Double-Hung Window Repair by Heritage Steel Window Repair
Double-hung windows are the most common window in Philadelphia rowhouses and suburban homes. When they stick, drop or let in drafts, the fix is usually simple: new cords or balances, freed sashes and fresh weatherstripping.
We work on old wood double-hungs with weights and pulleys, steel double-hungs, and modern vinyl and wood units with spring balances.
Broken Cords and Balances
If a sash will not stay up, the cord or balance is broken. On older windows we open the weight pockets, replace cords with new cotton sash cord or chain and rebalance the weights. On newer windows we replace the spring balances and shoes.
Sashes painted shut are cut free, cleaned and waxed so they slide.
Double-Hung Repairs
New Sashes in Old Frames
When sashes are beyond repair but the frame is sound, we make new sashes to fit the existing frame. It keeps the interior trim intact and costs less than full replacement.
One-Day Visits
Most cord and balance repairs are done in a single visit. We bring common parts and fix several windows in a day.
We serve Philadelphia, the Main Line, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties, South Jersey and Wilmington. Related services: steel door repair, window hardware, storm windows.
Old Double-Hungs vs. Newer Units
Older double-hung windows use cords, pulleys and iron weights hidden in the frame. When a cord breaks, the sash drops or will not stay up. The fix is simple: open the weight pocket, tie in new cord and rebalance. Done properly, it lasts decades.
Newer double-hungs use spring balances that wear out after fifteen to twenty-five years. We identify the balance type and size and replace them so the sash lifts easily and stays where you put it.
In both cases we clean and wax the tracks, adjust the meeting rail lock so the sashes pull tight, and add weatherstripping where it is missing. That alone cuts rattles and drafts noticeably on windy Philadelphia winter days.
Good to Know
Double-hung windows in older Philadelphia homes often have layers of paint on the stops and parting beads. We carefully remove and reset these trim pieces rather than prying the sash out, so the interior woodwork is not damaged during the repair.
Double-Hung Window Repair Prices in Philadelphia
Starting prices for 2026 in our Philadelphia service area. Your final price depends on the number of windows, their condition and access, and is confirmed in a written estimate after a free on-site visit. No work starts without your approval.
Cord Repair
- Weight pocket opened
- New cotton cord
- Sash rebalanced
- Stops reset
Full Tune-Up
- Cords on both sashes
- Sashes freed and waxed
- Lock adjusted
- Weatherstripping added
New Sashes
- Sashes milled to match
- Glazed and painted
- Hung and balanced
- Interior trim kept
Price List
| Service | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Spring balance replacement | $110 - $200 | per sash |
| Upgrade to sash chain | $160 - $260 | per window |
| Free painted-shut sash | $75 - $150 | per window |
| Sash lock and lift set | $65 - $140 | per window |
| Parting bead and stop replacement | $90 - $180 | per window |
| Reglaze one sash | $150 - $300 | per sash |
Prices include labor and standard materials. Lead-safe work practices are included on pre-1978 homes. Travel outside our usual service area may add a trip charge, quoted in advance.
Recent Double-Hung Window Repair Projects
Colonial Double-Hung Windows · Doylestown, PA
Double-hung windows on a Cape Cod style home adjusted, rebalanced and fitted with new weatherstripping.
Double-Hung Sash Replacement · Media, PA
Paired double-hung sashes swapped room by room in one day, with interior trim left in place.
Ranch House Double-Hung and Bay · Cherry Hill, NJ
Double-hung windows and a bay unit on a ranch house, set plumb and sealed against the siding.
Double-Hung Sash Fabrication · Philadelphia, PA
New sash stock milled and assembled in the shop to match a historic double-hung profile.
Double-Hung Window Repair FAQ
A single window cord repair is a small job. The price per window drops when we do several in one visit.
Yes. We cut the paint seal, free the sash and wax the tracks.
Yes. We match the balance type and length to your window.
Cotton sash cord is traditional and lasts many years. Sash chain lasts longer and suits heavy sashes; we recommend it for large or frequently used windows.
Yes. Rattles come from gaps between the sash and the stops or parting beads. Adjusting the stops and adding weatherstripping stops the noise and the draft.
Get a free double-hung window repair estimate
Call (215) 555-0163 or send us photos of your windows.