The Sash That Won’t Stay Put
Even though the terminology may be unfamiliar, double-hung windows are almost certainly the most common type of home windows in use. These are the “over and under” type, with a sash at the bottom that slides up and a slash at the top that slides down. This classic type of window often has “mullions” that, in the case of older windows, separate the window into individual panes of glass. In new replacement windows, each sash typically has one large pane of glass and the mullions are simply decorative pieces that fit over the glass, giving it the appearance of individual panes. If you have double-hung windows, an issue that you might have experienced is a top sash that won’t stay up. As soon as you unlock the window, the top sash either slips down a few inches or even drops all the way. This could just be an annoyance or it could be something that is barely noticeable, until your heating and cooling bill comes in higher than normal and you realize that there’s a draft because you forgot to slide the sash back up that half an inch. A hundred years ago, an ingenious counter-weight system was used in most windows, with a weight, rope, and pulley inside the window frame. With lighter-weight, more efficient replacement windows, different systems were developed for keeping those top sashes up, with easier methods to fix or repair them if anything went wrong, rather than necessitating a disassembly of the window frame. If you have those old counter-weight windows in your home, or if your more recent windows just don’t perform well, look into new replacement windows from Renewal by Andersen. Higher efficiency and durability are just a couple of great reasons to consider window replacement. Call us today to learn more.