Professional Sash Cord Repair & Replacement in London
At Mortice & Green, we provide expert sash cord repair and replacement services for traditional timber sash windows throughout London. Established in 1994, our family-run business has over 30 years of experience repairing and restoring period sash windows, helping homeowners restore smooth operation without the need for costly window replacements. If your sash window is difficult to open, won’t stay in position or has become completely stuck, worn or broken sash cords are often the cause. Our experienced restorative joiners provide fast, reliable sash cord replacements using high-quality materials, ensuring your windows operate safely and effortlessly once again.
Why Do Sash Cords Break?
Sash cords play a vital role in the operation of traditional box sash windows. Hidden inside the window frame, they work alongside counterweights to support the weight of each sash, allowing the window to open and close smoothly.
Over time, these cords naturally wear due to years of daily use, friction and age. When a sash cord snaps or begins to fray, the window can quickly become difficult to operate, may slam shut unexpectedly or fail to open altogether. In some cases, broken sash cords can also place unnecessary strain on the remaining cords, increasing the likelihood of further failures.
At Mortice & Green, replacing broken sash cords is one of our specialist services. Our experienced team carefully dismantles the sash window where necessary, replaces the damaged cords with premium-quality replacements, rebalances the window using the original counterweights and thoroughly tests the mechanism to ensure everything operates smoothly before leaving your property.
Complete Sash Cord Replacement for Long-Term Reliability
Many homeowners are unaware that a traditional box sash window typically contains four sash cords. While it may be tempting to replace only the broken cord, it is often advisable to replace the remaining cords at the same time, particularly if they are of a similar age.
Our experienced joiners automatically inspect all existing sash cords whenever we carry out a repair. If we believe the remaining cords are showing signs of wear, we will recommend replacing them during the same visit. This proactive approach helps prevent future failures, restores perfect balance to the window and can save you money on additional call-outs later.
As part of the repair, we also check the overall condition of your sash window, ensuring the pulleys, weights and operating mechanisms are functioning correctly. Should we identify any additional issues, we will provide honest advice on the most appropriate solution, whether that’s a minor repair or a more comprehensive sash window refurbishment. Every replacement sash cord is installed to the highest standard and backed by our five-year guarantee, giving you complete confidence in the quality of our workmanship.
Why Choose Mortice & Green for Sash Cord Repairs?
Mortice & Green has been repairing sash windows throughout London since 1994, earning a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, honest advice and outstanding customer care. Unlike many larger companies, every quotation is carried out by one of the company proprietors, and all work is completed by our own experienced in-house restorative joiners. We never subcontract our projects, allowing us to maintain complete quality control from start to finish.
Our specialist knowledge of traditional timber sash windows means we can quickly diagnose sash cord problems and carry out repairs efficiently while preserving the original character of your windows. We only recommend work that is genuinely necessary and are always happy to explain the condition of your windows before any repairs are undertaken.
With fixed pricing, premium-quality replacement materials and a five-year guarantee on all replacement sash cords, you can be confident you’re receiving one of London’s most reliable sash cord repair services.
Areas We Cover for Sash Cord Repair
We provide professional sash cord repair and replacement services throughout London, carrying out repairs on period properties, listed buildings and traditional homes every day.
Our team regularly works in:
- Kensington
- Chelsea
- Fulham
- Putney
- Wimbledon
- Hampstead
- Islington
- Hackney
- Notting Hill
- Mayfair
- Belgravia
We also cover:
- North London
- South West London
- West London
- North West London
- Central London
If your property is located elsewhere in Greater London, simply contact our team. We regularly travel across London and will be happy to confirm whether we cover your area and arrange a convenient appointment.
How Much Does Sash Cord Repair Cost?
Mortice & Green offers straightforward, competitive pricing for sash cord repair and replacement, making it easy to restore your sash windows without unnecessary expense.
Our prices include:
- Sash cord replacement from just £90 per cord.
