I Love/Hate my Windows. Any solutions?

[BostonRich]

I very much love the size of our windows in our Stoneybrook. They are huge (4 feet wide). They let in a lot of light and lots of breeze when open and we have a wonderful view out from both our bedroom and living room.

So what's the problem? They are almost impossible to open. There is no lip on the bottom to get your fingers underneath to lift them up. At the very top there is a 1/4" indent along the frame which does not allow any grip or leverage especially since your lifting from chest level.

It is hard to believe that the builders decided on such a poor window design for senior citizen homes. Now I understand why lots of people don't open their windows in the Villages. They can't.

Has anyone found a solution to this problem? Is there a handle that can be attached to these windows? The frames are very narrow so there is not much of an area in which to drill. Would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks.

Pictures: 1- windows / 2 - no lip along the bottom / 3 - Inadequate indent at the top

[Keefelane66]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i2qNDB9QlfA

[JSR22]

I very much love the size of our windows in our Stoneybrook. They are huge (4 feet wide). They let in a lot of light and lots of breeze when open and we have a wonderful view out from both our bedroom and living room.

So what's the problem? They are almost impossible to open. There is no lip on the bottom to get your fingers underneath to lift them up. At the very top there is a 1/4" indent along the frame which does not allow any grip or leverage especially since your lifting from chest level.

It is hard to believe that the builders decided on such a poor window design for senior citizen homes. Now I understand why lots of people don't open their windows in the Villages. They can't.

Has anyone found a solution to this problem? Is there a handle that can be attached to these windows? The frames are very narrow so there is not much of an area in which to drill. Would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks.

Pictures: 1- windows / 2 - no lip along the bottom / 3 - Inadequate indent at the top

I have never opened the windows since we bought our house 10 years ago.

[VApeople]

I have never opened the windows since we bought our house 10 years ago.

Same here, except that it is six years for us.

[coffeebean]

I have never opened the windows since we bought our house 10 years ago.

What about washing the windows and the tracks? I have a company who washes the windows but I keep up with the tracks myself. Our windows in our home that was built in 2007 are very easy to open and close......big lip to lift them up and to close them.

[EdFNJ]

I put these on each window. Saved a lot of broken fingernails. Under $5 on Amazon last year. Our home is 13yrs old so they may not be the same windows but the results are the same.


Amazon Link: Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-2630-Deluxe-Diecast-Construction/dp/B002FYI7AY/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2UBOA3WROPL8L)

[KAM+6]

Ed, can you post a link to those. Thanks

[JSR22]

What about washing the windows and the tracks? I have a company who washes the windows but I keep up with the tracks myself. Our windows in our home that was built in 2007 are very easy to open and close......big lip to lift them up and to close them.

I have a window washing service several times a year. The windows closed no pollen and minimal dust.

[retiredguy123]

Ed, can you post a link to those. Thanks
Not exactly, but similar.

https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-2630-Deluxe-Diecast-Construction/dp/B002FYI7AY/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3RIZI848E6U8Y&keywords=Plpcr+window+handle&qid=1668304284&sprefix=plpcr+window+handle%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-6

[BostonRich]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i2qNDB9QlfA

That looks very cool but there is no room on the sides of these windows for this. Thank you for sending this idea though. It is appreciated.

[BostonRich]

That might work Ed if the handle will fit in the channel like in your pic. I will check that out. It should help. Thanks.

[Garywt]

I have never tried to open the windows. Generally just have the AC on. If we want to change the air we just open the front door and the sliders.

[bragones]

Try replacing your window balancers. They are spring loaded and the springs wear out over time. I replaced them on the windows I open most frequently and it now takes very little effort open/close. You can get them on Amazon or have a handyman do it. It’s a fairly easy job.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hB_wGFn55ig&autoplay=1

[MandoMan]

That looks very cool but there is no room on the sides of these windows for this. Thank you for sending this idea though. It is appreciated.

