Removing spring balance hung sash window

[James Carmichael]

Hi all,

I've got some 1990s vintage softwood sash windows that need attention. I have lots of experience with working with cord-and-weight windows but this is my first go at dismantling spring balance windows.

I am trying to get the upper (outside) sash removed. I'm working from the inside and have removed all of the beads, lower sash, etc. as I would normally.

However, the people that made the sash (likely a local general joinery) have rebated the frame/style for the spring balance, not the window itself. A quick look around the bottom of the window and I can't see any visible sign of the fixings to attach the spring balance to the window.

My fear is that who ever made the windows screwed the spring balance to the side of the sash and dropped it into the frame while it was being made. As the spring balance is rebated into the style I can't get at the side of the window to unscrew it - no way of tilting the window out if you see what I mean.

Has anyone else come up with windows made like this and are there any options beyond hoping I can get in there with a hacksaw/multi-tool and cutting the end of the spring balance off?

Many thanks

James.

p.s. House is listed so, no, just replacing the windows is not an easy option.

 

[JohnD]

Post some photos.

 

[crank39]

@Notch7

Any ideas, spring balancers and certainly timber isn't my thing

 

[JohnD]

I have sash windows with spring balances, but they are the American Amesbury type so may not be the same.

 

[James Carmichael]

Thanks everyone. I've been looking at the Mighton website (no reason to believe they're Mighton springs) and their setup has a hook-and-plate arrangement between the window and the spring when the spring is recessed into the frame.

I might just unscrew a spring from the frame and see what happens. If it just hooks onto a plate on the window, it might just fall out of the way of its own accord!. It's bu66ered anyway, so I haven't got much to lose.

 

[JohnD]

Post some photos.

Please do.