Window Balance and Hardware Repair in Madison, WI

Windows that won't stay open, slam shut, are hard to lift or won't lock: what each symptom points to

Start with what the window does, and tell the company. Cost guides list prices by repair type, so ask which part it thinks is at fault.

The same symptom can have more than one cause, so a company that looks at the window in person should name the part before quoting.

Repair or replace the window?

Repair figures are listed here. Andersen's parts store lists a 100 Series balancer at $24.57 (2026-10-23). HomeAdvisor lists a professional balance replacement at about $100 per window. This Old House lists a double-hung repair at $180 to $530. No source on file prices a replacement window, so get a written replacement quote and compare it with the repair quote.

• Permit. Madison's permit chart lists "Windows & Frames - replace" as needing a permit. It says nothing about repair or glass-only work. The city also says a permit is not required for small repairs under $500 in estimated value (City of Madison storm-damage page, 2026-10-18). Ask Madison Building Inspection if you are unsure (City of Madison permits chart, 2026-10-18).
• Lead-safe rules. Wisconsin DHS says window replacement in a pre-1978 home is covered by the rule whatever its size. EPA's federal rule has a minor-repair exemption for small jobs, but Wisconsin DHS's FAQ lists none, so do not assume a balance repair is exempt (see the lead-safe section below).
• Historic district. The city's standards say original decorative windows shall be repaired and retained, and deteriorated or broken components shall be repaired. In a local historic district, repair is the path the standards describe (see the historic section below).
• Original wood windows. NPS Preservation Brief 9 calls replacing broken sash cords one of the most common window repairs. It also says to retain and repair original windows whenever possible.

If the damage is not in the hardware, ask the company whether the frame, the sash or the glass is the problem. For frame rot, see sash and frame repair, and for original wood windows, wood window restoration. If the fog is between the panes, see foggy window repair.

Cost by part and whether it's one window or several: window balance repair cost

These are national ranges from dated cost guides, not Madison quotes. Ask the company that quotes your job for a written price.

What to ask about the price

• The number of windows: the balance, cord, casement, sliding and double-hung figures are per window or per repair, so several windows add up.
• The type of window: the guides list prices per type of window.
• The part: ask the quote to name the part and the labor separately.
• Whether the price covers a second visit if the part must be ordered.

The part price is not the job price. The Andersen balancer is $24.57 and the Truth track is $9.80, while the guide figure of about $100 is for a professional replacement. Not found in the sources read: a price for a casement operator, a lock or a set of sliding rollers.

How long it takes: same visit vs ordering parts

Not found: a source for how long a company takes to repair window hardware. None of the sources says a company finishes a hardware repair in the same visit, so do not assume it. Andersen and Marvin parts are ordered by part number or window ID (see the brand section), and Window Hardware Direct says some balance matches need the sash weight, so the part may have to be identified before it is ordered. Ask whether a second visit is needed.

DIY estimates only

These are home-owner estimates. They say nothing about how long a company takes.

• Casement crank swap: about 1 hour with a 4-in-1 screwdriver or a drill (4Feldco says).
• Casement hardware fixes: an hour or two per window, and about 15 minutes to file a flat spot on an operator shaft (Family Handyman says).
• Sash lock swap: 4 to 7 minutes, rated Easy (iFixit says).
• Sash-cord job: 1 to 2 hours, rated Easy, about $35 (This Old House, citing Angi).

For a pre-1978 home, This Old House says to assume lead paint there and use plastic sheeting, HEPA vacuuming and protective gear.

Double-hung and single-hung balances: spiral, channel and coil spring balances, pivot lock shoes and pivot bars

Argo Window Repair says a balance is a spring or a weight-and-pulley system hidden in the frame, and that difficulty raising the sash can mean the balances are broken (read 2026-10-24). Window Hardware Direct matches each balance type differently.

Spiral (tube) balances

Window Hardware Direct, a parts seller, says a spiral (tube) balance has a spiral rod in a tube connected to a spring. To match one you need the tube length, the coupling color and whether the window is tilt or non-tilt (sideload). If you cannot tell the coupling color, it says to weigh the sash, because sash weight maps to the color (read 2026-10-24).

Channel (block-and-tackle) balances

Window Hardware Direct describes block-and-tackle balances as a pulley, cord and spring system in a metal channel, used in double-hung and single-hung windows, with tilt versions. It says to match one by the channel length and the stamp on the balance. Its crossbow balances are discontinued and tilt-only; it converts them to inverted block-and-tackle balances with a T-lock shoe.

