MW Windows and Sash Replacements

Fenster Components is Your Solution for Matching Wood Window Replacements

As we mentioned under the “Wood Windows” section above, Fenster Components works exclusively on wood windows, including MW windows. That’s our area of expertise and where we can create the most value for you. 

What you may not realize is that even in unique homes, wood windows often fall into a “production-line” category. That is to say, in many homes, no matter how original or cliché the design is, whether it’s custom-built or manufactured, wood windows don’t typically vary much in how they are built or installed. In fact, the technology is largely the same today as it was fifty years ago. So what does that mean?

Well, it’s actually good news, especially when it comes to window repairs and replacements. It means in most instances, there are industry norms and guides for how to replace or repair your windows. Think of it like a car. The more specific modifications and customizations you install under the hood, the harder it is to find someone who can help fix or replace the hardware once it begins to fail. However, with a typical “off-the-lot” model, there are standard protocols and manufactured parts for replacing the more common hardware. The same is true for windows. 

One tricky part for wood windows, however, is that from the time a window is installed to the time it needs to be repaired, many companies either change their product lines or go out of business. That means it can be difficult to find a replacement or repair that matches the other windows in your home. That’s where Fenster comes into the picture. 

We specialize in manufacturing and recreating window components that match your original equipment. That means even if your windows are no longer being offered by the manufacturer, or if you only want to replace a few instead of the whole house, you can rest assured that we can provide windows that are an exact match. Not just that, but we can offer alternatives to replacing entire windows that are cheaper and reduce your hassle. However, before we can explain how exactly we do that, we need to talk a little bit more about wood window terminology. 

Key Wood Window Terminology You Need to Know

When we talk about wood windows (and windows in general) there are several key terms and components that you will need to know. Knowledge of the following terms will help you understand exactly what we can offer at Fenster, how it works, and why it might be the right solution for you.  

• Sash- This is the operable part of the window. This is the part that slides, opens, or moves.
• Casement- The type of window that cranks open
• Double Hung- The type of window that slides up and down
• Awning- Also known as a Hopper, this is the type of window that swings open from the top
• Slider- Also known as a Glider, this is the type of window slides open horizontally
• Stile- The vertical side of a sash frame
• Rail- The horizontal side of a sash frame
• Jambliner- The plastic sidetracks of a double-hung window that the sashes slide up and down in
• Balance- The spring mechanism in the jambliner that holds the sash up
• Casing- The decorative molding or framing around the exterior of a window that covers the space between the framing and the wall.

Now that we have some basic terms defined, we can start explaining what we do in better detail. 

What Goes Into Our MW Windows Solutions?

As we mentioned earlier, the reason we work on wood MW windows is because that’s where we can create value for you, the customer. Common issues with wood windows include rotting or cracking of wood as it gets older, allowing moisture to fog the glass window. At Fenster, we provide window repair solutions that simply replace the problematic wood pieces instead of replacing the entire window. As promised, we can finally get into the nitty-gritty about the window replacement alternatives we offer at Fenster Components. 

To put it in window terms from above, we offer sash replacements and sash packs. This type of replacement entails the removal of the operable components of the window as well as the replacement of the jamb liners, balances, and sashes (sash frames as well as glass) with newer components. This saves you time and money, by only replacing the parts you need. It also saves the hassle of a full-on window replacement. In some cases, it might even be the only way to ensure that all of your windows match without replacing each one of them. To get a better sense of why this combination of repair and replacement is better, let’s contrast it with the two main replacement solutions on the market today.