narrow parting beads from their grooves. They are typically wedged into or nailed but can be snipped out which is why it's worth your time here. If the sash is still in place, pry the mortise-and-tenon joints out with a screwdriver or hammer and then remove each wood peg. The sash should be able to move around freely now, however it may require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.

With the sash open With the sash in an open position, measure the sash chain or cord to extend from the pulley at the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord or chain, and then secure it in the previous step. You can use a hammer and nail or screws, but nails are less likely 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 purchased them at architectural salvage stores. Based on the size of your window, two or three sash weights may be needed to keep it in an open position.