How to Repair Stuck Sash Windows _ This Old House

# Restoring Old Single-Hung Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

## Introduction to Single-Hung Windows

Single-hung windows are a classic feature found in many older homes. Unlike double-hung windows, which allow both the top and bottom sashes to move independently, single-hung windows have only one operable sash—the bottom one. The top sash remains fixed. These windows often include locks at the meeting rail and sometimes additional security measures like steel dowels drilled through the front sash into the back sash.

## Identifying Issues with Single-Hung Windows

One common problem with old single-hung windows is being "painted shut." This occurs when layers of paint accumulate over time, causing the sashes to stick. Houses built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, necessitating careful handling during renovation.

## Preparing for the Restoration Task

While areas under six square feet don't require extensive safety measures, it's wise to take precautions:

- **Cover the floor** with plastic sheeting to protect against dust and debris.

- Equip a vacuum with a HEPA filter to minimize dust particles in the air.

- Work slowly to avoid creating excessive dust.

## Removing Paint Build-Up

To free the sash from its frame, you'll need to break the paint seal. Use a tool like a painter's five-in-one tool along:

1. **The sides**: Scrape down each side where the window stop meets the sash.

2. **The bottom**: Address where the window stool meets the sash.

3. **The meeting rail**: Remove paint where the two sashes meet.

Ensure thorough cleaning with a vacuum as you work to maintain a dust-free environment.

## Prying Open Windows Safely

Using a pry bar, gently insert it under the style (the horizontal part of the frame) and lift slowly. Avoid prying directly under the rail to prevent breaking glass or damaging joints.

## Removing Trim and Accessing Components

The stop bead—a trim piece securing the window—must be removed. Cut along the paint line and carefully pry out, being cautious not to break it. Once removed, the window sash can be pulled free from its frame.

## Locating and Replacing Window Weights

Behind a small door on the side of the sash are window weights, crucial for counterbalancing. Remove the screws holding this door, retrieve the weight, and repeat for the opposite side.

## Updating Sash Cords

Old, dried-out cords need replacing. Unfasten them from the pulley system by pushing them out from the dado (a groove in the sash). Attach new cords to the weights, ensuring they are properly tensioned.

## Securing Cords and Lubricating

- Screw the newly attached cords into the sash.

- Trim excess cord and tuck it securely.

- Apply a lubricant like machine oil to weather stripping for smoother operation.

## Reinstalling Window Stops

Finally, reinstall window stops:

1. Start with the top stop, aligning it evenly on the outside edge.

2. Gently press outwards in the middle and push in from below.

3. Ensure stops are not too tight to allow smooth window movement.

## Testing the Restored Window

After completing all steps, test the window's operation. It should now open and close smoothly without resistance.

