Sash cord replacement in Seattle

How a double-hung window's weight system works

Traditional double-hung windows balance each sash with a cast-iron or lead counterweight hidden inside the window jamb. A cotton or braided cord runs from the top of the sash, over a pulley, and down to that weight. When the cords are intact, the weight perfectly offsets the sash so it floats to any position you set it.

Over decades, those cords dry out, fray, and snap, usually at the pulley where they flex most. Once a cord breaks, the weight drops to the bottom of the pocket and the sash loses its balance. That's when windows start crashing shut, propping open with a stick, or refusing to move at all.

What our sash cord repair includes

• Careful removal of stop beads and the sash without damaging trim or finish
• Opening the weight pocket and retrieving or replacing the counterweights
• Installing new high-quality braided sash cord (or chain, where appropriate)
• Servicing or replacing seized pulleys
• Re-balancing both the upper and lower sash so each stays where you set it
• Reassembly, adjustment, and a smooth-operation check before we leave

Why not just replace the window?

A broken cord is a five-dollar part hidden behind a beautiful, century-old sash. Replacing the whole window to fix a cord means throwing away old-growth wood that outperforms anything sold today. Restoration costs less, preserves your home's character, and keeps the window repairable for the next hundred years.