Many feel that old, double-hung sash windows are a necessary feature on 'period' homes. They should never be replaced except as a final solution after everything else has been tried. They're worth saving for lots of reasons and they're not too difficult to restore. Here's how sash windows work, or, sometimes, don't work.
One astute old-home restorer in New England, USA, had an interesting observation. He said, speaking of people living in older homes, that most likely less than half of them have ever experienced a window in their house working as it was intended to do. Some of these things are a hundred years old plus. They probably worked well at one time and they can again. It's not that hard.
Sometimes, all it takes to fix an inoperable sash window is the removal of a zillion coats of paint. If the window has been there for decades (or centuries, even), there's a good chance it's taken a few coats of paint. Sometimes one right over the last, right over the last again.
More than likely, if it's an older sash window you're dealing with, it's not operating correctly because of a problem with the weights and ropes (or chains) that are used as a counter-balance to the window's movement. These weights are usually hidden from view, encased within the window frame itself. Access is made through a cover, usually made of metal, which is embedded in the surface of the frame.
It's natural for the chains or ropes holding up the counter-weights to wear out after long decades of use. You may want to hire someone to do this job. If you get someone who does this kind of restoration as his/her main line of business, they should be able to fix you up pretty fast.
Here's the best advice on old double-hung sash windows. Repair rather than replace. The windows have already lasted a good long time and they can last that long again if given proper restorative maintenance. Do you think modern replacement windows could stand that test of time? It's doubtful. And new windows just don't look right on an old house!
Here's just one more tip. If you're going to hire someone to repair or restore your windows, hire someone who does that kind of work exclusively. You want someone who's part finish-carpenter, part artist and part decorator. You want a specialist in old window restoration. He'll know just how sash windows work or, at least how they're supposed to work. And he'll have them working like that again, too. Find yourself a good restoration guy. They're out there.
One astute old-home restorer in New England, USA, had an interesting observation. He said, speaking of people living in older homes, that most likely less than half of them have ever experienced a window in their house working as it was intended to do. Some of these things are a hundred years old plus. They probably worked well at one time and they can again. It's not that hard.
Sometimes, all it takes to fix an inoperable sash window is the removal of a zillion coats of paint. If the window has been there for decades (or centuries, even), there's a good chance it's taken a few coats of paint. Sometimes one right over the last, right over the last again.
More than likely, if it's an older sash window you're dealing with, it's not operating correctly because of a problem with the weights and ropes (or chains) that are used as a counter-balance to the window's movement. These weights are usually hidden from view, encased within the window frame itself. Access is made through a cover, usually made of metal, which is embedded in the surface of the frame.
It's natural for the chains or ropes holding up the counter-weights to wear out after long decades of use. You may want to hire someone to do this job. If you get someone who does this kind of restoration as his/her main line of business, they should be able to fix you up pretty fast.
Here's the best advice on old double-hung sash windows. Repair rather than replace. The windows have already lasted a good long time and they can last that long again if given proper restorative maintenance. Do you think modern replacement windows could stand that test of time? It's doubtful. And new windows just don't look right on an old house!
Here's just one more tip. If you're going to hire someone to repair or restore your windows, hire someone who does that kind of work exclusively. You want someone who's part finish-carpenter, part artist and part decorator. You want a specialist in old window restoration. He'll know just how sash windows work or, at least how they're supposed to work. And he'll have them working like that again, too. Find yourself a good restoration guy. They're out there.
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Learn everything you need to know about easy ways to repair your windows at a sash window workshop today! Discover easy ways you can easily increase the value of your home when you have sash window repairs done as soon as they are needed.
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