Common questions
Old window repair FAQ: sash repair, reglazing, cost and more
Is it really cheaper to repair old windows than replace them?
Almost always. Replacing a single window with a decent new unit plus installation typically runs well into four figures per opening, while re-roping, re-glazing and weather-tightening an original window costs a fraction of that and lasts for decades. Call Mark with the number of windows and what they're doing and he'll give you a straight estimate. The repair vs. replacement page on this site lays out the numbers side by side.
My window has been painted shut for years. Can it be freed without damage?
Yes. Painted-shut sashes are one of the most common calls Mark gets. The paint seal is cut, the sash is freed and planed or waxed where it binds, and the cords and weights are checked so it actually stays open once it moves again.
What is the rope inside my window for, and why did it break?
That's the sash cord. It runs over a pulley at the top of the frame to a cast-iron weight hidden in the wall, which balances the sash so it stays wherever you put it. Cotton cords dry out and fray after decades. Mark replaces them with proper waxed sash cord (or chain where appropriate) and re-hangs the weights.
Can you replace a cracked pane in an old wood window?
Yes. A single broken pane is reset with new glass, bedded and glazed, then primed and painted. You don't need to replace the whole sash — let alone the whole window — for one cracked light.
What is a window sash, and what does window sash repair involve?
The sash is the wood frame that holds the glass and slides up and down inside the window frame. Window sash repair means fixing that moving part rather than replacing the whole window: new sash cords or chains, re-hung weights, freed and eased edges, tightened joints and, if needed, fresh glazing and paint. It's the most common repair Mark does.
Why won't my window stay open?
On an original double-hung window, almost always a broken or slipped sash cord. The iron counterweight that balances the sash has dropped to the bottom of the weight pocket, so nothing is holding the sash up. Sash cord replacement restores the balance and the window stays wherever you put it.
Is reglazing a window the same as replacing the glass?
No. Reglazing means removing the failed putty, re-bedding the existing pane and tooling a new putty bevel, then priming and painting. The original glass stays. Glass is replaced only if it's cracked or broken — and even then it goes back into the original sash.
How do double-hung windows work?
Each sash hangs on two cords that run over pulleys at the top of the frame to cast-iron weights hidden in pockets behind the trim. The weights balance the sash so it glides with one finger and stays put. See the diagram on the About page for a labeled cutaway.
Does Mark repair vinyl or aluminum replacement windows?
No. Mark specializes in the original wood double-hung and casement windows, and the storm panels that protect them, found in Cincinnati homes built roughly from the 1880s through the 1950s. If your windows are newer replacement units, he'll tell you so on the phone and save you a trip.
How do I get an estimate?
Call (513) 921-1244 during business hours. Describe what the windows are doing and roughly how many there are. Mark will tell you whether it's a job he takes on and what it will likely involve.
Still have a question? Contact Mark — he'd rather answer it than have you guess.
