On 09/07/11 4:10 PM, teabird wrote:
Hello,

I have several wood windows that need replacement parts. The aluminum
tracks on the sides and the aluminum strip along the base and side to
stop air infiltration. They are about 40 years old.

I have asked around the home center and lumber supplier and everyone
tells me I need to know the manufacturer. I've had the windows out of
the openings and tracks removed, and can't see a manufacturer's
mark. I've performed web searches and find wood windows with ropes
and pullies, and newer 2x glaze, al clad or low maintenance plastic
window parts. My windows seem to be in between these in technology.

Does anyone know where or how to find these parts?

TIA,

John


A picture would be worth a national debt worth of words.

That said, I used to have wood windows with aluminum tracks and spiral
balances, similar to those shown here, but much, much older. They were
in the house when I moved in close to 25 years ago, and they were old then.

http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2011/0...ce_s3x4_lg.jpg

(I replaced all of my windows with VRW a few years back, otherwise I'd
post a picture of what I had)

Anyway, I remember replacing a couple of the tracks when the spiral
balances broke.

One of the big box stores that was around at the time (not an HD or
Lowes) carried universal spring-loaded tracks. The right side was just a
set of tracks that screwed into the rough opening.

The left side was a "double layered track" with springs inside it. You
pushed the left side of the sash against the spring-loaded track and
compressed it until you could swing the right hand side into the other
track. When you released the pressure, the springs held the sash firmly
in the tracks and the resistance held it in whatever position you wanted
it.

I Googled around trying to find them but I didn't have any luck.

If they're still available, they might work for you.