Sashes sticking in their window frames can be easily repaired by a professional and in most cases no parts of the window need to be replaced. This page outlines the typical causes of sashes sticking in window frames and how they can be repaired.
Swollen Timber
When timber swells due to damp it can expand by as little as a millimetre which is enough to stop sashes from moving up and down within their frames. This type of problem is easily solved by carefully planing the swollen edge back to the original size and then sealing the exposed edge to prevent future damp penetration.
Built-Up Paint Layers
Decades of paint can build up in the channels of a sash, locking the sash into the frame. The channels are stripped back to bare timber and the window lightly sand blasted before being re-painted with a thin finish to allow the sashes to slide up and down freely.
Worn or Missing Beads
The staff bead and parting bead are the internal components which run along the sides of the sashes and guide them within the frame. If these are damaged or have gone missing then the sashes may stick or even drop down sideways. These are standard components for Sash Window Repairs. For Sash Window Repair, see https://www.sashwindowpreservation.co.uk/services/sash-window-repair.
Broken Sash Cords
When a sash cord breaks, the sash will likely be left to lean against the frame of a property. This can result in considerable damage and will require full repair in the form of removal of the staff bead, new sash cord fitted and weights rebalanced.
Debris in the Pulley Channels
Debris such as grit, old putty or even flaking paint can get into the pulley channels and seize up. Cleaning out the debris and then lightly oiling the pulleys, as recommended in SPAB’s introduction to sash window maintenance and repair, can then allow smooth operation of the sashes.
Identifying what has caused a sash to stick is crucial to ensuring that the repairer is able to provide you with the best possible advice and to ensure that any work that is carried out is completed in the most efficient manner.
