Make sure to check the sashes of your windows regularly for damage, mildew, and mold. You can avoid future repair costs by catching these issues early on, before they become too much.
The sash is an inside frame that is able to move upwards and downwards in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to perform simple repairs to sash.
Weather Stripping
Wood window sashes give an elegant look to your home. If properly maintained, they will last for years. However, they can become damaged or degraded in time due to exposure to elements and wear and tear. Sash repair specialists can restore windows to their original condition and maintain their appearance longer than replacement windows.
The first step to repair sash windows is to address weather stripping. It's found on both the sash as well as the frame. It can cause drafts if damaged or is loose. To fix it, begin by determining the brand of your window 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 height and width to find the appropriate weather stripping replacement to match.
Then, take the sash from its holder, and place it on flat surfaces to allow you to access all four sides. If your sash is double-hung, you'll need to remove the weights and their ropes, which should have fallen into the pocket that was intended to be in the jamb liner. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to cut away the weather stripping that was formerly in place at the corners. Then, remove it manually or using a putty knife.
When the sash is clean, you can replace the parting stops. These are long pieces that separate 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 scrap wood.
After removing the stoppers for parting and cutting them to the desired length and thickness, apply a thin layer of glazing compound on the bottom of the sash. Smooth the compound using your putty tool and let it dry at least a day. When the putty is fully cured and dried, you can apply a topcoat of acrylic latex. This coating will protect the putty and give your sash a new look.
Sash Hardware
The hardware that supports window sashes susceptible to wear and tear from time and usage, and the result can be a door or window that can't be opened or closed easily. It's important to know that replacing and fixing this hardware is usually easy and affordable. If you're having trouble opening a sash, spray some grease into the jamb channel. Then, you can slide the sash out to see if that fixes the problem. If not, the issue is most likely due to the sash balance, and you'll have to take off the sash in order to access this hardware.
Ideally, window sashes must be able to open and close without effort, however, this can be a difficult task if the weights become worn or if the sash's meeting rail isn't properly coated. This could be caused by a variety of factors such as a lack of maintenance and a mismatched weight rating.
If the hinges on a window begin to sag this could cause the sash to drag, and then eventually to hit the frame at the opposite corner (Photo 1). To resolve this issue, first make sure the sash is squarely inserted into the frame's opening and then remove it from the window. If the sash is screwed onto the hinge arm, unbolt the hinge and replace it. (Photo 2). Next, install the new sash (Photo 3).
Due to sagging hinges, and a general lack of energy efficiency, old windows particularly those in older homes, can be difficult to open and close. In many cases just a few easy fixes can make these windows operate smoothly and save homeowners money on energy bills.
It is important to have the tools you require before you start. Mark the hinge channel location on the frame (Photo 1) with a pencil. This will make it easier to put the channel in the right place when you are finished. Take the sash off and then remove all hardware, including the beads for parting cords, chains, and cords that keep the sash in place. Heat gun with nozzle shield and medium setting will soften any hardened putty. Take off the old sash and put it in a labeled bag.
Sash Weights
Whether your window sash repairs are to replace a damaged cord or to keep your windows functioning by replacing worn out weights for sash will improve its operation and cut down on energy costs. Sash weights are heavy lead or iron cylinders, which are enclosed in a concealed cavity and attached to the movable window sash using a rope. These weights function as counterbalances and allow you to open and shut the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. When they fail, sashweights are usually ignored or disabled by homeowners.
It is difficult to recover the sash-weight that fell from the cavity, so you'll want to find one that is suitable for the. You will also require a fresh piece of string, a length sashcord and a few sashpulleys for tying the new weights to the cord.
Mortise and Tenon joints are used to join older wood windows. Hammers and pins can be used to take out the wood pegs holding the components together. Most of these pegs have an enormous diameter on one side and a smaller size on the other, which is why it is crucial to take out the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes utilized glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife and a mallet.
After the sash has been removed, you can remove the sash stop and gain access to the weight pocket. This is usually done via tiny holes at the bottom of every jamb. The hole is then covered with a wooden panel that can be removed to reveal the inner workings.
After you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to remove the weight of the old sash and replace it with the new. Weigh the sash first, as the weights you've got may not be the correct size. Once the new weight is in place, tie a string to it and thread it through the sash pulley. Then, you can attach the string to your boxed frame. Leave a few inches of space at the head of the string to allow for future adjustments.
Sash Cords
Most double-hung windows of the past include a chain or cord connected to the weights that helps keep the sashes level in the jamb. Over time, these cords could break, making it difficult to raise the window. A new sash cable can restore the ability to raise and lower the sash and keep it in place when opened.
The first step to replace sash cords is to locate and remove the access panels in the jambs. They are typically nailed or screwed in and will need to be removed or relocated. It may be possible to remove them with a hammer or chisel, but it is always better 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. Make the small parting beads (also called "tie rails") out of their grooves using a chisel or flat bar. It's important to take your time because they are usually placed in a wedge or nail. If the sash is still in place, break the mortise-and tenon joints using a hammer or screwdriver and then remove each wood peg. It should now be possible to move the sash back and forth without difficulty, though it might require oil if it feels stiff.
Measure the length of sash chain/sash cord needed to reach the sash slot at the bottom of the pulley on the top of the jamb. Cut the cord/chain and then fix it as described in the previous step. You can use either nail, hammer or screws. However nails are less likely to cause damage.
Unless you've bought an item that replaces the old counterbalance system it is recommended to keep the original weights for balancing in place. They're not costly and easy to install if you purchase them from architectural salvage stores. Depending on the size of your window one or two sash weights might be required to keep the sash in an open position.