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 these problems early, you can save money on repairs in the future.
The sash is an interior frame that is vertically moved up or down in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to do easy repairs to your sash.
Weather Stripping
Wood window sashes provide a classic aesthetic to your home. If properly maintained, they can last for many years. However, they can become damaged or degraded over time due to exposure to the elements and normal wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows back to their original condition and maintain their beauty longer than replacement windows.
Weather stripping is the most important aspect to consider when you are repairing windows that have sash. It's on both the frame and the sash. If it's worn or loose, out, it could cause drafts, as well as other issues. Start by identifying the brand of window and the manufacturer's date (etched on the glass's corners, or the aluminum spacers between panes). Remove the sash, and mark its size and width so that you can find a new weather stripping that is compatible with the original.
Then, remove the sash and set it on a work surface so that you can reach all four sides. If the sash is double-hung, you'll have to remove the weights as well as their accompanying ropes, which should have fallen into the intended pocket in the jamb liner. Once you've taken the sash off and the weights, use a utility knife to cut off the old weather stripping at the corners, then take it off by hand or using a putty blade.
Once the sash has been cleared, you can replace the parting stops. These are long pieces that divide 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 use a piece of scrap wood.
After removing the parting stop and cutting it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound over the bottom of the sash. Smooth it out using your putty knife, then 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 fresh appearance.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that supports window sashes is susceptible to wear and tear from age and use and the result could be a door or window that won't open or close easily. It's important to know that replacing and fixing this hardware is usually straightforward and cost-effective. If a sash becomes difficult to operate you can try spraying some grease into the jamb channel, and then slide it open to see if it resolves the issue. If the issue continues it's likely the sash balance. It is necessary to take off the window sash in order to access the hardware.
Sashes for windows should be able to be able to open and close with minimal effort. However, this can be difficult if weights are worn out or the sash-to rail connecting rail isn't glazed. This issue can be caused by a number of factors, including lack of maintenance or by an incorrect weight rating for a particular window sash.
If the hinge arms on a window begin to sag this could cause the sash to drag and eventually hit against the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To correct the issue, make sure that the sash is aligned in the frame opening, and then take it off. If the sash was screwed onto the hinge arm, take it off the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Next, install the new sash (Photo 3).
Windows that are old, especially in older homes, may be difficult to open and close, due to hinges that are sagging and a general inefficiency. In many cases it is a matter of making a few minor adjustments that can make these windows operate smoothly once more and help homeowners save money on their energy bills.
To complete these repairs to sash it is essential to have all of the necessary tools lined up before you begin. Mark the location of the hinge channel on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will help you get the channel back in position correctly after you've completed. Remove the sash and take off the hardware including the beads that separate (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with the help of a heat gun set at medium and fitted with a shield for the nozzle. Remove the old sash, and put it in a bag with a label.
Sash Weights
Sash weights can be replaced to improve the performance of your window sash and reduce the cost of energy. Sash weights are heavy, lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and linked to the moveable sash by a rope. These weights provide counterbalance that allows the window to be closed and opened without using mechanical or electrical devices. The sash weights are often neglected or ignored by homeowners and then turned into scrap when they fail. Consequently, window repair may need to search for replacements.
It's not easy to retrieve a sash-weight that has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that fits correctly. You will also require a new piece of string, a length sash cord and some sash pulleys to connect the new sash weights onto the sash cord.
Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join windows made of older wood. Pin punch and hammer can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the components together. Most of them have a large diameter on one side and a smaller diameter on the other, so it is important to remove the small-diameter sides first. Later sashes made use of glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife and mallet.
After the sash has been removed, you can remove 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 then covered with a wooden access panel that can be cut off to allow you to observe the inner workings of the frame.
Once the sash is stopped and the access panel has been removed, you can take off the weight you used and replace it. Be sure to weigh the sash prior to you do this, since the old weights could be different in size from the one you need. After the new weight has been installed, run the string through the sash pulling mechanism. Then, nail the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches protruding at the top of the string for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
Most old double-hung windows include a chain or cord attached to the weights that helps keep the sashes level in the jamb. Over time these cords can break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cable will restore the ability to raise and lower the sash, and ensure it stays in place when opened.
To replace sash cords, the first step is to remove the access panels from the jambs. These are usually nailed or screwed in and will require to be removed or repositioned. You could use a hammer and chisel for removing them but it's best to lay down dust sheets before commencing any work.
Once the access panel is removed, you can start working on the sash. Prise the narrow parting beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with flat bar or chisel. They are typically wedged into or nailed, but they can be removed and it's worth your time here. If the sash remains in place, remove the mortise and tenon joints with pin punch and hammer or screwdriver, then unhook the wood pegs that are on each component. The sash should move freely now, but it may need some lubrication to make it feel less stiff.
With the sash in an open position With the sash in an open position, measure the sash chain or cord to reach from the pulley on the top of the jamb to the sash slot at the bottom. Cut the cord or chain and secure it as in the previous step. You can use a hammer, nails or screws. However nails are less likely than screws to cause damage.
It's best to leave the original weights if you've purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance. They're not expensive and easy to install if you buy them at architectural salvage stores. Based on the size of your window, two or three sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.