How to Replace a Window Sash Spring Balancer | This Old House

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ต.ค. 2024
  • This Old House general contractor Tom Silva repairs a window that won't stay open. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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    Shopping List for Replacing a Window Sash Spring Balancer:
    spring balancers
    Tools for Replacing a Window Sash Spring Balancer
    pliers
    drill/driver
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    How to Replace a Window Sash Spring Balancer | This Old House
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ความคิดเห็น • 45

  • @jlpio
    @jlpio 10 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I used this video to replace mine and it was a big help. Two bits of feedback though: 1. You didn't mention that this is only applicable to Anderson windows (which I have) and 2. You edited out the removal of the top molding, so one second it's there and the next it's removed. I found that I had to pry the top of the molding away slightly to release the top plastic cover panel and gain access to the balancers.

  • @kent5651
    @kent5651 8 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Very helpful video. Our Anderson Windows are about 30 years old and the sash cords have been breaking for the past ten years or so. The vinyl around our windows is old and brittle. Not at all flexible like the ones shown in the video. I have to remove BOTH left side vinyl panels in order to more easily access and remove the header panel. I am afraid that if I flex the header as shown in the video I would destroy it. On one window I even had to remove the RIGHT side panel or I would never have gotten the header off. Other than that. It went pretty smoothly. We're doing about 17 windows out of 39 in the house. It gets easier with each window.

  • @watermanpowerwashingandlaw6159
    @watermanpowerwashingandlaw6159 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This video saved us so much hassle! We needed to remove our windows to fit a very long cabinet into our bedroom that could not be accomplished through the hall. Thank you for sharing it!

    • @taylarogers313
      @taylarogers313 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have to get a fridge through my kitchen window!!🤔🤔

  • @jacksparrow3619
    @jacksparrow3619 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video, but some minor details. Raise both sashes to take the left side screws out, but you have to lower both sashes to get to two screws at the upper end of the track, too. I had to take out the upper side track as well. It only had one big screw, but it had 'fins' that were fitted into vertical crevices in the wood frame. At first I thought "oh no, some idiot glued it in", but it simply needed to be wiggled a bit to get it out. Also, my top molding only had three screws, but it had a slight lip in the front that wrapped over the upper wood frame and I had to slightly pry the window trim out in order to get the upper molding over that lip in the front. And I reiterate what Tom said about holding those cords tight. They are under a LOT of tension. I really don't recommend using pliers, just get a good grip with your hands. Thank you Tom, you are awesome as always!

  • @shmaygersauto2888
    @shmaygersauto2888 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for the detailed repair, it's very helpful!

  • @ZacharySalman
    @ZacharySalman 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I love those older windows, where you can take out the sashes and repair what you need to, unlike the crap you always get today where it is one unit and if it breaks, you have to replace the whole thing. Replacing a balancer is better than replacing an entire window.

  • @RandallFlaggNY
    @RandallFlaggNY 7 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Excellent video. I have the same model of windows. Now I can do it myself! Thanks!

    • @twincherry4958
      @twincherry4958 ปีที่แล้ว

      They're charging me $1500 for 6 windows

  • @TNtoolman
    @TNtoolman 10 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Replacement for one window manufacturer... each window manufacturer seems to have their own system and hardware...

    • @kenibnanak5554
      @kenibnanak5554 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      And the only way to tell is to take the windows totally out. This is not a good project for a cold wintry or rainy day.

  • @wurly164
    @wurly164 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is an Anderson window, I have replaced these many times, there are different sizes depending on the size of window, they go by weights

    • @twincherry4958
      @twincherry4958 ปีที่แล้ว

      How do you know the size and weight?

    • @wurly164
      @wurly164 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@twincherry4958 hopefully a label is still inside the sash

  • @rawbacon
    @rawbacon 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My windows are all aluminum side sliding, seems to eliminate all these problems and since they're double pane and over 50 years old I guess you can say they're time tested.

