Buckaroo5
Well-known member
I am working on double hung windows in a 100 year old house. Most of the sash cords are broken and I was considering using chain rather than rope. Any reason not to?
Restoring Double Hung Windows
- Thread starter Buckaroo5
- Start date
Danno1
Well-known member
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When I did mine (years ago) I used nylon sash cord to replace the cotton sash cord. Never broke another one.
But I kinda did want chain. Just never bothered...
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When I did mine (years ago) I used nylon sash cord to replace the cotton sash cord. Never broke another one.
But I kinda did want chain. Just never bothered...
.
billconner
Well-known member
I switched to chain in a 1904 house. Found a company that made the galvanized weatherstripping. Lots of reglazing. Big job.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
If you use sash chain. Other types of chain not so much
Wrench97
Well-known member
When I was a kid my dad replaced the sash cord on a late 1700's early 1800's farm house we had, used the cotton cord, my uncle was trying to talk him into chain dad said the cotton will be here long after I'm gone he sold the house 15 years later and moved so I guess he was right.....
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I thought I responded to this yesterday but I don't see a post...anyway, I'd stick with regular old sash cord. The originals presumably lasted for most of those 100 years, so the replacement cords will still be there long after you're gone. It's what I use in my house whenever I have to repair a window (I have Andersen windows, original to the 1913 structure.)
Fav Onefour
Well-known member
I have not used chain. Do you need different rollers?
I redid all the windows in one of our houses using regular sash cord. Two of the rollers were shot and replacing those was more work than doing cords. The home was built in 1914 and the windows are all original. Not sure how often the cords had been replaced? I had six broken cords in 28 double hung openings.
BTW, if you are already doing one cord in an opening, just do all of them. Cord is cheap. Make sure you get the right size.
I redid all the windows in one of our houses using regular sash cord. Two of the rollers were shot and replacing those was more work than doing cords. The home was built in 1914 and the windows are all original. Not sure how often the cords had been replaced? I had six broken cords in 28 double hung openings.
BTW, if you are already doing one cord in an opening, just do all of them. Cord is cheap. Make sure you get the right size.
Good point about size - I was figuring they were all 1/4".? The opportunity for the knots on the weights to become untied is the reason I was considering chain along with the longevity. This is my son's house but I did a number of windows in a house I owned in the '80's - 90's and used cotton cord so I know how much effort is required - for me, this will be a long term effort including reglazing/repainting the windows. The windows have frosted pain outlines on the upper sashes which I think are very cool - my old house had leaded upper sashes and I love these older architectural details. My son bought in the same neighborhood where we used to live. The cost of cord vs chain is minimal compared to the effort. Also, the roller question is getting to the root of my original post. Does sash chain require different roller? This is the sash chain I was considering....
Everbilt #35 x 100 ft. Zinc Plated Steel Sash Chain 806600 - The Home Depot
Prevent tear of your leather or canvas items with the help of Everbilt Zinc Plated Steel Sash Chain-quality marine hardware.
www.homedepot.com
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I'm thinking if they originally had rope, I would stay with rope. I think chain in a rope pulley may be a let down ( as in rough operation )
I am not saying it will, but I would try 1 before you commit to all of them , just to be sure
wood02
Well-known member
I used nylon rope. House was built in 1925. It has (13) - 64" double hung windows. I used 2" pvc pipe and cut the pipe to fit in the "air gap". I dropped the weight inside of the pipe then packed insulation around the pipe still allowing the weight to do it's job. I do not use the upper part of the window. House was originally heated with coal. The 9 ft. ceilings (I think) was an effort to allow the fumes that may have collected in the house from the coal and then the double hung window came into play (upper window lowered). I did this in 1992. I have not had a problem with them "yet" and do not expect any in my lifetime.