Anyone on here have knowledge on double hung sash windows?

The lower section of one of our sashes has stopped opening. The cords are sound and when you pull them inwards you can feel the weight moving. The sash casement moves slightly fore and aft within the boxing as it should, but it won’t raise no matter how much you pull it. I don’t want to break into the boxing, so just wondered if anybody might have had a similar issue which they resolved. The windows were painted last year, but as mentioned the casement moves within its grooves, so it’s not stuck, but it won’t lift up.

Thanks

Andy

Is the top sash sliding independently from the bottom. If not then the paint has fused them together, a bread knife sorts that!

Otherwise just prise out the beading holding the sash in place so you can remove it to inspect. You only need to remove one side.

I always remove the sash's to paint them and the frames only takes a few minutes.

Hope that helps
David Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged 2006
Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.5 2017
MG TF 2003

Previous Cars of note
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MG Midget 1974 - Concours

It’s not the pulley wheel jammed at the top of the frame?

The top sash moves as it should, it’s just the lower sash and the pulley wheels seem ok, you can pull the sash cords inwards and you hear the weights moving.

I’ve tried running a thin pointing trowel between the sash and the frame, but still it won’t move, hence the appeal on here!

I’ll try prising the beading away, fully expecting the full “Are you sure you know what you’re doing….” from SWMBO….

Apply upward pressure on the sash by hand and gently tap left and right side of the sash near the box using a rubber mallet or palm of your hand. Hopefully it frees and moves up. Do not be tempted to tap the sash up, if it’s single glazed and does not move/free doing that it usually cracks the glass.
Popping the bead off the box generates more decorating tasks!
However it might be required to free it?

Personally I would never tap any of my sashes, some contain the original Georgian glass and glass as it ages becomes very brittle.

It is normally very easy to remove the beading, but if it does split it is a standard moulding available in most DIY stores.

David Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged 2006
Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.5 2017
MG TF 2003

Previous Cars of note
Land Rover Discovery 2
Jaguar Mk2 3.8 - Company car
MG Midget 1974 - Concours

Gently tapping with a rubber mallet is an acceptable solution, when serving my apprenticeship 34yrs ago it worked fine and the miserable old git who employed me would have battered me if I broke the glazing!

In my case it would the mrs who would have a go Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged 2006
Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.5 2017
MG TF 2003

Previous Cars of note
Land Rover Discovery 2
Jaguar Mk2 3.8 - Company car
MG Midget 1974 - Concours

Youtube to the rescue ?

 .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
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Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Thanks Joe. I’ll get SWMBO to watch the video and then guide me. That way if it ends up going wrong it’s not my fault……

Wow that was brutal! I've never had to apply that kind of brute force to any of my windows. I have 7 of them to look after on my grade 2 listed property and most of them are original and in very good condition.

Please be more gentle otherwise you will split all the beads you want to remove.

My method that I have used for over 30 years is to use a 1/2 inch bevel chisel that I slide the bevel against the box frame and lever out (ie gently prise) use a thin ply or plastic to protect the box frame, look for the weak point which occur between the nails that may have been used. (I just hope that some idiot in the past has not glued them)

I can remove a sliding sash in less than 5 minutes so it really does not take a lot of force so take your time and use intelligence rather than brute force, you will do less damage.

I now remove all sashes to paint the frames and sashes as I can do a better job of painting them, fortunately I have secondary glazing so for me its weather proof and reasonably secure to do this over a couple of days.

PS I do not use nails to reinstall the beads relying on a tight fit to hold them in place.

David Range Rover 4.2 Supercharged 2006
Ford Focus EcoBoost 1.5 2017
MG TF 2003

Previous Cars of note
Land Rover Discovery 2
Jaguar Mk2 3.8 - Company car
MG Midget 1974 - Concours

Quote:

that was brutal!

Agree to some extent. The video/s were really to show how the sash windows are all put together... .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999