Recognize these old double hung windows?
I bought this house that was constructed in 1988. Currently remodeling. So these are the original wooden double hung windows. Was going to replace some cracked and fogging panes. Also see if possible to make balances work again, as most do not.
Trying to determine how to remove these window sashes. At this point, I believe both sashes have to be removed will still installed in the plastic jambs. Which requires removal of interior window stops (moulding.
· These sashes do not tilt out.
· There are no release buttons or levers.
· The side jambs do not deflect outward to allow the sash to be titled.
House was built in 1988, original wooden double hung windows. Was going to replace some cracked and fogging panes. Also see if possible to make balances work again, as most do not. I have not found any markings to identify manufacturer thusfar.
Balances appear to be an approximately ¼” diameter coil expansion spring, clipped or nailed to the top of the PVC jamb. Fully retracted (or not stretched or expanded, if you will) length of these springs are 28” including a white plastic mechanism attached to end. See “Photo 1 Ends of Spring Balances in Side Jamb” and “Photo 2 Window Balance End Mechanism Closeup” and “Photo 3 Spring Clipped over Top End of Side Jam”. These end mechanisms of the spring balances are only visible because however they attach to the sides of each sash has broken. When they are visible and exposed in the side jambs with both sashes closed in normal position, that means they are no longer attached to their respective sashes and do not function at all. I found two broken white plastic “clips” laying in the bottom of the side jambs. See “Photo 5 Broken Clips”.
Bottom of the white plastic side jambs appear to lift free of the outer window casing (or perimeter “shell”) with lower sash raised. I only see a single staple holding the top of the side jambs to the outer window casing. One other note there is a metal clip or “staple” in the bottom ends of both upper and lower sashes, See “Photo 4 Metal Clip or Staple on Bottom of Sashes”
Overall window dimension are approximately 61” x 28”.
If anyone could please confirm the correct sash removal procedure, I would be extremely grateful. If you can identify the balances, that would also be very helpful. I have not seen anything like them on Swisco, Blaine Window, or several other similar sites.
Thanks so much for your help!
Replies
Nope, sorry. Maybe someone else will.
I know these windows, but damn if it wasn’t several yrs ago.....
Do you see any letters, code, etc on the glass (usually in a corner) or on the metal spacer between the glass?
I’ll hunt through old job descriptions in my files which I’ve been shredding from the 70’s........damn fun going through those........let me hunt and see.
Well,
Searched the remaining files and scanned the QB’s invoice files......found no job for Bill Connolly......a painter I must have done a trade with as there’s no invoice to be found. That goes back to when I switched to QB from 3 part carbon. I’m not looking through the day books at that time period.
I seem to remember he found the parts for his windows and so I left any info with him I’m sure.
Also think it was a Michigan window company......
And maybe it was Simonton........
I’ll keep thinking and looking.
Here’s something. Give Blaine a call. Hope you can still get a human being (if they’re there). They’ve been great help in the past. Tell them what you have and see what happens.
And I’m remembering that some of those vinyl liners slide down and toward the other side with both sash up. This allows the removal of the sash. Now, if that’s the case......think through this so the sash don’t knock you out!
Best of luck, sorry for the no real help.
There is a SM - 87 stamped in one of the metal frames around the pane.
Thanks everybody.
Bottom of the white plastic side jambs appear to lift free of the outer window casing (or perimeter “shell”) with lower sash raised. I only see a single staple holding the top of the side jambs to the outer window casing. One other note there is a metal clip or “staple” in the bottom ends of both upper and lower sashes, See “Photo 4 Metal Clip or Staple on Bottom of Sashes”
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“. And I’m remembering that some of those vinyl liners slide down and toward the other side with both sash up. This allows the removal of the sash. Now, if that’s the case......think through this so the sash don’t knock you out! “
Did you check to see if the plastic jamb liner could slide down ?
seems to me the sash comes out when you push "out" on both sides of the vinyl jamb liner at the top rail of the bottom sash, you tilt out the top rail of the lower sash and you can then "unhook" the balances - can't remember where I dealt with windows like that, but I remember taking out some like that. just watch out for the spring to "snap" up when it's unhooked.
if you have some that aren't working, probably try on those 1st
the SM-87 might mean they were made in 87 (?)
good luck
I couldn’t let this one go, that nagging need to find an answer. Not onsite and hands on,
.
google.
So I tried these words:
How to remove vinyl jamb liner
Might be this.........?
https://thecraftsmanblog.com/how-to-work-with-vinyl-jamb-liners/
Thanks Calvin, I would agree that article seems to be the best how-to for these windows. I am about to work on them today, so I will keep everybody posted.
You’d better report back, I need a memory refresher!
It looks like "Sun" brand window. My father was a dealer. They are made in Owensboro, KY. https://www.sunwindows.com The company has has several names: Anderson--(not to be confused with Andersen), AnderSUN, now SUN windows. They usually have a distinctive rectangular latch and a groove in the bottom for a sash lift. The factory had fire at some point so some old parts are limited. Their customer service department sent me some parts a few years ago. Sometimes the latch has Sun or a sun logo engraved in the top. Hope this helps.
Chris