- £100 for the first cord, then only £90 for each additional cord when all four sash cords are replaced during the same visit.
- Expert installation by experienced restorative joiners.
- A thorough inspection of the remaining sash cords and window mechanism.
- A five-year guarantee on every replacement sash cord.
If one sash cord has broken, we will always inspect the remaining three, as they are often of a similar age and condition. Replacing all four cords during the same visit provides better long-term value, helps maintain the correct balance of your sash window and reduces the likelihood of future failures.
We are happy to provide a quotation over the phone, or you can contact us to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment of your sash windows. With repairs carried out throughout London every day, expert help is never far away.
Broken Sash Cords Repaired from £90
If you have a broken sash cord then replacement is just a phone call away, we have been repairing sash windows since 1994 and consider ourselves experts at replacing sash cords.
We provide a fixed price per sash cord depending on how many sash cords require replacement and with each cord costing as little as £90 each we are the best value sash cord replacement service in London!
Replacement Sash Cords from £90
High quality sash cord repairs if we replace a sash cord we will automatically check the other sash cords to ensure that they are in good order.
Typically if one sash cord has broken then we will normally advise you to have the other three sash cords replaced at the same time.
Did you know that there are 4 sash cords on every box sash window?
Quality Sash Window Repairs
All the replacement sash cords that we provide come with a five year guarantee for your total peace of mind and remember, the more sash cords that we replace the better the price we can give you!
Call us today for a quote over the phone we are always happy to help.
Price per cord as low as £90 each – repairs throughout London daily!
Call 020 7118 9191
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my sash cord is broken?
The most obvious sign of a broken sash cord is that one or both sashes will not stay in position when raised - the lower sash drops to the bottom of the frame, or the upper sash falls. You may also hear a sharp crack from inside the window box when the cord snaps, or see the cord hanging loose inside the frame. In some cases a broken cord may not be immediately obvious if the sash is resting in a closed position - try raising the sash and see if it holds its position unaided.
How much does sash cord replacement cost in London?
Sash cord replacement typically costs from £120 to £250 per window depending on the size of the window and whether one or both cords require replacing. It is usually advisable to replace both cords at the same time - even if only one has snapped - as the second cord is likely to be at a similar age and condition. Mortice & Green provides free, no-obligation quotations for sash cord replacement across London. Call 020 7118 9191 to arrange a visit.
How long does a sash cord repair take?
A straightforward sash cord replacement on a standard double-hung sash window typically takes one to two hours. The process involves removing the staff bead and sash, accessing the pulley and weight box, threading the new cord, re-hanging the sash, and refitting the beads. Mortice & Green carries all required materials to complete cord replacement in a single visit in most cases.
What type of sash cord do you use for repairs?
We use high-quality traditional waxed cotton sash cord for all our repairs. Waxed cotton cord is the correct traditional material for original sash windows - it runs smoothly over the pulleys, is resistant to fraying, and has a substantially longer lifespan than cheaper polypropylene alternatives. Using the correct cord material ensures the repair performs correctly and lasts as long as possible.
Can a broken sash cord be repaired as a DIY job?
Technically yes - sash cord replacement can be carried out as a DIY task with the right tools and knowledge. However, the process involves removing the staff bead and parting bead cleanly without damaging the surrounding paintwork, correctly threading and knotting the new cord through the pulley and weight, and rehanging the sash at the correct balance tension. Done incorrectly, a DIY cord replacement can result in damaged beads, a poorly balanced sash, or a cord that fails quickly. Most London period property owners find it more cost-effective to use a specialist.
Do you replace sash cords in conservation areas and listed buildings in London?
Yes. Sash cord replacement is a like-for-like internal repair that does not affect the external appearance of the window and requires no planning or listed building consent in any area of London. We carry out sash cord replacements across all London boroughs including in conservation areas and on listed buildings without any additional compliance requirements.