Riegel Restoration

Typical Window Anatomy

The windows in your home are simple machines with a proven design. It may help to have some basic understanding of how they function. We will use a double hung sash with a rope and weight balance system in this example. The illustration above shows a typical double hung window. The term “double hung” means both the bottom and top sash are intended to be movable. Opening the top sash allows for better ventilation. Older homes may have simpler single hung sash where only the bottom sash opens and the top sash is fixed in place. These normally will not have a balance system.

The balance system is used to offset the weight of the sash, making opening and closing it easier. Without it you must lift the entire weight of the sash to open the window. The balance system also allows the sash to remain in what ever position you wish to leave it in. Where there is no balance system a spring loaded pin or simple window prop is typically used to hold a sash open.

The balance system is quite simple. A rope, or in some cases a chain, is fastened to the side of the sash. That rope runs up and over a pulley at the top of the jamb. It then runs down inside the jamb and is tied to a weight. That weight moves up and down in a weight pocket as the sash is raised and lowered. This system is repeated on both sides of the sash with each weight equal to one half the total weight of the sash. Other, more modern balance systems exist but they tend to be complex, involve proprietary components that may not be available and can be difficult to repair properly.

Common Window Problems

Over time all window systems will develop a number of common problems. The Process of fixing these problems will involve a number of steps, depending on the exact nature of the windows, the condition they are in and client requirements. We will describe a fairly common sash configuration, the typical problems we encounter and the process we use to restore windows.

It is very common for paint to get inside the tracks the sash slide in. As a result the sash becomes stuck in place and inoperable. Often the home owner simply leaves the top sash closed. Further paint jobs over the years can make servicing difficult. Occasionally the bottom sash will also be painted shut and can no longer be opened.

Note
Never apply paint to the area of the jambs where the sash slide!

Over time the ropes in the balance system can become brittle and break. This leaves the sash without a balance system making opening a window very difficult. The pulleys will often be coated in paint making them inoperable. Insulation is sometimes packed into the weight pockets making the balance system inoperative.

Latches and other window hardware will often be covered in layers of paint, hiding their original beauty and making it difficult to latch or unlatch a sash.

Of course glass may be cracked or broken and glazing may be loose and falling out.

Over time water infiltration and failed paint may have caused the wood to rot in some places. This is frequently seen at the bottoms of lower sash.

We can fix all of these problems, making your restored sash look and perform as they were intended.

The Restoration Process

The first step in the restoration process is to remove the bottom and top sash so they can be brought to our shop for restoration. In a double hung window the top sash must first be lowered all the way to remove it. Years of paint, both inside and out, can make this a difficult but necessary process.

Once both sash are removed we will remove paint from the jamb, preparing it for reinstallation of the restored sash later. The weight pulleys will be cleaned of old paint and made functional again. Removing the pulleys risks causing damage so we typically do this in place.

While the sash and other components are in our shop the window opening must be sealed. If the window is equipped with storm sash that step is already done. Otherwise we will normally seal the opening with plywood. If the client wishes we can use Plexiglas or Lexan for this to maintain the view and allow light to enter the room during this time. This will be at an additional cost due to the higher price of the material and extra labor.

Once the sash are in our shop we will mark the positions of each pane of glass in the sash, then carefully remove the glass and store it safely. In cases where there is old wavy original glass we take every precaution to preserve that original glass, but there may be cases where it is either already broken or it may get broken during the removal process. We can replace broken panes with new glass or at an extra cost we can replace broken panes with salvaged wavy glass. It is up to the client to decide which option to use.

Window hardware like latches and pulls will be removed and restored. All old paint will be removed and the metal will be given a protective coating. Broken hardware will be replaced with similar parts. We may have salvaged parts that match the original items better than new parts would. In some cases reproduction parts may be available. These choices are client driven. We make every effort to meet our client’s wishes.

Once the glass has been removed we carefully strip off all the old paint and glazing, then sand the wood. While we are removing old paint we may be able to determine the original colors used, should the client request that. We will also pull nails and strip paint from stops, trim and other components that we brought into the shop. These parts will be inspected for damage and repaired as needed.

Finally we will clean the glass, removing all old paint, glazing compound and other foreign materials. During this process we may find scratches from previous repairs or other flaws. We will get input from our clients on how to deal with these issues as we find them.

At this point we carefully examine the sash looking for damage that must be repaired. Depending on the nature of that damage we may chose to leave it as part of the sash’s historic character, repair it with a special epoxy wood filler, replace damaged wood with a dutchman, or in cases of severe damage, make an entirely new part.

Once the wood has been repaired the sash and other components like trim will be given a coat of high quality primer.

Next the glass will be reinstalled. Original panes are put back in their original locations in the same orientation. Replacement glass is cut to fit and installed in place of broken panes. We only use high quality professional grade glazing compound.

Finally the sash will receive one or more coats of finish paint. The client may choose the color or we can recommend an historically appropriate color. If the client requested a color analysis and we were able to determine an original color we can use that.

Note that a part of the restoration process is cure time. Glues used in repairs, each coat of paint, glazing compound, and epoxy wood fillers each require several days to properly cure. This is one reason for lengthy lead times.

Finally the restored sash will be reinstalled. If present we will replace sash cord (ropes) and get the weight and pulley balance system functioning. We always use special rope made just for this purpose.

The completed job will function as it did when new and look as good as possible.