Sash Cord Replacement
Window won’t stay open?
Window painted shut?
If you’ve got timber double hung windows in your period home that aren’t working properly, the problem is often the sash cords.
Over the years these windows get painted over again and again. Sometimes the paint seals them shut, and other times the cords get stiff, frayed, or eventually snap. When that happens the window won’t stay open, or it drops shut as soon as you let go.
The good news is these windows are very repairable, and most of the time they just need the cords replaced and the window freed up.
How sash cords work
Traditional double hung windows use sash cords and counterweights hidden inside the frame. The cords connect the window to weights that balance it, which is what allows the window to slide up and down smoothly and stay open where you leave it.
When the cord breaks, the weight is no longer supporting the window — so the window becomes heavy, difficult to move, or won’t stay open.
How I fix them
When I replace sash cords I carefully remove the window sashes, access the weight pockets inside the frame, and install new cords so the window is properly balanced again.
While I’m there I’ll also usually:
free up painted or stuck sashes
check the pulleys and weights
make sure the window slides smoothly again
Most of the time these original timber windows just need a bit of attention to get them working properly again.
Keeping original windows working
I work on a lot of older homes around Stonington and , and many of them still have their original sash windows. In most cases they can be repaired rather than replaced, which keeps the character of the house.
The best time to replace them
The best time to replace your sash cords is before painting. Accessing the weights requires removing the beadings, which will damage the paint.
If the cords are broken, painted or starting to fray, it makes sense to replace them before repainting the windows so the job only needs to be done once and will last for many years.
