Window Sash Repairs 101: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners Window Sash Repairs

Sashes for windows must be regularly checked for mold, mildew and other damage. You can save the cost of repairs in the future by catching the issues early on before they get out of hand.

The sash is an inside frame that moves up and down vertically in windows that are open. This article will teach you how to do a variety of simple repairs to sash.

Weather Stripping

Wooden window sashes are a great way to add an elegant appearance to your home. They are also sturdy and last for a long time if they are properly maintained. However, they can be damaged or degrade over time due to exposure to the elements and wear and tear. Sash repair experts can restore windows to their original state and maintain their appearance much longer than replacement windows.

The first step to sash window repairs is addressing weather stripping, which can be found on both the sash as well as the frame. It could cause drafts if worn or loose. Start by identifying the brand of window 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 height and width so that you can locate replacement weather stripping to match.

Then, take it off and place it on a table to allow access to all four sides. If your sash was double-hung, you must remove the weights with their ropes that should be buried within the jamb lining. After you've removed the sash and the weights, use a utility knife to remove the weather stripping from the corners. Then, remove it by hand or using a putty knife.

After the sash has been cleared, you can replace the stoppers that separate the two sashes. These are long pieces that divide the sashes. Pam prefers to use the standard 1/2-inch by 3/4-inch window trim from the lumberyard. But, you can also substitute a scrap piece of wood.


After removing window repair near me for the parting and trimming it to length, apply a thin coat of glazing compound over 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 appearance.

Sash Hardware

The hardware that supports the windows sashes can become worn out over time and use. This could lead to a door or a window that is difficult to open or close. The good news is that repairing and replacing this hardware is usually relatively easy and affordable. If a sash isn't easy to operate you can try spraying some lubrication into the jamb channel and then open it to see if it solves the issue. If not, the issue is likely with the sash balance and you'll have to take off the sash to access this hardware.

Window sashes should be able to open and close with minimal effort. However, this can be difficult if the weights are worn out or the sash-to-rail connecting rail isn't properly coated. This issue can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as lack of maintenance or by the wrong weight rating for the particular sash.

If the hinges on windows begin to slide, this can cause the sash drag, and then eventually to hit the frame in the opposite corner (Photo 1). To remedy the issue make sure the sash is aligned in the frame's opening and take it off. If the sash has been screwed to the hinge arm, you'll need to remove the hinge arm and replace it (Photo 2). Then, put in the new sash (Photo 3).

Windows that are old, especially in older houses, can be difficult to open and close, because of sagging hinges and an overall inefficiency. In most instances, a few minor repairs can transform these windows into smooth operators and save homeowners cash on energy costs.

In order to make these sash repairs, it's important to have all of the tools needed before you begin. Mark the hinge channel's location on the frame (Photo 1) using pencil. This will make it easier to put the channel in the right location after you've completed. Then, remove the sash and take off the hardware, including the parting beads (Photo 2) and the chains or cords that hold it in place. Soften any hardened putty with an electric heat gun set to medium and fitted with a nozzle shield. Remove the old sash, and keep it in a labeled bag.

Sash Weights

Sash weights can be changed to improve the performance of your window sash and decrease the energy cost. Sash weights consist of heavy iron or lead cylinders that are enclosed in a hidden cavity and connected by ropes to the moveable window sash. These weights function as counterbalances and allow you to open and close the window without the need for mechanical or electrical devices. If they fail, sashweights tend to be neglected or not used by homeowners.

It's difficult to retrieve an sash-weight which has fallen from the cavity, so you'll need to find one that fits properly. You will also require a new piece string, a length sashcord and some sashpulleys to tie the new weights to the cord.

Mortise and Tenon joints can be used to join old wood windows. Pin punch and hammer can be used to cut off the wood pegs that hold the components together. Most of these pegs have large diameters on one side and a smaller one on the other, which is why it is important to remove the smaller-diameter ones first. Later sashes used glue instead of pins. They can be cut by using a knife or mallet.

After the sash has been removed, you can remove the stopper on the sash and get access to the weight pocket. This is typically done by drilling an opening in the bottom of each jamb. This hole is then covered by an access panel of wood that can be ripped off so that you can observe the inner workings of the frame.

Once you have the sash stopped and the access panel removed, you'll be able to remove the old sash weight and replace it with the new. Weigh the sash first because the weights you've got may not be of the right size. Once the new weight is installed, tie a string to it and thread it through the pulley for the sash. Then, you can attach the string to the boxed frame. Leave a few inches at the top of the string to allow future adjustments.

Sash Cords

Most double-hung windows of the past come with a chain or cord attached to the weights which supports and keeps the sashes in balance in the jamb. Over time, these chains may become damaged and make it impossible to raise the windows. A new sash cable will give you the ability to raise and lower the sash and ensure it stays in place when it is opened.

The first step to replace sash cords is to locate and take out the access panels located in the jambs. They are typically screwed or nailed in and require removal. You might be able to use a hammer and chisel to remove them but it's best to lay down dust sheets before commencing any work.

After the access panel has been removed, you can start working on the sash. Make the small parting beads (also known as "tie rails") out of their grooves with a chisel or flat bar. It is essential to be patient as they're often wedged or nailed in place. If the sash is in place, break the mortise and the tenon joints by using pin punch and hammer or screwdriver, and then take out the wood pegs that are on each piece. It should now be possible to move the sash around without difficulty, though it might require lubrication if it feels stiff.

Determine the length of sash cord/chain required to reach the sash slot at the bottom of the pulley at the top of the jamb. Cut the cord/chain, and then secure it in Step 6 above. You can use either nail, hammer or screws. However nails are less likely to cause damage.

It is recommended to keep the weights that came with the original counterbalance unless you have purchased a kit that will replace the counterbalance that was previously installed. It's not expensive to buy them from a salvage store and they'll be simple to install once you have the sash unlocked. Depending on the size and shape of your window you might need to install one or two sashweights in order to keep the sash open.