That’s a brand. You’d have to replace your windows! Go with the product from Amazon. You may need to have a handyman install them, but you will be happy with the results. My sister has windows like yours, but narrower. You are right about their being hard to open, but they seal well.

[bragones]

That’s a brand. You’d have to replace your windows! Go with the product from Amazon. You may need to have a handyman install them, but you will be happy with the results. My sister has windows like yours, but narrower. You are right about their being hard to open, but they seal well.

A google or Amazon search on window balancers will give many options. Once the balancers were replaced on my larger windows, I could open/close them with two fingers. That's probably why the design was acceptable when new. The handles might help but over time, the window will require more effort to open/close.

[jamesdschramm]

I recently heard to clean the tracks and then wipe them down with pledge furniture polish PS I have not tried it yet but plan to soon

[Two Bills]

I recently heard to clean the tracks and then wipe them down with pledge furniture polish PS I have not tried it yet but plan to soon

Was going to post same advice.
It also works well on all curtain tracks as well.

[BostonRich]

Try replacing your window balancers. They are spring loaded and the springs wear out over time. I replaced them on the windows I open most frequently and it now takes very little effort open/close. You can get them on Amazon or have a handyman do it. It’s a fairly easy job.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hB_wGFn55ig&autoplay=1

This certainly may be the best solution. I'm not sure where to get the balancers for our windows but I guess I have some homework to do. If I can find them I think I have a fun project ahead.

Thanks!

[dougawhite]

I put these on each window. Saved a lot of broken fingernails. Under $5 on Amazon last year. Our home is 13yrs old so they may not be the same windows but the results are the same.

Nice handle, but looks like you may have installed them upside down. Shouldn't the hollow side face down?

Regarding replacing the balance springs, I tried this on my 15 yr old windows and spent $50 on a kit. The pieces broke right away and I gave up. I did end up getting my $50 back.

[AJGeorge]

There is a company named "Swisco" ( SWISCO.com ~ The Replacement Hardware Authority (https://www.swisco.com) ). Their website has the information that you need to replace window balancers. Locally you can go to or call "Romac " in Leesburg. I did my windows and after the first one it was a breeze. I also told a friend who did some of his.

[LG999]

Keefelane66 , this seems like a clever, easy solution. Thank you!

[BostonRich]

AJ, this info is great. Thank you. So did you get your parts at Romac?

[nancyre]

Wood Preen - is what my mom used to years to clean the edges of the storm windows - aluminum - it left a smooth coating and cleaned off the oxidation. Try that
They also make silicone lubricant you can get at Lowes or Home depot. NOT WD40 per the company that installed my lanai sliders

[pepfalcon]

I very much love the size of our windows in our Stoneybrook. They are huge (4 feet wide). They let in a lot of light and lots of breeze when open and we have a wonderful view out from both our bedroom and living room.

So what's the problem? They are almost impossible to open. There is no lip on the bottom to get your fingers underneath to lift them up. At the very top there is a 1/4" indent along the frame which does not allow any grip or leverage especially since your lifting from chest level.

It is hard to believe that the builders decided on such a poor window design for senior citizen homes. Now I understand why lots of people don't open their windows in the Villages. They can't.

Has anyone found a solution to this problem? Is there a handle that can be attached to these windows? The frames are very narrow so there is not much of an area in which to drill. Would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks.

Pictures: 1- windows / 2 - no lip along the bottom / 3 - Inadequate indent at the top

Call John Manion - He mades a wooden device that works beautifully 352-259-1033 - They used to be about $10.

[EdFNJ]

Ed, can you post a link to those. Thanks

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-2630-Deluxe-Diecast-Construction/dp/B002FYI7AY/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2UBOA3WROPL8L)

[EdFNJ]

Nice handle, but looks like you may have installed them upside down. Shouldn't the hollow side face down?

They seem to be the same on both sides. :D