In the opinion of many, sash windows are an intrinsic feature of 'period' homes and should be saved at all costs. Well, maybe not ALL costs, but definitely worth the time and trouble to repair rather than replace. Some repairs are easy enough to do yourself so here's a little about how sash windows work.
Some guy who makes his living restoring older homes was once overheard saying that people who lived in older homes often have never seen some of their windows (or all of them) work as was intended when they were first installed. The good news is this isn't that difficult or expensive to remedy. Some repairs you might do yourself.
Sometimes the only thing a window needs to start working again is the removal of some old paint. Decades or centuries of painting can gum up the works and cause difficulty in the window's operation. This is a DIY (do-it-yourself) kind of thing if you're handy enough.
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.
What's the best advice on old double-hung 'period' windows? Repair rather than replace. Wood windows are efficient. Wood is a great insulator. Don't let someone try to convince you that the new plastic, thermal paned, hi-tech windows should be installed as replacements. Plus, they just wouldn't look appropriate on your older home.
Here's some more advice. If you hire someone to fix your house, hire someone who knows how sash windows work. Better yet, hire someone who does nothing else in their business other than restore old windows. A specialist... That's the ticket. They're out there, somewhere in your area, and probably on the Internet too. Take a look.
Find out everything you need to know about how to maintain and repair your windows at a sash window workshop today! Discover how 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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