I used this video to replace mine and it was a big help. Two bits of feedback though: 1. You didn't mention that this is only applicable to Anderson windows (which I have) and 2. You edited out the removal of the top molding, so one second it's there and the next it's removed. I found that I had to pry the top of the molding away slightly to release the top plastic cover panel and gain access to the balancers.
Very helpful video. Our Anderson Windows are about 30 years old and the sash cords have been breaking for the past ten years or so. The vinyl around our windows is old and brittle. Not at all flexible like the ones shown in the video. I have to remove BOTH left side vinyl panels in order to more easily access and remove the header panel. I am afraid that if I flex the header as shown in the video I would destroy it. On one window I even had to remove the RIGHT side panel or I would never have gotten the header off. Other than that. It went pretty smoothly. We're doing about 17 windows out of 39 in the house. It gets easier with each window.
This video saved us so much hassle! We needed to remove our windows to fit a very long cabinet into our bedroom that could not be accomplished through the hall. Thank you for sharing it!
I love those older windows, where you can take out the sashes and repair what you need to, unlike the crap you always get today where it is one unit and if it breaks, you have to replace the whole thing. Replacing a balancer is better than replacing an entire window.
Excellent video, but some minor details. Raise both sashes to take the left side screws out, but you have to lower both sashes to get to two screws at the upper end of the track, too. I had to take out the upper side track as well. It only had one big screw, but it had 'fins' that were fitted into vertical crevices in the wood frame. At first I thought "oh no, some idiot glued it in", but it simply needed to be wiggled a bit to get it out. Also, my top molding only had three screws, but it had a slight lip in the front that wrapped over the upper wood frame and I had to slightly pry the window trim out in order to get the upper molding over that lip in the front. And I reiterate what Tom said about holding those cords tight. They are under a LOT of tension. I really don't recommend using pliers, just get a good grip with your hands. Thank you Tom, you are awesome as always!
My windows are all aluminum side sliding, seems to eliminate all these problems and since they're double pane and over 50 years old I guess you can say they're time tested.
There appears, on one of my windows with 2 broken top strings, to also be a second spring somewhere pulling the bottom window shut. But I do not see any strings on the bottom that pulls the window closed. Where is the second spring set?
lucky you, your windows are installed with screws. i don't see how i can access any of this stuff without breaking the frame around the window and possibly the double-pane glass itself. i also don't know what the sliding lever on the top of the window frame is supposed to do. just discovered the window hanging at an angle and the cord and metal "channel" on the left side fallen down. so far no search results for this type of system regarding our outrageously double-pane windows, which turned out to not cut down on noise after all.
I have Malta windows and I cannot figure out how to take the wooden sashes out to repair and paint. There are no latches or screws on the inside of the jamb/plastic rail guides, like the Andersen windows have. Cannot find anything on RU-vid or Google. Nothing. House built in 1994.
Don Meyers : You are nothing but wrong, old man! You don’t know the first thing there is to know about windows. I’m surprised you know how to turn a computer on let alone comment on RU-vid.
I cannot find any videos on how to remove a Malta double hung window sash!!!! If anyone knows of any, please reply!!! It is not the type you can tilt in to clean.
So in order to find out what type of balancer I need I have to disassemble the window? Oh boy! Then hope I can find the correct part at Home Depot or order them from online.....sigh.
caw485 if you have Anderson windows, there is a video on how to ID what kind it is on Anderson's RU-vid channel. These are Anderson Narrowline window, this vid is similar to the Anderson vid on replacement but doesn't list what else you may need to replace - the vinyl piece on the side and header, but u might not need to.
Another aspect which you may run into, is if whatever make it is, that window maker has gone out of business, depending on when the house was built. And finding their spring kits is like finding Unicorn eggs. :)
Agreed. I grew up with the old sash weight system that did not require moving everything. Now that I learn this is the new way, I am like, why? This is going to be a very cumbersome repair.
