I have a customer whos casement window has an extensively rotted sash, but the frame and trim are in good shape. I need to order just the glass and sash (or maybe just replacement sash) but I don’t know the manufacturer. Can I order a window sash from any manufacturer as long as my dimensions match? Whats the best way to go about this process?
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Matching the existing hardware is the tricky part, but if just the wood is rotted why not remove the old hardware and glass (if it is in good shape) and build a new wood sash and fit the old glass and hardware in. I am assuming the frame has a hand crank and the special sliders on the top and bottom.
Or maybey take it to a window manufacturer and ask them to match it. (might have to find a few places.?)
Yeah, thats my goal. I don't want to try and build the sash with my table saw and router but If I have to I will. I would rather find replacement sash that can be cut to size and wrap the old window with it. But, like I said, i don't know the manufacturer. It looks like a windsor.
This can be a nightmare situation. It happened to me when the house I had built back in '81. The builder went with Vetter triple pane wood windows. No cladding at all. And a pizz poor paint job.
The weight of the triples caused the panes to mis-shapen when opened. And then water would get in the cracks. The bottom rail would rot badly.
I got the window installer to cover the first years worth of bad ones, but after that, too bad. It got so they wouldn't even talk to me or sell me parts. It wasn't cause I was nasty, they simply disclaimed they ever put them in the house in the first place.
I finally found an old guy that would make custom wood sashes. He then stroked out and had some younger family member make them for me for a few years. (This problem would not go away.) Then the guy died and the old lady wanted to liquidate.
A few years later, with a number of bad ones, I finally found another local manufacturer that told me he would remake all of the sashes in the house with new double pane, custom cut wood sashes, clad with a nice profile of his that offered another layer of weatherstripping - IF I would order them in Febuary at his slowest time. Turned out to be the best solution to this day.
But, I was lucky to find the guy to do it or any of them for that matter. The profile of the rails has some function upon the opening and closing plus positioning the weatherstipping. Most shops (and there were a lot) I approached about the job wouldn't touch it. The guy whom finally did it in the end had to grind his own knives for his cutter due to this profile issue.
I wish the OP the best of luck. However, there should be some form of manufacturer identity someplace.
That sounds like a fun ordeal. I know the manufacturer stickers are usually on the underside of the jambs, behind the casing and apron. Trying to find a way around having to pull the whole frame out though (its a double casement, with one side rotted). I would think that most major manufacturers sashes are similar in there profiling to at least be able to make an adjust or two to fit in a different frame. I guess I'll see
Did you look at the spacer between the glass? A few companies have a stamp there.How is the sash joined? Is there a screw at each corner on the face?
Barry E-Remodeler
Yeah. Just the name of the glass company
Yeah, only a few companies stamp thereHow old is the house, do your clients know who built it. Often if I know that I can find out who usually supplies their materials
Barry E-Remodeler
A couple of opton is to get a replacement unit, or have a woodshop repicate the sash.
Also, is the sash painted inside and out? If so, maybe you could use Albatron to restore it.
http://www.abatron.com/cms/buildingandrestorationproducts/woodrestorationmaintenance.html
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First, of course, check if the mfgr's name is stamped anywhere on the hardware. Then you might want to consider pulling out the sash and taking it to a local lumber yard to see if the counter guy can recognize it. If you suspect it may be an Andersen or another major brand they may have a help line that will assist in confirming it.
Is that window aluminum-clad? And was it installed in the '90s?
It might be a Pella, for whom there is a class action going on.
Why don't you put in a fiberglass frame and forget about it?Or as said, stabilize it and a real tough coating.