AT: LA reader Mary writes:
I'm renting an old craftsman bunglaow from the 1920s with windows that slam shut if you leave them open without some random item wedged in. What is a nice looking, minimally invasive way to safely keep these windows nice and wide open. I've seen people drill a hole in the top and bottom and insert a pin which could work but i'm not that handy. I also have a 2 year old whose fingers could easily get slammed if the window accidently closes or she pushes the wedged item out. Help, It's hot here in Long Beach.
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Hi Mary, We think we have a solution for you but first we took some photos of our own windows to clarify the question that need to be answered first to solve the issue. Our question to you is do your windows have a wheel type looking piece of hardware toward the top like this photo?
These windows have a weighted pulley system inside the window frame, connected with cord pictured below, that should be connected. After years of wear and tear they often break as did in our place and a repair person has to come out and get into the window frame to replace the cord. Often times tenants cut the cord so you may not see that portion of it but the hardware at the top will be the indicator.
We suggest asking the landlord to have them repaired, especially since your situation with the two year old. We think if you frame it in a safety conversation/request they would be more apt to fixing without incident - No landlord wants a lawsuit on their hands when a child is involved.
We also received a great recommendation of a local company that should be able to help you out. We've had two co-workers use them and had great things to say about their work. Let us know how it turns out, landlord and repairs.
Castillo's Sash and Door
3363 Olive Ave
Signal Hill, CA
(562) 595-1555
When I was growing up, we always used wooden dowels to hold the windows open. You can get ones that fit snuggly in the space where the window slides, so that little fingers can't pry them out. If the windows are heavy enough to slam shut, the weight of the window should be enough to keep the dowels in place.
view MariahB's profile
Yes, I have had the same problem in my old apt. and i had wooden dowels cut to the length I needed at the hardware store. Then I put these in the crevice at the edge of the window. You can't see them then and they're free from prying fingers! Safe, functional AND pretty!
view shurraycmu's profile
Yep, I grew up around dowel-window-holder-openers and still have all 10 fingers :)
view sam's profile
Same problem!
I had a piece of .5''x1'' wood (left over from making my own canvas frames) that fits perfectly into the window track, it's the best way I've found without drawing notice to the problem. (especially if you take the extra effort to paint the same color as your window moldings)
Go get a piece or two cut at Home Depot (I suggest 2 seeing we all like our windows open at different heights at different times of the day)
view prettygritty's profile
Years ago I lived in a beautiful old apartment building with the same type of windows richele is talking about. The cords were all broken, and I had the same problem with them. I asked the landlord to fix them, and he responded by tearing the windows out and putting in cheap metal sliding windows from Home Depot or someplace. No more nice wood frames or windowsills.
So be aware that if you ask him to fix it, it could backfire on you. I still get bummed out every time I drive past the building.
view JyoJyo's profile
We had the same problem in our apartment. We called our maintenance guy and he changed out the metal cords, took him approximately 5 minutes.
JyoJyo--That is so sad. Your landlord obviously has no clue! Would have been much cheaper and easier to just replace the cords.
view theblt's profile
Yes, those old windows do use a cord and pully system and yes, they all do break from wear and tear (and age too).
I think this is not a difficult fix and I'm sure you can find a site online that will show you how. I've seen how it's done, but not in a long time and I was fortunate that when I had the old sash windows, the cords were replaced and I was then able to open them without worries.
Good luck with getting them repaired.
view ciddyguy's profile
I wish there was an easy, convenient way to fix these windows. I imagine there are many homeowners and landlords like JyoJyos. Every week in my neighborhood, wood framed windows are torn out and being replaced by vinyl windows.
view perejil's profile
If you go on the This Old House PBS program website there is a complete description and video of how to replace sash cords. I have replaced a window sash cord myself and it is fairly easy, perhaps you and/or your landlord can use the reference there to fix the problem. Otherwise, use dowels.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/doorswindows/article/0,26206,1186806,00.html
view John H's profile
You need some window jacks! My dad used to make them when I was a kid. I have the same window problem. I bought some from the Vermont Country Store recently and they come in unfinished pine so you can paint them if you like. Plus there are three notches so you can adjust the window height. Here's the link, and the'yre only $5.95/each! I usually use two per window because I'm paranoid my 14 cat will knock one out (so far, so good!).
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=7693&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=window jack
view KrapArtist's profile
You may want to try this:
http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/72-432-window-parts/wood-window-sash-spring-618058.aspx
I saw this on an episode of "House Detective" on HGTV. On the episode, it said you could use 1 or 2 per window. They used them on a cool Craftsman in the Bay Area. I have a 1920s bungalow also and plan to try them on one of my windows.
Hope that helps.
view NR's profile