  • @kenibnanak5554
    @kenibnanak5554 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    There appears, on one of my windows with 2 broken top strings, to also be a second spring somewhere pulling the bottom window shut. But I do not see any strings on the bottom that pulls the window closed. Where is the second spring set?

  • @bibbidi_bobbidi_bacons
    @bibbidi_bobbidi_bacons 7 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I thought proprietary cell phone chargers was annoying- I found a whole new annoyance

  • @jakejylar6
    @jakejylar6 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Those are my exact windows, what brand of window is it? I need to order my sash spring balancing system

    • @timd4200
      @timd4200 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think they are Anderson Narrowline window.

    • @chrisask2065
      @chrisask2065 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      No, they are Henry Davidson’s still waters. I seen the markings, I know

    • @donmeyers3090
      @donmeyers3090 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@chrisask2065 WROOONNNNG, buddy-boy!! They're Andersen. Stop the video at 6:49 and look at the "AW" Marking.

    • @chrisask2065
      @chrisask2065 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Don Meyers : You are nothing but wrong, old man! You don’t know the first thing there is to know about windows. I’m surprised you know how to turn a computer on let alone comment on TH-cam.

    • @beamng929eeee7
      @beamng929eeee7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@chrisask2065 Andersen windows sir

  • @carletonhoffman
    @carletonhoffman 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    lucky you, your windows are installed with screws. i don't see how i can access any of this stuff without breaking the frame around the window and possibly the double-pane glass itself. i also don't know what the sliding lever on the top of the window frame is supposed to do. just discovered the window hanging at an angle and the cord and metal "channel" on the left side fallen down. so far no search results for this type of system regarding our outrageously double-pane windows, which turned out to not cut down on noise after all.

  • @allnamesarepicked
    @allnamesarepicked 10 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    WHY is there a plastic sheet behind(on the exterior) of the top window?? Im from europe and we dont use anything close to this system

  • @Ragingmarmot
    @Ragingmarmot 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have Malta windows and I cannot figure out how to take the wooden sashes out to repair and paint. There are no latches or screws on the inside of the jamb/plastic rail guides, like the Andersen windows have. Cannot find anything on TH-cam or Google. Nothing. House built in 1994.

  • @icie4u
    @icie4u 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wonder what year these windows were manufactured?

    • @wurly164
      @wurly164 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      1980s

  • @lostintime8651
    @lostintime8651 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    $45 for a balancer?? I'll just drill out the old plug, tread string through and tie it off.

  • @Marsico76
    @Marsico76 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can the balances be repaired?

    • @gearboxobs419
      @gearboxobs419 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Marsico76 yes but your being sold to here they won't show that.

  • @SolitaryMaverick
    @SolitaryMaverick 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’m glad I don’t have these windows in my house. He had to take the window casing off.

    • @kenibnanak5554
      @kenibnanak5554 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Agreed. I grew up with the old sash weight system that did not require moving everything. Now that I learn this is the new way, I am like, why? This is going to be a very cumbersome repair.

  • @ohiodigger4391
    @ohiodigger4391 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is this the same repair for Pella windows?

  • @Ragingmarmot
    @Ragingmarmot 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I cannot find any videos on how to remove a Malta double hung window sash!!!! If anyone knows of any, please reply!!! It is not the type you can tilt in to clean.

  • @caw485
    @caw485 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    So in order to find out what type of balancer I need I have to disassemble the window? Oh boy! Then hope I can find the correct part at Home Depot or order them from online.....sigh.

    • @timd4200
      @timd4200 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      caw485 if you have Anderson windows, there is a video on how to ID what kind it is on Anderson's TH-cam channel. These are Anderson Narrowline window, this vid is similar to the Anderson vid on replacement but doesn't list what else you may need to replace - the vinyl piece on the side and header, but u might not need to.

    • @kenibnanak5554
      @kenibnanak5554 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Another aspect which you may run into, is if whatever make it is, that window maker has gone out of business, depending on when the house was built. And finding their spring kits is like finding Unicorn eggs. :)

  • @acknative1
    @acknative1 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Why did you take off the top casing of the window?