sash window question

[MetManMark]

We have had a couple of quotes through from folk to repair our wooden singly glazed windows. They are a mix of casement at the front and sash at the back. Two of the sash windows have had security glass fitted so the weights aren't correct to balance the window. These windows will have the glass replaced with clear toughened glass as the windows go quite low to the floor. However, the chap that has been recommended to us has just given the quote. In it he stipulates that for these two windows he will fit sash springs. My gut feeling is that I would prefer the existing cords / balances to be reinstated repairing / adjusting as appropriate.
Springs sound like a modern cost saving option whereas I would prefer to keep it more traditional.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance
Mark

 

[Lime]

Springs are rubbish.
The two new windows fitted to my new extension only 6 years ago are starting to fail already.... and they don't open fully or overlap.

 

[LadyArowana]

If it was a whole new unit then I think I would go with the modern option, for something more in the nature of a repair, then keeping the traditional mechanism seems like the way to go. Assuming there are no listing considerations it's your decision, and your money. If you like the idea of keeping weights, then tell him that's what you want and unless he gives you some extremely persuasive reason stick to your choice.

 

[MetManMark]

The house is listed - because of the windows (presumably the stained glass parts - not the sash). The windows I am referring to are existing - we just want them to be fixed up. There are the cords (and hopefully the weights) in place so with a bit of luck they should work with appropriate glass fitted.
Thanks for your thoughts - you have confirmed that we should try to change it as little as possible.
Mark

 

[Feltwell]

Spiral balances vary in quality quite a lot I understand. You can get decent ones - I seem to remember that Biff Vernon uses balances on the windows he makes.

Personally, I'd rather see weights - and I very much doubt that your CO would be happy to see weights replaced with balances. I can't understand why anyone would want to do that anyway - when making a new window then fair enough, it's less work, but on an existing window? It's such a simple mechanism. The only point I can think of is if there isn't enough room in the sash box for the heavier weights that you need for your heavier-than-original glass. Many windows were made originally with cast iron round weights, you can replace those with square section lead weights that are a good bit heavier inch for inch and may mean that you can fit a heavier weight in the same sash box. If all else fails then using longer weights just means that you can't open the window as far. Mightons sell the square lead weights I think.

One break from tradition I would go with is to fit a modern synthetic fibre sash cord rather than the traditional hemp/jute cord that eventually rots and breaks. I'd also fit staff and parting beads with brush strip seals built in, keeps the draughts out and makes the windows slide a lot easier.

 

[MetManMark]

Thanks for that Feltwell. The tip about the cord is something that hadn't occurred to me. Regarding the draughtproofing - there had been a couple of people that had suggested this but we aren't convinced that the sash are particularly draughty and think that a bit of air flow is probably not a bad thing anyway.
We are thinking about installing shutters to keep the cold (winter) and light (summer) out but have yet to save the pennies or think how it could be done sympathetically.
Cheers
Mark

 

[AMc]

One huge advantage in my book is that traditional sash weight mechanisms are simple enough for me to maintain. I have a few originals with pulleys and a lot of replacement sashes with springs and I've no idea how to get them apart. My joiner friend reckoned there was probably a tool required but had a personal hatred of them and wasn't interested in taking them apart with me unless we planned on fitting new spring mechanisms (with instructions ).
You will probably need bigger weights with new glass - in my case we had to reglaze some windows and the original weights weren't enough to hold the window in position. We also struggled to put enough extra lead on the existing ones to balance the window, though it was possible and we had a lot of roofing lead offcuts to use.
If you are prepared to replace the weights then I would refurbish and refit rather than change to springs which will look different and less in keeping (IMHO).

When researching I did come across an American You Tube video that showed a pulley weight mechanism being replaced with a spring loaded pulley (like a retracting tape measure) but I've not seen them for sale here and again can't see an huge advantage if you already have the box in place.