Coil spring, clock spring and weight-and-cord systems

Window Hardware Direct says a coil-spring ("constant force") balance has a stainless steel coiled spring, a spring cover, a balance drum and a pivot lock shoe, and that matching needs the current balance plus the sash weight. It says clock-spring balances are coiled metal springs in older wood windows. They are mounted overhead or on the jamb side. In rope-and-pulley systems the weights hide beyond the jambs. Its usual fix is replacing frayed cords or chains.

Replacing, not fixing

Argo's hardware page says broken balances cannot be fixed and have to be replaced with new ones (read 2026-10-24). The job is a part swap, so the quote should name the part.

Pivot lock shoes and sash pivot bars

Argo lists pivot lock shoes, tilt latches and sash pivot bars among its tilt window mechanisms (Argo, read 2026-10-24). If the sash tilts, ask whether the shoes and pivot bars are checked too.

Sash cord replacement in older wood windows

Older wood windows can use cords and pulleys attached to metal weights, and a window that will not stay in place may point to broken cords or cables (Good Window Works, 2026-10-24). This Old House says worn or broken sash cords are a common cause of a stuck or stiff window, next to paint buildup, rusted hardware and a warped frame, and says to look for frayed cords. Ask whether the pulleys are checked along with the cords.

Painted-over cords and painted-shut sashes

Paint can seal the sash to the frame. This Old House says to cut the paint seal on both sides of the sash, the bottom stool and the meeting rail, then pry the sash free. To reach the weights, it says to remove the stop beads, pull the sash, and unscrew the access door on each side jamb. It adds that thin coats of paint help avoid sealing a window shut. It rates the job Easy and estimates 1 to 2 hours (a DIY estimate). Cutting paint on a pre-1978 window can disturb lead paint (This Old House says to assume lead paint there). The lead-safe section below says when the rule applies.

Rope or chain, and getting to the weights

NPS Preservation Brief 9 (national guidance, published 1981) calls replacing broken sash cords with new rope cords or with chains one of the most common window repairs. When the sash comes out, the old cords are detached from its sides. The ends are pinned with a nail or knotted so they do not fall into the weight pocket. The weight pocket is often reached through a door on the face of the frame near the sill. If there is no door, the Brief says the interior trim may be removed for access. Ask whether trim removal and repainting are in the quote. The Brief adds that sash weights can be increased to make a window easier to operate, for example for elderly or handicapped people.

A professional sash cord repair is listed at about $110 per window (HomeAdvisor, 2026-06-17), and as $35 to $110 with a $73 average (This Old House, 2026-06-23).

Casement and awning operators: crank handles, operator arms, hinges, stripped gears

A casement sash is opened by a crank (4Feldco). Here is what the sources say about its parts and failures.

Casement window crank repair: the parts and the signs

4Feldco names the parts of a casement crank: the handle, the arm whose inner wheel rides in the track and lines up with the center notch, the flange (the mounting plate on the sill), the trim over the flange, and the mounting screws. It says to replace the screws with the crank. It says a stripped crank may let the handle spin freely, or the sash will not lock when pulled in.

Family Handyman says that if the handle turns but the window does not move, the handle gears, the operator shaft, or both are probably stripped. It says to replace the handle if only its teeth are worn, and the whole operator if the shaft splines are worn or broken off. It says a flat spot filed on the shaft with a longer setscrew may not hold up with frequent use.

Hinges are a separate cause

Family Handyman says a casement sash that drags against the frame may need the hinge channel moved, or its hinge arms replaced if they sag. That is a different fault from a failed crank, so describe the drag to the company.

Matching an operator: arm length, track and brand

HardwareSource lists a Truth square-housing operator (SKU 33352) with a 9 inch long arm. It says arm length is measured from the pivot point to the center of the round guide button on the end of the arm. The same listing says the housing shape helps tell operators apart (this one is square, a related operator teardrop shaped), and that screw holes sit 3.5 inches apart, center to center. A related HardwareSource page says the operator comes with the gear housing and arm, a crank handle with a 5/16 inch spline, and screws. It says the track is not included and must match the arm, because the track takes the round button on the arm.

Reflect Window groups Truth casement operators as single arm, dual arm and dyad, and its titles carry the hand, left or right. 4Feldco says older windows may use cranks no longer made, so an exact match can be hard. It points to online part sellers or generic cranks at home centers, and says to confirm fit before buying. Family Handyman says you do not need the make or model, because a photo shown to a parts supplier can identify an operator.

