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Sash Weights

10/7/15       
gary

I need to build real double hungs that would be 42" wide by 40" high and am concerned with having enough room for weights to travel. I typically use steel dowels for weights but will consider lead if needed. Anyone know of a formula for this application? 1/8" glass in 1-1/2" thick sash. Thank you

10/7/15       #2: Sash Weights ...
Mark B Member

Wouldnt you just build the sash and weigh it and weight accordingly?

Old weighted sash, to my knowledge, were never very accurately counter-weighted.

Id think a trip to a local scrap yard may find you some adequate weights. If your pockets are too small to accommodate iron weights Id worry that steel weights would get too long for the window opening if the sash are at all wide.

10/8/15       #3: Sash Weights ...
Dennis Bean  Member

Website: http://www.saliceamerica.com

Gary,

Your post caught my attention due to a project I undertook a few years ago. While renovating an older home in Cleveland, Ohio I found it necessary to replace the sash weights in a few of the windows. That's when I found Torch Hardware.

This is one of those old-time, inner city hardware stores with well worn wooden floors and hardware bins stacked to the tin plate ceiling. It’s a pretty cool place.

In their basement, they have piles of lead sash weights of all sizes and descriptions. I found what I needed for my project after rummaging around for awhile.

Torch is located on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio. I don’t know if you ever get to Cleveland but I have put the link to their web site below…nothing fancy. You will find their phone number here too. Be sure to check out the link to "Meet Our Crew" for a laugh.

I just thought I would share this story.

Good luck in your project.

Torch Hardware Cleveland Ohio

10/8/15       #4: Sash Weights ...
Joe Calhoon

I think you are fine with single glaze. to get a rough idea go to the link. with 2 1/4" stiles - rails the glass weight would be about 15 lbs. Sash with glass will probably be about 23lbs plus or minus depending on wood species.
You could get more exact by weighing say a lineal foot of sash, meeting rail and bottom rail. Calculate the lineal feet in the sash and add the hardware weight.

We have run into this issue on historic renovation with insulated glass. By using larger pulleys a bigger section of weight can be used and that helps.

Too much or too little weight and you will have a self opening or closing window.

Weight of glass

10/8/15       #5: Sash Weights ...
Read

Gary,

I think you are concerned about the length of the weight and the length of travel.

Each sash needs to move approximately half th window height, 20 inches in your case. For the lower sash, the weight needs to be at the top close to the pulley and be able to travel vertically at least 20" before bottoming out in the weight pocket. The maximum allowable length of weight will be around 18 inches so you are not hard by the pulley.

A "standard" 12lb weight (half the sash weight) is less than 18" from memory. You shouldn't have a problem.

I have adjusted weights using heavy nuts from ship building.


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