How to Adjust Window Tensions

Counterweighted Windows

• 1

  Open the window, and, if necessary, prop it open for safety.

• 2

  Examine the rope running along the inside track of the window frame. If the rope is snapped or frayed, consult a repairman -- the tensioning system itself is broken and cannot be adjusted.

• 3

  Examine the pulleys for the guide ropes. If the pulleys are stiff, lubricate them with a squirt of lubricant. For windows that are difficult to open and close, simply attending to the pulleys may resolve the problem.

• 4

  Locate the counterweight -- usually a small iron or brass weight attached to the rope inside the window frame. To make the window easier to raise and keep open, replace the counterweight with a heavier model or add weight to it. To keep the window closed or to make it harder to open, lighten the counterweight or replace it with a smaller model.

Spring-Tensioned Windows

• 5

  Open the window to reveal the spring, which is typically located inside the track.

• 6

  Use the appropriate tool to adjust the tension of the spring. Spring windows use different tensioning methods, so follow the specific instructions of your window manufacturer, but in general, the windows will have one spring on each track that tightens with a simple screwdriver.

• 7

  Adjust both springs and test the window to ensure that both sides are tensioned appropriately.