By following these detailed steps, you can restore your single-hung windows to their former glory, enhancing both functionality and curb appeal.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ennow when you look at these windows in the house most people would think that these windows are called double hung windows a double hung window means that the top sash and the bottom sash move independently the top sash comes down the bottom sash goes up but these windows are actually called single hung windows that means that the only the bottom sash operates the top sash is fixed also in the middle you have what is called a lock this goes at the meeting rail but right here you have a second lock and someone has drilled a hole through the meeting rail of the front sash into the back sash and inserted the steel dowel and that's a way of locking the windows together so now that we've got the windows unlocked we're going to try to pick it up and this isn't moving and that's because the windows are painted shut now this is an old house and any house that's built prior to 1978 you have to assume that it has lead and you have to deal with it now because the area that we're working on is less than six square feet we're not required to take any precautions but we are going to take some we're covering the floor with plastic and i've put a hepa filter in my vacuum and we're going to vacuum up any dust and work slowly so we don't create a lot of dust to get started i need to break the paint seal between the window stop and the face of the sash i have to do that all the way down the side also along the bottom where the window stool meets the face of the sash up the other side and also at the meeting rail where the two sash meet together and to do that i'm going to take a tool any tool that works and i'm going to start with the painters five in one tool and see how that works now as i dig away i want you to follow me with a vacuum to clean up the dust okay now we have to go outside and do the same thing now i'm going to take my pry bar and see if we can open it it's very important that i position it under the style i don't want to pry up under the rail the reason is if i pry right here i could break the glass or even damage the tenon that's holding the two pieces together so by putting it under the style i pry up gently there it goes okay now let's see how the window works all right we've got the window to operate the next thing we want to do is replace the sash cords to do that i have to remove this piece of trim work right here called the stop bead so now i want to cut along the paint so we can remove that so you want to follow me with the vacuum start right here just got a fine line right down nice i want to be careful because i don't want to break it okay that's good pull the window right out of the opening there it is and the weather stripping's coming with it now let me show you how that works let me tip the window up you can see right along the bottom that's the slot that the window goes in on the sill and that's the slot that the weather stripping fits into the next thing we want to do is get to the window weights that's in this pocket right here to do that i have to remove this little door right here that's held in place with two screws one at the top and one at the bottom okay here's the first door now i'll get the weight it's gonna be right here wow look at that all right and there's your first window weight gosh wow that is so much heavier than i thought all right we have another one on the other side all right the next thing i want to do is replace this old dried out sash cord and it's actually nailed into the side of the sash into this dado right here i just push it down until it comes out there it is right there and we'll tie it to the weight and there's our second one and we'll close it up put it back into the spot where it goes now we're ready to attach the ropes to the sash now to do that i want you to hold the sash into the opening just like this okay next thing i'm going to do is i'm going to grab the rope and i'm going to pull the weight all the way up till it hits the pulley just like that now i'm going to let it go back in about three or four inches now i'm going to take the rope and i'm going to hold it in the slot of the window just like that and i want you to hold the rope there if you can get it and now i'm going to screw the rope to the sash you got it yep all right now i'm going to cut the rope right here and i'm going to tuck it right in now do the other side so tell me what is this this is actually a lubricant that i'm putting on your weather stripping i use this on my table saw and it makes the wood slide across the metal top real easy it should do the same thing for your windows great okay now i'll just tack it at the top all right heather the last thing we have to do is reinstall the window stops that's your side and i'll do my side install the top first like that make it even on the outside edge now push out in the middle and push in in the lower part boing it out now it just drops into place we also want to make sure that it's not too tight against the window so the window will slide and now we'll just nail it in place all right heather why don't you give the window a try all right here i gonow when you look at these windows in the house most people would think that these windows are called double hung windows a double hung window means that the top sash and the bottom sash move independently the top sash comes down the bottom sash goes up but these windows are actually called single hung windows that means that the only the bottom sash operates the top sash is fixed also in the middle you have what is called a lock this goes at the meeting rail but right here you have a second lock and someone has drilled a hole through the meeting rail of the front sash into the back sash and inserted the steel dowel and that's a way of locking the windows together so now that we've got the windows unlocked we're going to try to pick it up and this isn't moving and that's because the windows are painted shut now this is an old house and any house that's built prior to 1978 you have to assume that it has lead and you have to deal with it now because the area that we're working on is less than six square feet we're not required to take any precautions but we are going to take some we're covering the floor with plastic and i've put a hepa filter in my vacuum and we're going to vacuum up any dust and work slowly so we don't create a lot of dust to get started i need to break the paint seal between the window stop and the face of the sash i have to do that all the way down the side also along the bottom where the window stool meets the face of the sash up the other side and also at the meeting rail where the two sash meet together and to do that i'm going to take a tool any tool that works and i'm going to start with the painters five in one tool and see how that works now as i dig away i want you to follow me with a vacuum to clean up the dust okay now we have to go outside and do the same thing now i'm going to take my pry bar and see if we can open it it's very important that i position it under the style i don't want to pry up under the rail the reason is if i pry right here i could break the glass or even damage the tenon that's holding the two pieces together so by putting it under the style i pry up gently there it goes okay now let's see how the window works all right we've got the window to operate the next thing we want to do is replace the sash cords to do that i have to remove this piece of trim work right here called the stop bead so now i want to cut along the paint so we can remove that so you want to follow me with the vacuum start right here just got a fine line right down nice i want to be careful because i don't want to break it okay that's good pull the window right out of the opening there it is and the weather stripping's coming with it now let me show you how that works let me tip the window up you can see right along the bottom that's the slot that the window goes in on the sill and that's the slot that the weather stripping fits into the next thing we want to do is get to the window weights that's in this pocket right here to do that i have to remove this little door right here that's held in place with two screws one at the top and one at the bottom okay here's the first door now i'll get the weight it's gonna be right here wow look at that all right and there's your first window weight gosh wow that is so much heavier than i thought all right we have another one on the other side all right the next thing i want to do is replace this old dried out sash cord and it's actually nailed into the side of the sash into this dado right here i just push it down until it comes out there it is right there and we'll tie it to the weight and there's our second one and we'll close it up put it back into the spot where it goes now we're ready to attach the ropes to the sash now to do that i want you to hold the sash into the opening just like this okay next thing i'm going to do is i'm going to grab the rope and i'm going to pull the weight all the way up till it hits the pulley just like that now i'm going to let it go back in about three or four inches now i'm going to take the rope and i'm going to hold it in the slot of the window just like that and i want you to hold the rope there if you can get it and now i'm going to screw the rope to the sash you got it yep all right now i'm going to cut the rope right here and i'm going to tuck it right in now do the other side so tell me what is this this is actually a lubricant that i'm putting on your weather stripping i use this on my table saw and it makes the wood slide across the metal top real easy it should do the same thing for your windows great okay now i'll just tack it at the top all right heather the last thing we have to do is reinstall the window stops that's your side and i'll do my side install the top first like that make it even on the outside edge now push out in the middle and push in in the lower part boing it out now it just drops into place we also want to make sure that it's not too tight against the window so the window will slide and now we'll just nail it in place all right heather why don't you give the window a try all right here i go\n"