How to repair 18-20 yr.old single-pane windows w/ spiral rods on both sides of sash that won't stay open?

Question

Rods detached from inside of frame and appear to act as guides for the sash in the frame. They can be pushed up but don't stay in the frame. Windows will not stay open when raised.

Answer 1

The same spiral balances have been used in the window industry for many years. They are notorious for the type of problems you describe. Replacements are readily available and are fairly cheap.

Remove one of the failed balances and take it to any glass repair shop. Many of them will deep an assortment of the balances in stock. If not, they can order you the same balance. They will probably cost you about $15.00 apiece.

Check the other windows in your house. It could be that you have a window with the same size spiral balance that you rarely open. If so, you might want to swap the balances and save some money. Eventually you will likely have to buy some replacements.

Good luck with your problem.

Answer 2

They make replacement "kits" specifically for that, my suggestion would be to go to a local lumber yard or home depot, lowes your local yard may be more familiar with this that's why I suggest them. The kits couldn't be much easier to install, they will tell you what to measure and then order them, you basically take out the old spiral rods and these "snap" into place, they work very well, we have used them on many houses in the New england area, they also are usually wheather stripped so you will get less draft. Good luck

Answer 3

I has the same situation. Mine were aluminum framed circa 1970. I tried everything and wound up caving in and replacing the windows with new.

I got new ones installed for $185 each and they are double paned and do not conduct cold into the room like the aluminum did.

I know this doesn't fix your windows but I thought you might want to consider new ones.