Window operator replacement and the track

Reflect Window lists a Truth 13-7/8 inch single-arm operator track, part 30169, at $9.80 (one part price, not a job price). It says replacing a worn or bent track can help restore smooth window performance. It points buyers to its "Find my part" service to confirm fit. A casement window repair is listed at $150 to $500 with a $325 average (This Old House, 2026-06-23).

Awning windows and what was not found

Argo lists operators for awning windows. Not found: awning-window operator specifics, a repair method for a bent operator arm, and a price for an operator or crank. Ask the company whether it replaces or straightens a bent arm.

Sliding window repair: rollers and tracks

Window Hardware Direct lists these signs of failing sliding window rollers: the window is hard to slide or sticks, the fit is uneven or misaligned, there are grinding or scraping noises, and the window will not close properly.

How the roller steps run

Window Hardware Direct gives the steps for a roller change. Open the window halfway, lift the panel and tilt the bottom out. Loosen the adjustment screws first if the rollers are adjustable. Unscrew the brackets, pry out stuck rollers with a putty knife and clean the track. Seat the new rollers, set the height, reinstall the sash and lightly lubricate the track. The rollers sit at the bottom of the sash, and the track is cleaned in the same job. A sliding window repair is listed at $130 to $500, average $315 (This Old House, 2026-06-23).

Not found: a method for matching sliding-window rollers to a window, a time estimate, and a roller price. Ask the company what it needs to identify the roller.

Window lock, latch and tilt latch repair

Sweep locks and keepers: how to match them

Window Hardware Direct says sweep locks are common on sliding windows and typically have a latch that engages a keeper on the frame. To match one, remove the lock and measure from center hole to center hole. If only the holes remain, note the distance between them. Measure the keeper the same way, and look for extras such as a bump or protrusion on its edge. Reflect Window lists a Truth cam lock with 2-1/16 inch hole spacing, which shows that spacing is a stock size.

Sash locks

iFixit says to measure the length between the two screws on the lock and the width from the screw to the keeper. Those two measurements decide the lock size. iFixit rates the swap Easy, at 4 to 7 minutes with a Phillips #2 screwdriver and a ruler (a DIY estimate). 4Feldco notes that on a casement, a stripped crank can leave the sash unable to lock when pulled in, so a lock that will not catch is not always a lock fault.

Tilt latches and prices

Argo lists tilt latches among its tilt window mechanisms (read 2026-10-24), so mention it if the sash will not tilt in. A latch or hardware repair is listed at $75 to $200, average $138 (This Old House, 2026-06-23). Not found: signs of sliding-window lock failure, and a lock price.

Tune-up: cleaning and lubricating tracks, adjusting sashes

Not every sticking window needs a part. Good Window Works says to clean the tracks and then lubricate (2026-10-24). If you want a tune-up, ask what it includes and whether weatherstripping is priced separately.

Weatherstripping options

NPS Preservation Brief 9 (national, 1981) says a repaired window should be weatherstripped to cut air leaks. Old felt can go on the top, bottom and meeting rails. It can absorb and hold moisture, especially on the bottom rail. The Brief says old felt is not likely to perform very satisfactorily. Its other options are rolled vinyl strips that are tacked in. It also lists metal or plastic spring strips on the rails and, if space allows, in the channels between sash and jamb. It says a sash lock on the meeting rail keeps the sash tight so the weatherstripping works better. It accepts this even where not historically accurate. Madison's winter figures are below; ask which of these the quote uses.

How to choose a company for window hardware repair

• Have the brand ready when you send the form or call. Ask whether the company works on that brand and series.
• Ask for a written quote that names the part, the labor and any second visit.
• Ask whether the price covers one window or all windows with the same problem.
• For a pre-1978 home, ask how the company handles lead-safe work. Wisconsin DHS publishes a certified lead company list you can check.
• Ask what happens if the frame turns out to be rotted.

Questions about the job? Send the quote form on this page or contact Madison Window Repair.

Andersen, Marvin, Lindsay and other brands: finding the right part

Andersen lists its balancers by number and by window series, so identify your window first. Here is what the makers publish, as read on 2026-10-23.

Andersen

Andersen sells genuine parts through its own parts store. Balances are listed as a "Sash Balancer" with a balancer number in the title, such as 1350, with other numbers in the filters including 1320, 1340, 1910, 2350 and 2550. The 100 Series single-hung page lists 245 results, each priced at $24.57 (Andersen parts store). That is the part alone. Labor and a visit are extra.

