"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"alta47" wrote:

I am trying to get some information on double-hung vinyl replacement
windows. What I am trying to learn about are the various mechanisms for
raising and lowering the window sashes.

Is it true that the trend is toward getting away from having any
mechanical
balances in vinyl replacement windows? Instead, I have heard that the
newer
vinyl replacement now use an adjustable friction type system with no
tubes
or spirals, etc.

I am wondering about this because I keep running into vinyl windows in
different properties where the "balances" (or whatever they are called)
are
broken, have missing parts, don't work correctly, etc. Yet, when I go to
websites like http://Pella.com I can't seem to find any clear information
there about this.

Dunno about vinyl, but I put in some white painted aluminum single-hungs
a few years ago, and they're friction. One nice thing about them is the
moving panel pops right out for easy cleaning of both sides of both
panes from inside the house.

Thanks. I'm glad to hear that the friction system works fine.

What I don't like about the systems with balances is that: the parts in
those mechanisms break; if I take the window sash out, it's a royal pain to
get it back in; trying to match up the pins on the window sash with the slot
in the balance is next to impossible; the balances are spring loaded and
sometimes snap up unexpectedly, etc.

So, I'm thinking, less moving parts means less chance for problems, and less
things to have to fix and put back together.