Help with windows
I have a few windows in my brownstone where either the chains have broken and the counterweights fallen to the bottom of their shafts or the windows will only go down to about 8 inches from the sill (luckily the storm windows are fully intact)… Can anyone recommend someone who has experience in these tyoes…
I have a few windows in my brownstone where either the chains have broken and the counterweights fallen to the bottom of their shafts or the windows will only go down to about 8 inches from the sill (luckily the storm windows are fully intact)… Can anyone recommend someone who has experience in these tyoes of repairs?
actually, it sounds like your problem is easy to fix.
on the each side of your window (where the window sash goes up and down), there are the pockets which hold your chain + weights. near the bottom there should be about a 1-foot section of wood that you can open up. This is where you access your weights.
I bet you could find something (either a string or wire) to push down the shaft til you see it in your opening, then reattach it to your weights.
For the ones that dont close all the way, the weight is probably stuck somewhere. I noticed in one of my shaft pockets, the weight from one sash was moving over into the area for the other weight. This may have happened with yours too. Once you open that access area, though, you should be able to figure it all out yourself.
Good luck!
I have had similar problems finding people to repair (NOT replace) my old wooden weight/chain windows. After months of searching, I have finally decided to repair them all myself, even the ones with rotten wood. I have researched and found out how to do it, and now I’m just waiting for the supplies to come in the mail.
I know I’m probably in for a lot of work, but I think it’s worth restoring rather than replacing with inferior windows.
Here is some required reading for anyone who wants to restore wood windows: Working windows by Terry Meany.
http://www.amazon.com/Working-Windows-Revised-Updated-Restoration/dp/1592287085
This is the definitive guide to window restoration for the layman. I feel strongly that nothing can replace a wood window like wood window. It may be practical to replace the sash with an insulated unit and leaving the box (with the weights) in tact. Try Mega Glass on fifth and Bergen.
Gosha,
My preference at this point would be to find someone to do the repairs. Anyone have any recommendations?
First off, fixing such old windows is most likely more expensive then replacing them with new modular windows, that can be made to look very similar to what you currently have.
I think it’s time for you to replace your windows with the more modern GlassPack type. Modern windows are made of a vacuum sealed 2 or more pieces of glass, that is very good at keeping heat where it belongs.
You will definitely notice a considerable improvement in your heating bills and will stop throwing money out the window with the escaping heated air in the winter or cooled air in the Summer.
You do not have to do all windows in one shot(although it will be cheaper in the long run). For now you can just replace the broken ones and see how much of a difference that makes.
I know a good, reasonably priced place for modern windows. They are called Windows R Us (in Bay Ridge).