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Windows · Replaceable part

Sash that will not stay up

Balance hardware, not the window. On most vinyl and aluminum units it is a replaceable part.

Quick answerA single- or double-hung sash stays open because balances in the side jambs carry its weight. When a balance wears out, breaks or comes unhooked, the sash slides down or drops shut. On most vinyl and aluminum windows the balance is a replaceable part sold by type and size. On older wood windows it’s usually a broken sash cord. Either way, it’s a repair, not a reason to replace the window.

A falling sash is also a safety problem. It can drop on fingers, and it can’t be propped reliably for ventilation. Don’t wedge it with a stick for months. Fix the balance.

Two adjoining painted house fronts with rows of white-framed sash windows
Sash windows ride on balances or cords in the side jambs. When one won’t stay up, that hardware is the part to replace. Photo by Eleonora Patricola on Unsplash.

1Why the sash won’t stay up

  • Worn balance. Springs weaken with age and stop carrying the sash weight.
  • Broken or disconnected balance. A shoe or hook has slipped out of place, often after the sash was tilted in for cleaning.
  • Broken sash cord. On older wood windows, the cord to the hidden counterweight has snapped.
  • Wrong balance. A previous repair used a balance rated for a different sash weight.

2How to check what you’re dealing with

  1. Look at the jambsTubes, metal channels or coiled ribbons in the side tracks are balances. Pulleys near the top of the frame mean cords and weights.
  2. Check both sidesOften only one side has failed. The sash may sit crooked.
  3. Find a labelMany balances have a code stamped on them that identifies the replacement part.
  4. Note the makerLook for the window brand on the glass spacer or frame. It helps find the right part.

3Fixing it

Do it yourself

  • Re-hook a balance that came loose after tilting the sash
  • Order a matching balance by its stamped code or measurements
  • Replace balances in pairs so both sides lift evenly

Hire a pro

  • You can’t identify the balance type or find the part
  • It’s an older wood window with cords and weights
  • The window is upper-story or large and heavy
  • The frame or jamb is damaged
Springs and lead paint

Some balances are under spring tension and can snap back when released. Follow the part maker’s instructions. On older wood windows in a pre-1978 home, paid work that disturbs paint should be done by a lead-safe certified firm.

4What drives the cost

The balance type, how easy the part is to find, how many windows need it, and whether the window is a modern unit or an older wood window with cords and weights. Ask whether the quote is per window or per balance.

Windows cost

Can’t find the right balance?

Talk to a window contractor who repairs windows, not just replaces them.

877-360-4657

5Questions

Do I need a new window?

No. A sash that won’t stay up is a hardware problem. The balance can be replaced.

Should I replace one balance or both?

Both, in most cases. Matched balances keep the sash lifting evenly.

Can old cord-and-weight windows be fixed?

Yes. Sash cords can be replaced and the original weights reused.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.

877-360-4657