Window Sash Repairs 101: This Is The Ultimate Guide For Beginners
Window Sash Repairs
Regularly inspect the window sashes for any damage, mildew and mold. If you catch these issues early you can save money on future repairs.
The sash is the internal frame that is vertically moved either up or down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to make several simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wooden window sashes can add a classic look to your home. They are also durable and last for a long time provided they are properly maintained. However, they can be damaged or degrade in time due to exposure to elements and normal wear and wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows back to their original condition and maintain their beauty much longer than replacement windows.
Weather stripping is the first aspect to consider when you are repairing windows that have sash. It's on both the frame and the sash. It could cause drafts if worn out or loose. Begin by identifying the window's brand and the date of manufacture for the glass (etched on the glass's corners or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, take the sash off and mark its width and height so that you can locate the appropriate weather stripping replacement to match.
Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface so that you can reach all four sides. If your sash has been double-hung, remove the weights using their ropes that should have fallen into the pocket in the jamb lining. Once you've removed the sash, use a utility knife to cut off the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners, and then take it off by hand or using a putty blade.
After the sash is cleared, you can install the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that separate the two sashes. Pam likes to replace these with standard 1/2-inch-by - 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard, but you can also replace them with scrap wood.
After removing the parting stops and trimming them to your desired length, apply a thin layer of glazing compound to the bottom of the sash. Smooth out the compound using your putty knife and let it dry for at least a few days. When it's completely dried and dried, apply a second coat of acrylic latex paint. This will protect the putty and give your sash a new appearance.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that supports windows sashes can become worn out with time and use. This can result in a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that fixing and replacing this hardware is generally quite simple and inexpensive. If you're having difficulty opening a sash spray some oil into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash out to see if this resolves the issue. If not, the problem is likely with the sash balance and you'll need to remove the sash to gain access to the hardware.
Ideally, window sashes should move open and shut with very little effort, but this is a difficult task when the weights are worn or if the sash meeting rail isn't properly coated. This issue could be caused by a number of things, such as the lack of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating for the particular window sash.
If the hinges on the window begin to move, this can cause the sash drag and eventually hit against the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To address this problem, first ensure that the sash is firmly seated in the frame's opening and then take it out of the window. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll have to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, you can install the new sash (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 and close. In most instances, a few minor repairs can turn these windows into smooth operators again and save the homeowner money on energy costs.
It is important to have the tools you need before you begin. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) with pencil. This will make it easier to position the channel in the correct place when you are 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 hardened putty using the help of a heat gun set at medium and equipped with a shield to block the nozzle. Take off the old sash and keep it in a bag with a label.
Sash Weights
No matter if your window sash repair needs are to replace a damaged cord or to ensure that the windows are functional and functional, replacing worn-out weights for sash will improve its operation and help reduce energy costs. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a hidden cavity and connected to the movable the sash with rope. They function as counterbalances, allowing you to open and close the window without having to use mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often neglected or ignored by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently, you may need to find replacements.
It's difficult to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require a new piece string, a length of sashcord and a few sashpulleys to secure the weights you are replacing to the cord.
Older wood windows are joined using mortise and tenon joints. Hammers and pins can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the parts together. window repairs of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller one on the other side, so it is important to remove the smaller-diameter sides first. Sashes that were made later in the century made use of glue instead of pegs and can be separated by cutting through the glue line using an instrument, and then tapping the mortised section loose with a mallet.
After the sash is released, you can remove sash stops and access the weight pockets. Usually this is accomplished by drilling an opening in the bottom of each jamb. This hole is covered with an unfinished wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inner workings.
Once you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you will be able to take off the weight from the sash and replace it with the new. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you begin, as the old weights could be different sizes than what you require. Once the new weight is in place you can tie a string around it and thread it through the pulley for the sash. Then attach the string to the frame, leaving a few inches of string protruding from the head for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
Most old double-hung windows have a cord or chain 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 cable will give you the ability to raise and lower the sash and keep it in place when opened.
The first step in replacing cords for sash is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. These are usually attached by nails or screws and need to be removed. It is possible to take them out using the hammer or chisel but it is always best to lay out dust sheets before starting any work.
Once the access panel is removed, you can start working on the sash. Use a flat bar or chisel to pull the small parting beads out of their grooves. It is important to be patient, as these are often placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash is still in place, remove the mortise and the tenon joints by using a hammer and pin punch or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs on the components. The sash should be able to move freely now, but it might require some lubrication in order to feel less stiff.
With the sash open, measure enough sash cord/chain to extend from the pulley in the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and then fix it using the previous step. You can either employ a hammer, nail or screws, but nails are less likely to cause damage.
It's best to leave the original weights in place unless you have purchased a kit to replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. They're not costly and easy to install if you purchase them at architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size of your window, two or three sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.