Keeping a home’s windows in good shape is important to maintaining the appearance and efficiency of a home, so it is vital to know what to do in case a window begins to sag. Windows are one of the most striking architectural features of a home, so any sag in a window can be very noticeable to homeowners, visitors and potential purchasers. This article will focus on identifying the different causes of window sag and how they can be remedied and avoided.
Types of Windows
Windows come in a wide variety of shapes and styles, so one must first identify the type of window in order to address the causes of the sagging. If the window extends away from the wall in a semi-circle and is supported underneath, it is a bay window. A similar window that is not supported in its central part, the one that extends out of the house, then it is a bow window. If the window is parallel to the wall and is hinged on the side, it is a casement window. Otherwise, it could be a fixed window, single or double hung or a slider window. We will take a look at each category and see what can cause window sag in each one in turn.
Bay Windows
Since bay windows extend past the support that a home’s walls and foundation offer, they are particularly susceptible to gravity. Because of this, the window frame can sag and keep windows within it from opening and closing. The key to repairing such sag in a bay window is to provide it additional support. While the best long-term solution would be to contract a bay window professional to reinforce the original supports, it is possible to alleviate the problem using brackets to connect the bay, the structure holding the bay window, to the wall. Using hydraulic jacks raise the window to the original height and then fasten it to the exterior wall with brackets. You can then conceal them with an exterior treatment that works well with the rest of the home’s exterior. This redistributes some of the window’s weight to the exterior wall, which is in turn supported by the foundation. This will reverse the sagging that has already occurred and slow down the window’s sag in the future. However, it is important to regularly check on the window: if it has sagged previously, it will eventually begin to sag again.
Bow Windows
Bow windows are similar to bay windows in that they extend beyond the home’s wall and are therefore not as well-supported as in-wall windows. And while bay windows rest on a support structure, the bay, bow windows are merely connected to the wall itself. This presents several unique causes for window sagging. Sagging in a bow window can be caused by a lack of support on the bottom of the window or on the top. If the bottom of a bow window is sagging, the solution is the same as for a bay window: adding brackets to connect the window to the wall so that the wall can support the window’s weight more effectively. However, if the top of the window is buckling, then the problem is more severe, as the window is not attached to the rest of the home strongly enough to keep it in place. The solution to this is to run a support cable connecting the top of the window to the wall. This will redistribute some of the weight from the wall to the foundation, keeping the window in place and avoiding sagging.
Other Window Types
Other kinds of windows are built directly into the wall, so they do not sag due to lack of support. However, there are a number of other possible causes of sag common among them. They fall into three broad categories – the window itself, the window frame or the wall underneath the window.
Sagging Hinges
If a window pane sags while the window frame remains level, the cause is most likely a bent hinge. Since a window’s hinge has to support a heavy window, some of them can bend over time and cause the window pane to be misaligned with the window frame. This can be easily fixed by replacing the hinge, according to Family Handyman.
Warped Frames
In a climate with a lot of inclement weather or rapid temperature changes, it is not unusual for the window frame to deform. In those cases, it is often the easiest to simply replace the window, preferably with one made of or insulated by more weather-resistant materials.
Damaged Wall
If a window is sagging, but none of the other potential issues seem to be causing it, then it could be a sign of structural problems with the wall itself. In such cases, it is important to have a professional contractor examine the window and the wall so that proper steps can be taken to ensure the home remains safe and structurally stable.
Window Maintenance
Windows form connections between a home and the outside world. This makes them very important to both a home’s appearance and its structural integrity. By taking good care of your home’s windows, you are maintaining not only its good looks, but also its longevity and durability.
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