I Love/Hate my Windows. Any solutions?
 

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.

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

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 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

Ed, can you post a link to those. Thanks

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

Not exactly, but similar.

https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Line-26...s%2C138&sr=8-6

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

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.

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

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.