Marvin

Marvin takes parts requests through an online form or by phone, and asks you to identify the window first. On a Marvin window made after November 2003, look in a corner of the interior glass for a laser-etched logo and codes: the glass maker, plant and year, certification, serial number, NFRC number and the Marvin name. On one made before November 2003, look at the silver spacer bar between the panes for an engraving with the Marvin name and the last two digits of the year (Marvin replacement parts). Marvin's page gives no prices or lead times.

Lindsay, Pella and others

For Lindsay, Pella and other makers, ask the dealer that sold the window, or the maker's customer service, which part number and ordering route to use. Ask the repair company that quotes the job whether it works on your brand. Do not assume any company services every make; that depends on the company.

Finding parts for older or discontinued brands: identifying the part

4Feldco says older windows may use cranks that are no longer made. When the brand is unknown or the line has ended, measurements and stamps are the places to start. Give the company:

• A description of the whole window, the sash edge and any visible hardware, and the type of balance if you can see it (spiral tube, channel, coil).
• The sash width and height, the balance length or the stamp on it if you can see it, and the sash weight if you can weigh it.
• For a crank or operator: the arm length, the housing shape and the screw-hole spacing, as HardwareSource measures them.
• For a lock: the center-to-center distance of the screw holes, and the keeper.
• Any brand name or stamp on the frame, hardware, glass corner or spacer bar.
• Whether the sash can come out so the balance can be read.

Ask the company what it can do if the original part cannot be found, and whether it would suggest a different part or a repair-or-replace talk.

Lead-safe rules for painted windows in older homes

Wisconsin's lead-safe renovation rule applies to paid work on homes built before 1978. Wisconsin DHS says any company that offers renovation work must be a certified lead company, and each project needs an assigned certified renovator (DHS renovation FAQ, 2026-10-24).

EPA says fixing a broken window balancer or replacing a pane is not a window replacement, but the job is still covered unless it counts as minor repair and maintenance. That means no more than 6 square feet of painted surface disturbed per room. In older windows the glazing is painted. It must be removed to replace a pane, so that paint counts (US EPA, 2026-10-18).

The state and federal pages differ here. DHS lists the same trigger: more than 6 square feet of paint disturbed in one room inside, or 20 square feet outside. Its FAQ lists no minor-repair exemption, while EPA's federal rule has one. DHS also says window replacement is covered whatever the size, even when the old windows are vinyl. Ask the company which rule it works under and how it will handle paint dust. DHS bans dry sweeping and requires HEPA vacuum cleanup indoors. DHS says owners working on their own home are generally outside the rule. That holds only if just they and immediate family live there, no child with a high blood lead level lives there and no part is rented.

Historic districts and Madison winters

If you own a home in a Madison local historic district, the city's standards say original decorative windows shall be repaired and retained. They also say deteriorated or broken components shall be repaired. The standards PDF is undated, so ask the city's Preservation Planner what applies. The city says the Landmarks Commission must approve exterior changes to locally designated properties. It asks owners to apply for that Certificate of Approval before applying for a building permit. The page does not say that all window work needs approval (City of Madison, 2026-10-18).

Madison averages 51.8 inches of snow a year and a January mean of 19.4 F, with 7,138 heating degree days (UW State Climatology Office, 1991-2020 normals). For a repair job, that makes the weatherstripping choice worth a line in the quote, since NPS says a tight sash helps weatherstripping work.

Sources

• HomeAdvisor, window repair cost (2026-06-17)
• This Old House, window repair cost (2026-06-23)
• This Old House, how to repair stuck sash windows (2026-10-24)
• Andersen parts store, Sash Balancer, 100 Series single-hung (2026-10-23)
• Marvin, replacement parts (2026-10-23)
• Good Window Works, window hardware and mechanisms repair (2026-10-24)
• Good Window Works, lubricating wood windows (2026-10-24)
• Argo Window Repair, window hardware repair (2026-10-24)
• Family Handyman, how to repair old windows (2026-10-24)
• 4Feldco, how to fix a stripped window crank (2026-10-24)
• HardwareSource, operator for casement windows (2026-10-24)
• HardwareSource, casement operator listing (2026-10-24)
• Reflect Window, Truth casement operator track (2026-10-24)
• Reflect Window, Truth dual-arm casement operator (2026-10-24)
• Reflect Window, Truth cam lock (2026-10-24)
• Window Hardware Direct, changing a sliding window roller (2026-10-24)
• Window Hardware Direct, measuring and replacing sweep locks and keepers (2026-10-24)
• iFixit, how to replace a sash window lock (2026-10-24)
• National Park Service, Preservation Brief 9: The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows (1981; read 2026-10-24)
• US EPA, window repair under the RRP rule (2026-10-18)
• US EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: contractors (2026-10-18)
• Wisconsin DHS, lead-safe renovation (2026-10-18)
• Window Hardware Direct, the ultimate window balance guide (2026-10-24)
• Wisconsin DHS, lead-safe renovation FAQ (2026-10-24)
• City of Madison, historic preservation (2026-10-18)
• Wisconsin DHS, hire a lead-safe contractor (2026-10-18)
• Wisconsin State Climatology Office, Madison climate (2026-10-18)
• City of Madison, permits chart (2026-10-18)
• City of Madison, storm damage and repairs (2026-10-18)
• City of Madison, historic districts standards (undated; read 2026-10-18)

