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| What do you prefer to use for replacement sash cords? I see the ads for the long-lasting metal chains, but if the rope has held for 90 years, I'm wondering whether metal is worth the investment. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Chains use slightly different pulleys. A rope pulley is a smooth groove, while chain pulleys originally had a groove in the surface to help guide the chain. Flat chain is not as dependent on the groove. |
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- Posted by badgergrrl (My Page) on Fri, Jul 8, 11 at 10:41
| Chains are noisier as well. Go with cotton or waxed cotton. |
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| Hi graywings, We're in the process of replacing our sash cords with chain...14 done, 10 to go. We have a carpenter doing it for us, and he fits rehabbing our windows in between his other jobs so the progress has been slow. So far, we've been really happy with the sash chains. I don't notice them being loud, and the windows open and close smoothly and effortlessly. Our pulleys are just ordinary pulleys that previously had cotton cord. I'm attaching an old thread that I started when we were thinking about getting started. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. |
Here is a link that might be useful: previous post
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| Arlosmom - thanks for linking that thread. I am really undecided about cord vs chain. Do you recall which of the sash chains you purchased from Kilian? I have been internet shopping around for the waxed cotton cord that badgergrrl mentioned. It seems to be sold by British dealers. I'm not seeing any US sites that sell it. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Kilian sash chains
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| We got the #25 solid bronze. Killian has been great to deal with. |
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- Posted by sacto_diane (My Page) on Sat, Jul 9, 11 at 11:19
| I'm in the cord camp and have switched from 100% cotton to Spot Cord. Still cotton but with a nylon core. Some of the local windows restoration folks sold me on spot cord. The nylon core gives the cord a longer lifespan but you get the cotton look/feel. Diane |
Here is a link that might be useful: Spot Cord
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- Posted by christophern (My Page) on Sun, Jul 10, 11 at 5:43
| I replaced all of mine, 23, with regular nylon rope. It will outlast my children and then some. |
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| "Still cotton but with a nylon core." This is the best stuff. |
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- Posted by columbusguy1 (My Page) on Sun, Jul 10, 11 at 14:34
| Cords with just nylon, I've read, will stretch over time, something you definitely don't want in sash weights! Go with the traditional cotton or 'spot cord'. I've not tried chains, but I don't see why a special pulley would be needed? |
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- Posted by carol_from_ny (My Page) on Sun, Jul 10, 11 at 18:28
| Instead of chains or rope I have a few windows with thinly cut sheeting of metal. At least the metal kept the nutjob who lived here before us from CUTTING the rope sashes which she did in almost every single room! |
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- Posted by columbusguy1 (My Page) on Sun, Jul 10, 11 at 19:54
| Carol, I'd wager the thin metal strips are 'spring balances' an entirely different system. Not seen them in action, but I think you can still get replacements if you need them. At least with those type, you can insulate the weight pockets! |
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| I doubt those sash cords are actually 90 years old! We replaced all the rope in our old place with flat brass chain. No problems with the pulleys, no noise, perfect function. In fact, I used to demonstrate raising and lowering my windows with my pinkie, just to shut up the replacement crowd. |
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| "thin metal strips are 'spring balances'" Pullman manufacturing still makes them. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Spring Balances that work
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- Posted by antiquesilver (My Page) on Fri, Jul 15, 11 at 13:27
| Regarding the above comment about nylon cord stretching, I used braided nylon cord about 20 years ago & haven't seen any evidence of stretching. |
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| If you set the cord length correctly to start with it is going to take a LOT of stretch to cause a problem. |
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| Our house was built in 1898 and has many of the original sash cords still intact, showing they can last longer than 90 years. I'm sure they are original to the house because there are some that are broken, so I believe none of them were replaced over the years. Almost everything was still intact in our house when we bought it. |
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