5 Window Sash Repairs Projects For Every Budget

Window Sash Repairs
Window sashes must be inspected regularly for signs of mold, mildew, and damage. By catching problems before they become serious, you can save money on future repairs.
The sash is an interior frame that is vertically moved either up or down in windows that are open. This article will show you how to do simple sash repairs.
Weather Stripping
Wooden window sashes can add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also sturdy and last for a long time when they are maintained properly. They can, however, get damaged or deteriorated over time due to exposure and normal wear. Fortunately, sash repair specialists can bring your windows back to their original condition and maintain their appearance for a longer period of time than replacement windows.
The first step for repair sash windows is to address weather stripping. It's found on both the sash and frame. It can cause drafts if it's damaged or is loose. Start by identifying the window's brand and the glass manufacturer's date (etched on the corner of the glass or on the aluminum spacers between panes). Then, take the sash off and mark its width and height, so you can find replacement weather stripping to match.
Then, remove the sash and set it on a surface so you can access all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, you must remove the weights using their ropes that should fall into the pocket in the jamb lining. After you have removed the sash using the utility knife, remove the old weather stripping by hand or with a putty knife.
After the sash has been cleared, you can replace the parting stops. These are long pieces of wood that are used to separate the two sashes. Pam likes to replace these with standard 1/2-inch-by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. However, you could also use scrap wood.
After removing the parting stop 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 tool and let it dry for at least a day. Once it's fully cured then apply a top coat of acrylic latex paint. This coating will protect the putty and give your sash a new look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that holds the window sashes may wear out with time and use. This could result in a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is generally quite simple and inexpensive. If you are having trouble opening the sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash up and open to see if this resolves the problem. If the issue continues it's most likely that the sash balance is off. You'll need to take off the window sash in order to get access to this part of the hardware.
Ideally, window sashes must move open and shut without effort, however, this can be a difficult task when the weights wear out or if the sash that joins rail isn't properly glazed. This issue can be due to a variety of factors, including an absence of maintenance or a mismatched weight rating.
If the hinges on windows begin to slide, this could cause the sash to drag and eventually hit against the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To resolve this issue, first make sure the sash fits squarely in the frame's opening and then take it out of the window. If the sash is secured to the hinge arm, you'll need 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 in energy efficiency, windows that are old especially in older homes, can be difficult to open and close. In most cases, a few simple repairs can turn these windows into smooth operators for the first time and save the homeowner money on energy costs.
To make these sash repairs it is essential to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Start by marking the location of the hinge channel on the frame using pencil (Photo 1). This will help you to place the channel in the right location after you've completed. Remove the sash and take off the hardware including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that secure it. Heat gun with nozzle shield and a medium setting can soften any hardened putty. Remove the old sash, and keep it in a labeled bag.
Sash Weights
No matter if your window sash repair needs are to replace a damaged cord or simply to keep the windows functional, replacing worn out weights for sash will improve its operation and cut down on energy consumption. Sash weights are hefty lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and attached to the movable the sash with rope. These weights provide counterbalance, allowing the window to be closed and opened without the use of electrical or mechanical devices. The sash-weights are typically ignored or discarded by homeowners, and are turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently you may have to find replacements.
It is difficult to recover the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that fits properly. You will also need a new piece of string, a length of sash cord and some sash pulleys that will tie the new sash weights onto the sash cord.
Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. Hammers and pins can be used to remove the wood pegs holding the parts together. The majority of these pegs have a large diameter on one side and a smaller diameter on the other side, so it is essential to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes made use of glue instead of pins. They can be separated by using a knife or mallets.
Once the sash has been released, you can remove the sash stops and gain access to the pockets for weights. This is usually done through an opening at the bottom of each jamb. The hole is then covered with an access panel of wood that can be ripped off to let you observe the inner workings of the frame.
After the sash has been stopped and the access panel is removed, you are able to remove the old weight and replace it. Make sure you weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the weights that were previously used may be different in size from the one you need. Once the new weight is in place, tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley of the sash. Then, you can nail the string to the frame, but leave a few inches of string sticking out from the head for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
Most old double-hung windows include a chain or cord attached to the weights that keeps the sashes in balance in the jamb. As time passes, these cords may break, making it impossible to raise the window. A new sash cord will give you the ability to move the sash up and down and will keep it in its position when it is opened.
window repair near me to replace sash cords is to locate and remove the access panels in the jambs. They are typically fixed or screwed in and will require to be removed or repositioned. You might be able to use a hammer or chisel to prise them off however, it is always best to lay down dust sheets before commencing any work.
After removing the access panel, 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. These are often wedged in or nailed in, but they can be prised free, so it's worth taking your time. If the sash remains 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 to move around freely now, however it may require some lubrication to feel less stiff.
Determine the length of sash cord/chain required to reach the sash slot on the bottom, and the pulley located at the top of the jamb. Cut the chain or cord and attach it as described in the step 6 above. You can employ a hammer and screws or nails, but nails are less likely to cause damage.
Unless you've bought an upgrade kit to replace the old counterbalance system, it is recommended to keep the original balancing weights in place. It's not expensive to buy them from a salvage store and they'll be simple to install once you've got the sash unlocked. Based on the size of your window, two or three sash weights might be required to keep it in an open position.