propping open double hungs

[nan-nan]

Our double hung windows in the Victorian rowhouse have had the sash cords and weights removed. The top window has been fixed in place. The bottom sash is the only one that moves and it slams shut without a stick in there to keep it open. I remember seeing a stick that someone had made from wood that had different levels of notches so you could prop your window open at different heights. Has anyone seen that picture? I can't seem to find it.

Do I have other options for keeping the windows open ( that don't involve reinstalling chords and weights)? Talk to me!

[heartwood]

nan-nan, yea, i'm talkin' to you!

options:
http://www.windowdoorparts.com/window-h ... ories.html

Alison sells a 'ladder stick' but her site is temporarily down:
http://www.window-woman-ne.com/Gallery.html

hope that helps...
...jade

[Mick_VT]

another option:

http://www.kilianhardware.com/phelwswinspr.html

These have to be installed into the sash, you then drill holes in the casing for them to engage in.

Personally I like these:

http://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/r0869

Originals can often be found on ebay at a much more reasonable price. They lock the sash at what ever hieght you want and are very easy to install.

[Mick_VT]

nan-nan, are you sure the weights etc have been removed? Your windows sound a lot like mine where the top window is fixed and the bottom has no counterbalance but is simply propped open. Mine were like this since the house was built, and even though the sashes have channels for ropes, they never had them. I have never seen a house in our rural Vermont town that has weights, they are all like this, though some of the more important buildings like churches etc. do. I believe that this was a budget option back in the day, it would have made construction of the window casing etc. much simpler, and required less skill, time and hardware to build.

[Don M]

Our 1830s PA stone farmhouse has fixed upper sash & most are held open with a stick too. A couple have spring loaded pins that snap into holes drilled in the channels. I know of the stick with angled cuts to allow the sash to be held at varying heights but I don't have a picture.

[Sashguy]

Circa 1860 style sash retainer. Easy to install and use. http://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/s ... ategory=76

[wletson]

Do you have a cat that isn't doing much?
In the old school house, half the ropes were gone to the weights, and I just used whatever was close at hand. (ok, not usually a cat)

[nan-nan]

Lots of great options here. Thanks, everyone.