Tips For Sash Window Repair
If your windows in sash are creaking or leaky, they require repair. Draughts, rotting woods, misaligned rails and sashweights are all factors that require attention.
Pam first covers each pane with a layer glazing compound. She then secures the glass using glaziers' points rather than pins to avoid breakage.
Weather Stripping
The weather stripping is a thin piece of material that seals the edges of windows and doors when they're closed, preventing out the outside air and the stuff it contains. It stops drafts from blowing through the gaps, making your home too cold or let noise from outside into. You can buy ready-to-use materials in various sizes or cut it to fit the window sashes.
For single-hung windows apply the strip between the meeting rail and sash, and between the lower and upper sashes. Install the same strips along the frame side to stop rattle.
Double-hung windows require two sets of weather strips one on each side. It is also possible to install strips inside the frame, near the bottom. The strips prevent the window from snapping shut, and they also stop dust and insects from blowing into the gap between the jamb and the sash.
Before putting in the weatherstripping, clean the sash frame with mild soap and warm water. Dry it using a soft cloth. Remove any paint that is old and caulk around the inside stops with an utility knife. Use a putty blade to protect the frame and carefully pry the stops apart. Replace the weather stripping.
The new weather stripping should be flexible enough to allow the sash to move freely, but firm enough to remain in position when the sash is closed. Adhesive-backed foam tape is a popular option. It's easy to apply and is available in various thicknesses to meet different requirements. Door sweeps are available in various sizes and types, and can be used on all kinds of windows and doors.
Examine the metal tabs on the new sash with the tabs on your old sash before you install it. If the tabs have a different shape, they won't fit into the the window frame correctly, and you'll have remove the sash and start from scratch. Individual sash replacements don't cost a lot and a complete window replacement won't be a huge expense.
Sash Cords
Begin by removing the outer separation bead, which is the thin strips of wood that separate the inner and outer frame. It is possible that they are nailed in place with a hammer, but a nail set should suffice. You'll need to lay down an tarp since sash window cleaning is messy. You may also disturb the paint or decaying wood in older homes. Wear a mask as dust can contain lead.
Then remove the upper sash as well as its cords. If you are not replacing the cords, cut them off and tie them in knots to stop them from slipping through the holes. If you're installing new ones, first remove the nail that connects each cord to the sash. Then take out the nails that secure each of the cords to the sash (the nails are called"glazier's points"). If the pockets are on the other side of the frame, you can take them out using the help of a nail set or Crowbar. You'll likely need to remove some of the old sash cord, too.
You can remove the outer sash after the pockets are open. You'll be able to see the channels through which the sash cords pass through on each side. If you're installing new sash cords, choose cotton ones. Cotton ropes last longer than synthetic cords, that stretch and sag. It is important to ensure that you have the right amount of weight for each sash. You can weigh them on an ordinary kitchen scale to be certain, but the weights should total approximately half the size of the sash.
If the tilt pin at the bottom of the lower sash still in place, reset it. You'll need to lift your sash a bit to do this, so take care not to let it fall. Relock the pin. Then, insert the new sash balance (the tube that holds the weights), and you're done! (Don't forget to check and relock the tilt pin that is on the upper sash.)
Parting Beads
The parting beads (vertical strips of wood that hold the lower sash) and staff bead are an integral part of a sash window. They are used to hold the weights of the windows in sash and prevent water from entering and create an airtight seal. If they're damaged or not in good condition, it can lead to excessive rattle and draughts.
Use a sharp knife and slice across the joint of paint between the parting beads and frame of the window box. Gently prise the parting beads from their narrow grooves. They are designed to provide snug, but they could have been secured with nails and you should check for screws or nails. It is also necessary to take off any sash cords that were secured with screws and tied in knots to stop them from falling when released.
After you have removed the parting bead, you can pull out the lower sash from both sides and remove the meeting bar (which overlaps with the bottom sash to create a double-hung sash). The meeting rail will then be removed from the frame, which allows you to gain access to the window panes.
You can clean the sash windows and re-attach any sash furniture/ironmongery, lubricate the pulley axles & test the operation of the window. If it's difficult to open or lower the window, then it's worth looking at alternative sash window balance systems that are discussed in a separate article.
Apply strips of draught and paint the sash window frames (with an oil-based primer that is of good quality). You can also sand the surface to make it smoother and then apply a multi-purpose mastic. Apply a small amount 'fronting putty' in the place where the glass rebates meet the internal sash upstand of the sash. Then, you can front it into the putty with a fillet to create an even edge. Finish just a few millimeters below the sightline. Replace the sash cables, tie any knots that need to be tied, and rehang the window. You may want to consider using white 6mm braided marine rope or cord as this will last much longer than the cheap cords that stretch over time. It will also help you close the sash windows, by reducing the distance between the frame and the window.
Glass
The majority of homeowners don't think about the mechanics of their windows. They're content when they work well and keep the air inside and outside air out. If sash windows develop problems however, it can be expensive to have them repaired or replaced entirely. There are a variety of alternatives to save money without the expense of a new windows.
You can replace the glass in your sash windows with similar designs that complement the style of your home. Another option is to install laminated glass, which can protect your family from broken glass fragments and reduce the transfer of UV Rays. Other options for glass include patterned or textured glass, which are ideal for privacy but still allow natural light into rooms. Draught-proof strips are also available to increase the efficiency of energy and reduce noise pollution.
Often, sash windows that are difficult to move upwards and downwards aren't simply stuck, but have gotten damaged over time. This could be due to an accumulation of moisture and a fluctuating humidity, which causes the wood to shrink and expand at different rates. Over time, this can cause the sash's sash to expand, causing it to become discolored and difficult to open and close.
The first thing to do is to make sure the frames of sash are in good condition. If there is lots of moisture, and the wood is decayed or sagging, it's going to require repair before anything else can be done. This is a very expensive task that should be left to a professional window builders.
Once the sash frame has been inspected and inspected, the next step is to replace the window repair pane of glass. The sash can be left in place to do this, but it's easier to remove it and work on the table. First, remove any glazing points as well as the putty that holds the glass in place. It is important to wear protective clothing during this process. The next step is to cut glass to size and install it in the frame with a glazing Hammer. It is essential to use the right tools to cut glass because of its toughness and that it is susceptible to shattering or cracking.