How can I fix my window

October 5, 2023 11:17 AM

I have a window that doesn't stay up. There are two metal pieces that seem to have come unattached. What do I do?

In the pictures of the window, the long metal pieces on the side in the red or green boxes are just dangling loosely between the space between the frame and window. I can pull them all the way out. I think that is the reason why the lower pane of the window just falls down when pushed up. We're using toy frogs to hold it up at the moment.

Where do the metal pieces go? What is this type of window called? What are those pieces called? Can it be fixed?

I'm pretty handy, but haven't ever repaired a window like this before and this is the only such window in the house, so I can't compare to anything.

posted by msbrauer to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

Best answer: Those are called "single hung windows" and the metal pieces are referred to as "balances". if they are actually broken you need to buy new ones, I can't tell from the pictures. There are a zillion youtube videos that tell you how to replace them.
posted by Dr. Twist at 11:49 AM on October 5, 2023

Best answer: Window balances 101
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:11 PM on October 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: That gets me on the right track. Thank you!
posted by msbrauer at 3:20 PM on October 5, 2023 [1 favorite]

I'm sure there's a right way to fix this. I have a million other things to take care of, so I got some spring-loaded curtain rods and use one to keep the window up. Works.
posted by theora55 at 7:29 PM on October 5, 2023

Response by poster: Turns out mine just needed some lubricant. All components were intact but the pulleys would barely budge. Got some silicone spray as recommended in a bunch of videos and that did the trick. Now there's a little squeaking which should be taken care of with a little candle wax on the channel that the window slides in.
posted by msbrauer at 11:23 AM on October 6, 2023

I was really hoping that the answer was to get more frogs in different sizes so you can prop it open at different heights. Glad you figured out the right way.
posted by CathyG at 9:43 PM on October 8, 2023 [2 favorites]