Sash Window Quote

[wobs]

Had a quote for a new sash window, and said joiner quoted to do a spring sash rather than a traditional pulley system. What strange magic is this!?

Are they any good?
I think it might be that a double glazed sash with pulleys would have to be a thicker unit, and either protrude out or into the room, given the size of the double glaze units. It this realistic?

Are they more difficult to maintain and paint in the future?

House is a double bricked 1900s house.

 

[plasticpigeon]

A spiral balance perhaps?? I'm not keen, I much prefer the weights and pulleys, there is less friction and the spiral balances often break. However the weights have to be much bigger with double glazed sashes, so either need to be square in section to get the extra mass, or even made of lead of there is not enough space in the box for cast iron of the right weight. I've heard of block and tackle spring balances, these may be better than spirals but I've never seen one.

 

[kreyszig]

https://www.mightonproducts.com/products/sash-window-hardware/sash-balances

 

[dandrew]

If you are putting in a new window then I think that you'll be forced to go for a double-glazed unit to comply with building regs. There are slimline double glazed units available, but the rebate to accommodate any double glazed unit will be wider than that needed for single glazing. This will invariably increase the thickness of the sashes - your joiner should be able to tell you what the finished thickness of the window will be, so you can work out whether it will be too much for the depth of the reveal in the masonry.
Only listed buildings status will allow the conservation officer to trump building control I think.

David

 

[88v8]

... the weights have to be much bigger with double glazed sashes, so either need to be square in section to get the extra mass, or even made of lead of there is not enough space in the box ...

Yes. We had dg units - inch air gap - in our custom sash windows in our last house. Would go for slimline now with wavy glass but in those days I knew no better.
The sashes were heavy. I cast my own weights, as you say square and made of lead.
I used sash chain. Not cord.
I saw sash chains in Hampton Court. If they was good enough for King Enery, they's good enough for me.
https://www.mightonproducts.com/products/sash-window-hardware/sash-cord-and-chains/sash-chain-accessories?gclid=CK3IwrGPus4CFQSfGwodyJgGjQ

Need square pulleys.
https://sashweightsuk.co.uk/product/2-14-chrome-square-ended-sash-pulley-for-chain/

Brass pulleys also available with some extra Googling.

Ivor