If you need to clean or do necessary maintenance on your double hung sash window, it will be critical that you know the procedure of removing and reinserting a Milgard double hung window sash. This guide will cover how to remove and reinsert a double hung window sash. (Please make sure to read our FAQs disclaimer before reviewing or enacting any FAQ content/recommendations.)

You do not need any tools for this process; just gloves and safety glasses.

Removing the lower sash is required for you to remove the upper sash. Therefore, we will start with the lower sash. Open the sash by lifting up on the handle or the turning spoon. Then, if necessary, you need to disable the Window Opening Control Device. Next, raise the lower sash four inches. (You will know it is the lower sash because it has the handle or spoon on top). On the top of the sash, there are two tilt latch buttons. Press them until they click. Then, rotate the sash until it is perpendicular to your house. Lift one side up two inches and then repeat on the other side. Finally, making sure that the pivot bars are not connected to the balance shoes, lift up on one side to rotate the sash out of the frame.

Next, we will move on to removing the upper sash, Lower the upper sash six inches above the sill. Locate the tilt latch buttons and press them until they click, Rotate the sash towards the inside of your house until it is perpendicular to the wall. Lift up one of the sides two inches before repeating on the other side. Finally, making sure the pivot bars are not connected to the balance shoe, lift up one side to rotate the sash out of the frame.

To reinsert the upper sash, first, hold it perpendicular to the wall. Insert one pivot bar into one of the outermost balance shoes. Then, rotate the other pivot bar into the other outermost balance shoe. Make sure the pivot bars are fully inserted into the shoes. (You may damage the window if the bars are not fully seated. If you feel the sash bind, you will know that they are not entirely seated, and you need to give it a little pat.) Next, rotate the sash up until it comes in contact with the frame. Afterwards, make sure the tilt latch is working by trying to pull the sash away from the top. If the tilt latches are working, sash will remain in place. If there is movement from the sash, try pushing it against the frame again. Finally, slide the sash up and down to check the full range of the sash.

To reinsert the lower sash, hold it perpendicular to the wall. Place one of the pivot bars into one of the outermost balance shoes and rotate the second one into the other outermost balance shoe. Once again, make sure the pivot bars are fully inserted into the shoes. Then, turn the sash upwards, making sure one side does not drop, until it comes into contact with the frame Finally, make sure that the tilt latch is working just like with the upper sash and check the full range of motion of the sash for your window. The last step is to check the operation of the handle or spoon. If everything is working correctly, you have completed removing and reinserting the sashes on your Milgard double hung window sash.

Check out all the double hung windows that Milgard has to offer through US Window & Door. Download the brochure on the right for more information on removing and reinserting double hung window sashes.