1950's wood sash windows with spiral balances

Question

Hi,
I'm not sure if you will know the answer to my question but I have been searching deeply throughout the internet without any luck. I have old wood windows from a 1956 ranch. I would like to keep the windows, but the glazing needs replaced. I can do this, but I would like to remove them and put them on the bench to glaze. There are about 12 windows I need to do. The problem is, when I removed the window trim to look at the jamb, I do not see an easy way to get these windows out of the frames. They look to be sliding within an aluminum track, with both the upper and lower sashes in their own tracks. The aluminum tracks seem to fold over the front sides of the sashes, so I'm not sure if they can be removed without damaging the aluminum. Somewhere online said that you have to remove the tracks with the windows, but they are nailed in so I think this would damage the aluminum or bend it. Do they make a replacement part for this? Or is there a way to use my old wood sashes but re-build the window frame with a newer style track for the windows? I have not seen any videos or guides online showing me how to remove this style of window sash.

Dave Sr. · Accepted Answer

Hello,

I do believe that you would need to remove the sashes and track at the same time. I have worked on these types of window tracks in the past. First, you will need to remove the wood trim on both sides of the tracks. To remove the tracks, you will need to take out the nails. Push both sashes up and use a Painters tool or Pry bar to get behind the track near the location of the nail. Pry the track just enough that can grab the nail head with a set of pliers or a "cat paw" nail puller. Repeat this process by pushing the sashes to the bottom and removing the nails at the top of the track as well. With the nails removed and the spring balances disconnected, you should be able to remove the tracks and sashes as a complete unit. Thanks for posting.