Anyone out there go sash windows without weights and cords?

[lupinfarm]

Has anyone out there got old sash windows that dont have weights and cords. I managed to open the kitchen window today( its been painted shut) and found that the window doesnt have weights or sash cord mechanisms. Is that weird? This summer
I plan on removing the upper and lower sashs and stripping them and restoring them. I am hoping they will slide better. The
sashs seem to be in pretty good shape, no rot or mildew just a little damage to the bottom of the lower sash which I think
has been caused by people trying to pry it open. Any suggestions on restoring the window would be good as this is the only
original window in the entire house.

[McCall]

Are you saying it does not have anything to support it if you open it? It could have spring balances if it does not have weights. How do you know it does not have weights and broken ropes?

Or does it have holes in the sides for pins to hold it up?

[lupinfarm]

I cant be sure it doesnt have weights and cords but I did remove the knockout panel but there was just wood behind
it, so I assume there was never any weights or cords. I did read somewhere that low end sash windows were made
without the weights and cords. I am not sure if the window has springs or pins I guess I will have to take the trim work
off to find out for sure. I need some courage to remove the trim, perhaps i could do that tomorrow. It is march break
here at the moment and the kids and hubby are at hubbys appartment in Toronto for the week, so I am left alone
to my own devices.

[gregV]

All early double hung sash windows had no weights or anything. It wasn't until the very late 1800s that windows started with the weights.
All my windows are free sliding. I use what was used back in those days to hold them up. It's a simple window jack. See pic.

This is in my shop so excuse the filth.

[James]

Hi I have the same arrangement, no ropes here either.

[1880 Stick Victorian]

this is the 2nd attempt to post this...
we have two windows in the house that don't have the pully/weights. What they do have are these spring sash pins that are set into the window sash and then a hole is drilled into the track for the pin to slide in. i wish i had better pictures but i think you will get the idea. you can still find the sash pins... (disregard the chippy paint...this window is on the old maid's quarters)

lower sash



upper sash and you can see a much used hole in the track forward of the upper sash's pin, for the lower sash.

[lupinfarm]

Thanks for all the great info. I dont think my window had pins. No evidence of holes in window. Perhaps they used
a jack. My window is the same style as gregs although I think the glass has been replaced with modern glass, as there
are no waves. Hmmm interesting, I found a coin under the lower sash dated 1929 so that together with the window
not having pullys and cords suggests the wooden extension is alot older than I first thought.

[Lynners]

Hi Lupin,

I was looking at my windows the other day too, and low and behold I don't have weights or pulleys either. Also no pins or holes to be seen. Even though we were built in 1899, I'm certain the people who built it had little money and only splurged on some things (that I'm guessing the wife insisted on!). Anyway, I digress.

I have 2 over 2's like you, only difference being that the top of mine are slightly curved.

[lupinfarm]

Love your curves Lynners, Infact I am quite jealous. The original POs of my little victorian couldnt even affort the curved windows. Although I am not sure what the dormer window ( above the porch) was originally rectangular as the area outside has been sided in vinyl and the interior of the dormer has been drywalled, allbeit really crappily. I have begun
stripping the layers of paint from the outside of the kitchen window today ( weather was awesome) got down to the wood on the sill so far. I am going to start on the vertical portions tomorrow. Oh must go have to put my ducks and
chickens to bed.

[cadrad]

my little tiny 1930s house that i had before had original divided light windows with no mechanisim at all to hold them up. I did have those "window jack" things for several of them. sometimes if they were open and the wind blew hard enough, they were so loose that it would blow the jack out and they would slam shut, scaring the crap out of me. I tried tightning the stops, but they were too tight then to open. you had two choices, tight or loose, i could never reach a middle ground.I also tried weatherstripping them with the bronze, but then they were too hard to open also. I usually just used that peelable caulk every year to try to make them a little better energy wise. Those windows were cheap from the onset. They were rotted and drafty and rattly no matter how many repairs I tried on them. They made me see why people sometimes put in replacements. I would have in a heartbeat, even though I am a big advocate of original windows and would never even consider putting in replacements at the new house. whew... never realised I had so much resentment and hostility toward those windows until I started typing!