PRICE GUIDE CONTACT GLASS AND GLAZING SPIRAL BALANCES REPUTTY WINDOWS WINDOW CLEANING ROT REPAIRS REFERENCES HOW-TO VIDEOS
HOW TO INSTALL SASHCORDS
We do both sash cords and spiral balances in double hung windows
In this page we have included information for the DIY home handyman.
Sash cords take on average 11 minutes per cord, i.e. 45 minutes per window, costing $180, less discount for volume.
Below are some steps helpful to change the cords yourself.
To determine the difference between sash cords and spiral balances, see here.
See Six Steps to change chords below.
SASHCORDS VS SPIRAL BALANCES
Sashcords are the ropes in timber sash windows.
If it’s a black plastic pipe instead of ropes, see “Spiral Balances Install”
See PRICE GUIDE link if you are getting someone to do them.
VIDEOS
Changing ropes in the top sash
Restore free function to the top sash
TOOLS
CHOICE OF NAILS – 25 x 2mm gal. 3 each side.
“MOUSE” AND RIGID SCRAPER
FEED THE NEW ROPE
Use the “mouse” to FEED the new cord through, via the “box cover”. The entire job revolves around opening the box cover (video) and requires some confidence and strong manipulation to release.
TIPS
It can help to cut the end of the new rope so it is not “fluffy”.
Having the string ON TOP of the cord when feeding in helps the rope pull into the pulley
Video “How-To-Change- sashcords”.
A standard scraper is too flexible to open the stop and parting beads.
CUT LINE DOWN THE STOP BEAD WITH A BLADE
This may help the stop bead come away in a smooth line sometimes.
TERMS
STOP BEAD
PARTING BEAD
Separates the bottom and top sashes, alas “parting bead”.
TO SAVE PAINTING
Lay off the stop bead and parting beads with “No More Gaps” using a saturated wet rag.
ISSUES AND 5 STEPS TO CHANGE SASHCORDS
An experienced tradesman will probably take on average about 11 minutes a cord to change over sashcords.
AVOID THIN REPLACEMENT SASHCORD
Thin (6mm or 7mm) cord has a tendency to jump off the pulley.
CHANGING CORDS ISN’T RESTORING FUNCTION
If you are painting soon, ask someone to ‘do what is needed’ rather than just saying ‘sashcords’. For example, you may want the top sash to work again.
Weights may be wrong; seven layers of paint in the track may inhibit movement; beadings may need a change.
WINDOW REPAIRS AREAS COVERED
Randwick, Coogee, Maroubra, Malabar, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Edgecliff, Double Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Paddingon, Centennial Park, La Perouse, Dover Heights, Elisabeth Bay, Potts Point, Eastlakes, Botany, Mascot, Newtown, St. Peters, Enmore, Five Dock, Ultimo, Marrickville, Drummoyne, Annandale, Leichhardt, Erskinville, Stanmore, Petersham, Camperdown, Haberfield, Ashfield, Croydon, Croydon Park, Burwood, Summer Hill, Auburn, Kingford, Pagewood, Summer Hill,
HERE ARE THE STEPS
STEP 1
8mm sash cord rope is optimum rather that 6 or 7mm.
French windows (heavy) which go down to the floor, use 10mm.
STEP 2
Using a box cutter, cut a line in the paint down the stop bead and remove the first stop bead, cutting the other cord if only one was broken.
STOP BEAD
STEP 3
Lift the entire sash out, then dislodge the second beading, the parting bead, and you will discover the “box cover” which you gently prise out at its bottom.
STEP 4
A thin string with a small weight is fed down from the pulley which is attached to your new cord. Lead or lead fishing balls are best.
Run the string across to the other side of the window, preferably after you have taken the weights out on both sides. Knot the rope into each weight with a double knot, cutting the first rope a foot down from the pulley.
STEP 5
It’s sometimes worth checking the comparative weight of the removed sash, and the weight of the combined weights of the window. Add lead to balance. This occurs sometimes with someone putting heavier glass in once before, which is common.
Old homes had 2mm glass, and if changed subsequently, became 3mm glass. It could be a lot if sound reduction glass has been installed.
STEP 6
Squirt into the pulleys with WD40 for the squeaking noise.
MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM – WRONG WEIGHT
Cords are fine but the window won’t stay up. The proverbial stick holding the window.
HOW TO FIX
A lot of people don’t realise that the reason a window won’t stay up is due to incorrect weights, even though both sashcords are still intact.
ADDING WEIGHT
To add weight, one or both cords have to be cut.
ONE CORD
If it is only a small disparity, just one cord will do; the side that seemed to drop more than the other. Try for 2 kgs of lead.
Insert additional weight onto the NEW rope before tying in the pre-existing cast iron weight.
BOTH CORDS
If the weight was radically wrong, both cords.
UNUSUAL SASHCORD SYSTEMS
See blog for more videos.
Weights only on one side
Guillotine timber sashcord windows
Windows where no box cover was present to access the weights. Guillotine windows are windows which completely recess down into the wall cavity.
NEW WEIGHT
A roll of lead flashing, minimum $45 for 10 kgs at the hardware. No other solution, except to drive to Rockdale after weighing your sash on bathroom scales, and buying equivalent weights as I just had to do for a job in Darling Point that required 10 kgs for a single sash.
Heritage Building Centre, 432b Botany St., Rockdale 9567 1322
www.heritagebuilding.com.au
The best time to repair windows is before the painters and bathroom/ kitchen installations, seen here in Darling Point.
MAKING ADDITIONAL WEIGHT FROM LEAD FLASHING
Extend the flashing and roll lead around TWO pieces of sashcord, tapping with a rubber mallet until the thickness ends up the same as the sash weight that came out and roll the result in Duct tape.
Saw to weight, giving yourself an assorted selection.
Balance sides on the scales and fit.
BALANCING THE SASH WEIGHTS
Half each side.
LAYING OFF STOP BEADS
Use “No More Gaps” down the replaced stop beadings with a wet rag to save any painting.
SETTING THE NAIL POSITIONS
See How-To-Videos on setting the rope lengths for the nails in for both the lower and upper sashes.
Function to the top sash will allow hot air in the room to escape, vital for shower areas to help prevent mould.
FRICTION STAYS
Friction stays relate to timber windows that hinge from the top
ROT REPAIR
Unexpected discoveries often arise when addressing double hung windows; particularly rot damage.
See the Rot Repair link for more gallery photos
84 CARRINGTON RD COOGEE – A RECENT JOB
This job required Changing all old sashcords, restore top sash function throughout, 20 panes of glass, and rot repair damage as above, where needed to 12 units corner Carrington and Coogee Bay Roads, Coogee.
Both the top, and the bottom sashes now work completely, allowing the best of ventilation throughout each unit.
HOW TO CHANGE SASHCORDS
Thank you for viewing this page.
Trevor Pittman
AABAKAN GLASS
0416 0416 12