Over time the cords from your sash windows will wear down and eventually break.Even if only one of your cords breaks, both should be replaced.  Waxed sash cording can normally be found in stores in standard hanks, however some more specific suppliers may sell it by the meter. Each sash will require 2 lengths of cording, of about 3/4 the height of your window.

  • You will need to lower both of the sashes down and cut the cords with a knife to let go of the weights. Hold onto the cords and lower the weights as far as you can before allowing them to drop.
  • Then use a wide paint scraper to prise the side staff beads within the frame, bending them until the mitred end spring outwards.
  • Take the inner sash and lean it towards you, marking the ends of the cord’s grooves onto the face of the sash stiles.
  • Next, reposition and carry the sash to the marks on the pulley stiles. This now enables the sash to be pulled clear of the frame.
  • Use care and prise out each of the 2 parting beads from their stile grooves. You can now remove the top sash, marking the groove ends, and place the sashes inside.
  • To get to the weights, take out the pocket pieces, trapped by the parking beads, and lift them through the openings.
  • In most cases, pieces of thin wood, or parting strips, will be hung inside the box stiles to keep each pair of weights separated. You will need to push these strips aide to get to the outer weights.
  • Remove the old cords from the weights, and prepare the wood for the new cords.
  • The top sash will be fitted first, but not before the weights are all in place. Clean any build-up or residue paint off the pulleys and tie a piece of string to one end of the sash cording.
  • Weight the other end of the string with a small piece of chain, thread the weight, and pull the string through the opening until the cord is pulled through.
  • Attach the cord to the wight with a knot.
  • Pull the cord and raise the weight up the pulley and then let it drop back down about 4 inches. Hold it at this position by putting a nail into the pulley. Cut the cord with the mark on the pulley stile.
  • Repeat for the cord on the other side and the bottom sash.
  • Replace the top sash of the sill, lean it towards yourself, and find the cords in the grooves. Nail the cords into place, using 1 inch round wire nails. Nail only the bottom 6 inches, do not go all the way up. Lift the sash so you can check the weights.
  • Replace the pocket pieces, pin the parting beads back into their grooves. Fit the final and bottom sash in, and replace the staff beads. You have no re-corded you sash window.