Chains do look a bit intimidating at first glance, but honestly, once you’ve got the sash out, the process isn’t much tougher than swapping cords. I get the hesitation though—if you’ve never taken apart a window, it can feel like you’re one misstep away from disaster. That said, I’ve replaced a fair share of cords (cotton, nylon, even some old hemp), and I’d argue that cotton can hit 10 years in a high-traffic spot if you go with solid braided sash cord—NOT clothesline, which is what a lot of folks mistakenly pick up at the hardware store. The proper stuff is waxed and purpose-built, and I’ve seen it hold up on heavy windows in rentals where tenants aren’t exactly gentle.
Nylon’s tough, sure, but sometimes it doesn’t play nice with older pulleys—can get a bit noisy or even slip if the fit’s not right. Chains are great if you like that old-school look and don’t mind a little extra weight. They’re pretty much set-it-and-forget-it once installed. But yeah, they’re not for everyone.
If you’re handy and already have the stops off for painting or repairs, swapping cords isn’t as bad as it seems. The trickiest part is fishing the new cord through the pulley and tying off to the weight without dropping it inside the wall cavity (done that more times than I care to admit). Bit of painter’s tape on the end helps keep it from fraying while you thread it through.
I wouldn’t call cotton a lost cause, but if longevity’s your top priority and you don’t mind a slightly different feel, nylon or chain’s hard to beat. Just don’t let the install scare you off—patience goes a long way with these old windows. Sometimes it’s worth doing yourself just for the satisfaction... unless you’re in a hurry or dealing with painted-shut sashes—that’s when I’d call in backup.
Couldn’t agree more about the “NOT clothesline” part—learned that the hard way when my first attempt snapped after a couple months. I’d add, if you’re even a little bit handy, it’s totally doable and honestly kind of satisfying.
Been there, dropped that... twice. The trick for me was using a bent coat hanger to snag the weight if it slipped. If you’ve got patience and don’t mind a little trial and error, I say go for it—just budget extra time if your paint’s ancient or gummed up.“The trickiest part is fishing the new cord through the pulley and tying off to the weight without dropping it inside the wall cavity (done that more times than I care to admit).”