Repairing Sash Windows

Sash windows are an intrinsic part of a period house and should be repaired rather then replaced if it is at all possible.

The most important step in the process is measuring existing windows carefully. The exact places to measure, and the tolerances will vary from manufacture to manufacture, so decide on the brand of replacement sash before starting.

Sometimes a window can be improved considerably without replacing the entire unit by just replacing the sash , so you don’t have to replace the existing jambs and casing .This option is particularly helpful if there is no need to change the size or location of the windows.

To find the width, measure from the inside of the jamb on one side of the window to the inside of the other side of the window. Measure at the bottom, middle and top of the window. Use the narrowest measurement for the width of your replacement window.

To find the height, measure from the top of sill to the bottom of window’s head jamb. Measure at the left, middle and right of the window. Use the shortest measurement for the height of your replacement window

NOTE: using the smallest measurements ensures that the replacement window will fit inside the existing window frame.