Cost To Replace Window Sash Cords
In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to replace window sash cords. Steps: 1 Unscrew the window stop from each side jamb. 2 Remove the bottom sash. 3 Pry the parting bead free of the window frame. 4 Pull out the top sash. 5 Cut sash cord on both sides of window frame; knot cords to prevent them from falling into wall. Quality Sash Window Repairs. All the replacement sash cords that we provide come with a five year guarantee for your total peace of mind and remember, the more sash cords that we replace the better the price we can give you! Call us today for a quote over the phone we are always happy to help.
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- 1 Repair Window Weight Ropes
- 2 Install a Rope in a Pulley-Type Window
- 3 Replace Window Sash Weights
- 4 Replace Sash Weights in Double Hung Windows
If you live in an older home and have double-hung sash windows, most likely the window sashes raise and lower with the aid of hidden sash counter-weights attached to cords. Over time, these cords deteriorate, fray and break. A broken cord interferes with the window’s balance, making it harder to open and close and it can keep the window from staying open. You might think that replacing the sash cords requires a professional with special skills; however, this is a project that you can tackle yourself.
1
Examine the window and notice the pieces of wood on the interior sides of the frame. These are called stops; they hold the window sashes in place and create a track for the lower sash to slide up and down. Carefully remove each stop using a small pry bar and rubber mallet. If the frame has been painted, first score along the edges of the stops to free them from the frame.
2
Slide the lower sash up to the top of the window frame. If you see a metal track on each side of the frame, remove the nails or screws holding them in place and remove the tracks. The lower window sash is now free.
3
Tilt the lower sash away from the window frame and unhook the sash cords from the slots on the sides of the sash. Untie the knots at the end of the cords. Allow the sash weights to pull the end of the cords up to the pulley. Set the window off to the side.
4
Pry off the parting strips on each side of the window frame using a stiff putty knife. Parting strips are small strips of wood that separate the two windows. In some designs, they are also used to hold the weight pocket panels in place. If these have been painted over, score along the edges before prying.
5
Tilt the upper sash away from the window frame and unhook the sash cord from the slots on the sides of the sash. Untie the knots at the end of the cords. Allow the sash weights to pull the end of the cords up to the pulley. Set the window off to the side.
6
Remove the panels from the sides of the window frame. These may or may not be held in place with screws. Pull out the weights and untie the sash cords. Cut new sash cords to match the lengths of the old cords. Tie the end of each new cord to its corresponding sash weight.
7
Attach a small weight, such as a fishing weight, to a string. Feed the weight and string over the back pulley for the upper window sash. Allow the weight to pull the string down to where you can see the string. Take the string, untie the small weight and tie the string to the loose end of the new sash cord.
8
Set the upper window sash on the window sill to attach the cords. Pull the string with the attached sash cord up and over the pulley. Untie the string from the cord, tie a knot at the end of the cord and pull it until the sash weight is at the top of the pocket, near the pulley. Hook the cord back into the slot along the side of the window sash.
Cost To Replace Window Sash Cords
9
Repeat the process for the other side of the sash. Put the upper window sash back in place and reattach the parting strips with screws. Attach the sash cords for the lower window sash in a similar fashion.
10
Hold the lower window sash up to the top of the window frame. If there were metal tracks, attach them to the frame. Attach the weight pocket panels and stops with screws.
Things You Will Need
- Small pry bar
- Rubber mallet
- Utility knife
- Putty knife
- Screwdriver
- Replacement sash cord
- Small weight
- String
- Screws
Photo Credits
- Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
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Related Articles
- 1 Replace Double-Hung Window Balance Springs
- 2 Replace Window Balances
- 3 Adjust a Double Hung Window Spring
- 4 Stop a Window From Sliding Down
Your windows use spring balances to help you raise and lower the window sash and keep the sash in a raised position. When you have difficulty raising the sash, or it no longer remains open without the help of a prop, one or both of your spring balances could have a broken spring or cord and replacement is in order to repair the window. Repairing a window spring balance does not require any specialty tools, and you can accomplish this task on your own, unless you have an excessively large window that might require four hands instead of two.
Look along the top inside of the window frame for stops. The plastic stops snap into the frame to keep the window sash from rising too far inside the frame. When your window has stops, grab them with your fingers and pull them from the frame.
Pull out on the bottom of the take out clips inside the frame. These clips install about 6 to 8 inches above the sash. Slide a flat-head screwdriver under the bottom of the clip when you cannot pull the bottom of the clip out of the frame with your fingers. Some older windows may have screws instead of clips. When your window has screws, rotate the screws counterclockwise once or twice to back them out of the frame slightly. Do not remove the screws completely.
Lift the window sash. As you lift the sash, the spring balances will appear beneath the sides of the window, and you will begin to feel the weight of the sash in your hands. Raise the sash until you can pull one side of the sash from the frame to release the sash from frame. Carefully set the window sash aside.
Push down on the top of the spring balance to release it from the clip. The springs are under tension; the larger the window, the more tension the spring holds, so keep a firm grip on the spring.
Lower the top of the spring toward the opposite side of the frame as you slowly raise the bottom of the spring balance. Continue to raise the bottom of the spring until you release all the tension and can unhook the spring from the slot holding it in the window frame.
Place your balance on a table with the spring opening facing down. Measure across the back of the channel to obtain the width. Measure the channel height. Do not include the plastic attachments at the top and bottom of the channel. Purchase a channel that equals your measurements. Make sure to match the plastic attachments at the top and bottom of the old spring balance when purchasing a replacement.
Insert the hook attached at the bottom of the replacement spring balance into the slot cut in the window frame. Swing the top of the spring toward the window frame as you push down on the spring to increase the tension. Continue to push down on the spring balance until you can hook the top of the balance beneath the clip or screw in the frame.
Install one side of the sash into the top of the window frame. Push the sash against the frame until you can insert the opposite side of the sash in the frame.
Lower the sash until it engages with the bottom of the replacement spring balances. Push the bottom of the take out clips into the window frame or tighten the screws so they are flush with the frame.
Raise and lower the sash two or three times to ensure the window operates properly. Replace the stops in the frame if applicable.
Flat-head screwdriver
Tape measure
Things You Will Need
References (3)
About the Author
Cecilia Harsch has been writing professionally since 2009. She writes mainly home improvement, health and travel articles for various online publications. She has several years of experience in the home-improvement industry, focusing on gardening, and a background in group exercise instruction. Harsch received her Certified Nurses Assistant license in 2004. She attended Tarrant County College and studied English composition.
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