Removing sash windows for decoration

[dal3001]

Hi all,

I'm currently undertaking an inside and outside redecoration of the existing timber sash windows in my Victorian house. I think in an ideal world I'd be able to take them out and refit them (possibly with new cords) as part of this work. I've dabbled with bits and pieces of DIY and feel confident enough to at least give it a try. It would be really useful for the upstairs because I could strip the outsides of the boxes from inside if I could temporarily remove the sashes.

It seems all my windows are single hung sash, so the top doesn't move. In my square bay, the side windows are just completely fixed, so neither top or bottom are openable.

Is there a method for removing the top sash in the single hung windows? Will it come out if I remove the parting bead or is it held in place somewhere else too?

Same question for the fixed smaller windows, is it possible to remove these? I've taken the staff bead off of them and I can't get the bottom sash out but I didn't really try and force it.

I found lots of resources online for removing both top and bottom sashes if they're double hung.

I've attached a pic of a side window in the bay for reference.

Thanks

 

[a twig]

Probably not a direct answer to your question but worth having a read (if you haven’t already) of @Feltwell extensive thread on sash window renovation?

 

[a twig]

I suspect the sashes have been nailed shut at some point - a multi tool with a metal cutting blade slid in between the sash and the frame can be used to cut through the nail once you have located it

 

[fernicarry]

Once you get the bottom middle sash out so you can get into the weight pockets you might find the weights for the top sash lying there if it was intended to move. I don't think there's enough space in the corner for the weights for the side windows but their cords might have been routed across the top with the weights hanging on the inner side. Where there lifts on the side windows?

So far as getting the fixed ones out, probe around with something thin like a putty knife and as @a twig suggests cut with a multitool. The horns would be the most likely spot for a nail.

 

[dal3001]

Thanks for the responses. I can't see nails in the horns, at least not in an obvious way, I suppose they could have been painted over so I'll take a closer look!

So, in terms of the actual fundamental way these are built, am I fair to assume the following when approaching them?

• For the small side windows in the bay that are fixed and don't appear to have any cords or pulleys, they will be fixed with nails into the frame. I need to either find these nails and cut them, or pry the window in the correct direction to pull the nails out if that's possible.
  
  
• For the fixed upper sash that is present in all of my windows, these are also fixed by nails into the box/frame and again, need cutting or appropriately prying?

Mainly I want to make sure I've understood the way these were put together, so I'm not missing an easy trick to getting them removed, or to stop me from applying brute force in the wrong way!

Thanks

 

[fernicarry]

I definitely wouldn't pry or apply brute force as you are quite likely to break something. Finding the fixings and cutting them will be the least invasive approach. And the "fixing" might actually be many coats of paint...

 

[CliffordPope]

If it's been painted shut then usually after prising off the access beading on the inside you can see the join between the frame and the sash, because that won't have been painted over. Try lightly hammering in or levering with a big chisel just to break the paint joints, and run a knife blade down to find the nails.