Um, I'd like to retract my "retraction" and replace it with a "contraction."
Duh.

-J.


"Jason Roberts" wrote in message
...
I took a closer look at the windows and some of the solutions suggested.

The windows appear to be retrofitted with plastic channels and springs. If
I pry the channel away from the side of the frame, I can clearly see the
holes where sash cords once were. The springs ride along slots in the back
of these channels.

On the back of these channels, I can see the springs, but no adjusting
mechanism as was suggested via a private response. (Thanks, Bill!)

I went to Home Depot (I know of no smaller, local hardware stores in the
area anymore), and all three of the salesmen I asked had no clue as to
what "spring steel" was. (Thanks, Ransley!) No big surprise there. Their
suggestion was to replace the windows. Side rant: When Home Depot first
opened, didn't they have people who were actual home repair experts, and
not just clones of Wal-mart associates?

As was pointed out, springs do not have constant force, like sash weights
do. If the windows fell, you'd think there wasn't enough tension on the
springs. If the windows always jumped up, you'd think there was too much
tension. (Thanks, Bob!) Since the windows always went to the middle,
though, it seemed to me to be not a tension issue, but one of friction, as
was suggested before. The windows were moving too freely (which, come to
think of it, also explains all the rattling on windy days).

Here's what I did. I pried the plastic channels away from both sides of
the frame and slipped very thin shims behind them, in essence tightening
up the frame to the sashes just enough to create a bit of friction. After
some trial-and-error, I found the right width so that the windows open and
close easily, but only when I actually move them. Not sure whether it will
work the same way through seasonal expansion and retraction, but as of
right now this simple fix seems to be doing the trick.

Thanks for the help, guys.

--
-J.

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"Jason Roberts" wrote in message
...
We have wooden spring-loaded double-hung windows that will stay neither
open nor closed. Unless they're locked, the top sash will fall and the
bottom sash will jump to near the center of the frame.

What is it that causes this? I understand older windows with sash weights
and how to repair them, but I don't know how spring-loaded windows are
balanced and why they would do this. I mean, if the spring weren't strong
enough I would expect them to fall, and if the spring were too strong I
would expect them to not stay closed, but what would cause the sashes to
go to the center like this?

We rent, but this is not a priority for our landlord (who lives on the
opposite coast). I am capable of doing most home repair myself and have
been able to deduct the cost, when reasonable, from my rent in the past,
but again the landlord will not see this as a necessary repair and won't
want to pay too much. Bottom line: I'm looking for a cheap fix.

Thanks!

--
-J.

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