Questions about window balance and hardware repair

My window won't stay open. Can it be fixed?

Difficulty raising the sash can mean broken balances (Argo Window Repair), and a window that will not stay in place may point to broken cords or cables (Good Window Works). Argo says broken balances are replaced, not fixed. A company that looks at the window should name the part and check the frame and sash too.

Which window parts are replaced instead of the whole window?

The sources describe part swaps: a balance (Argo), a sash cord (NPS Brief 9), a crank handle when only its teeth are worn, the whole operator when the shaft splines are worn or broken (Family Handyman), sliding rollers (Window Hardware Direct), and a lock and keeper (iFixit). Frame rot and foggy glass are covered on separate pages of this site.

How long does a window hardware repair take?

No source gives a company's repair time, and none says a company finishes a hardware repair in the same visit. The DIY estimates are about 1 hour for a crank swap (4Feldco), 1 to 2 hours for a sash-cord job (This Old House) and 4 to 7 minutes for a sash lock (iFixit). Ask the company whether a second visit is needed.

How much would it cost to fix a window?

For hardware, the This Old House ranges above run from $35 for sash cord repair to $530 for a double-hung repair. The one part price on file for an operator part is $9.80 for a Truth track (Reflect Window). Your written quote is the number that counts.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a window?

The sourced figures are for repair: a $24.57 Andersen balancer part, about $100 for a professional balance replacement (HomeAdvisor), $180 to $530 for a double-hung repair (This Old House). No replacement price is on file, so ask for a written replacement quote to compare. In Madison, replacing a window needs a permit per the city's chart, and the chart says nothing about repair. A small repair under $500 in estimated value needs no permit, the city says.

Should I replace all my windows at once or repair them individually?

If only the hardware is failing, repairing the ones that need it is a plain option. The guide prices are per window or per repair, so ask whether the quote covers one window or all. DHS says replacing windows in a pre-1978 home is covered by the lead-safe rule whatever the size.

Are my sash cords broken, frayed or painted?

This Old House says worn or broken cords are a common cause of a stiff or stuck sash, and to look for frayed cords. A painted-over cord is reached by cutting the paint seal, removing the stop beads and opening the jamb access door. NPS Preservation Brief 9 (national, 1981) says replacing broken cords with new rope or chain is among the most common repairs.

What can I use to lubricate wood windows?

Good Window Works says to clean the tracks first, then lubricate, and to avoid oil such as WD-40 on wood or vinyl windows. Ask the company what it uses on your window.

How do I free a window that is painted shut?

This Old House says to cut the paint seal on both sides of the sash, the bottom stool and the meeting rail, then pry the sash free. Cutting paint on a pre-1978 window can disturb lead paint. EPA and Wisconsin DHS tie the lead-safe rule to more than 6 square feet of painted surface disturbed per room; see the lead-safe section above.

How do I tell which type of window balance I have?

Window Hardware Direct matches spiral balances by tube length, coupling color and tilt or non-tilt, and block-and-tackle balances by channel length and stamp. Coil balances need photos of the current balance plus the sash weight.

Where do I get a part for my brand?

Identify the brand first. Andersen and Marvin publish parts routes, described above. For other brands, start with the dealer that sold the window.

Does a balance repair in a pre-1978 Madison home fall under the lead-safe rule?

EPA says fixing a broken window balancer is still covered unless it counts as minor repair and maintenance, which means no more than 6 square feet of painted surface disturbed per room. Wisconsin DHS lists no minor-repair exemption in its FAQ. Ask the company which rule it works under.