Sash Ribbons Revisited

Over time there have been questions about the sash ribbons in the house. Some people have suggested that the ribbons were replacements for broken cord or chain, but I was convinced that the ribbons were original.

I’ve searched high and low for replacements for my broken ones, but always came up empty.  The closest things were the “tapes” that are included in “Pullman” balances, but as far as I can tell the tapes are not sold separately. That’s probably because Pullman balances are spring loaded and you’ll kill yourself trying to service them.

As part of the kitchen remodel we need to replace a couple of broken ribbons, so I thought I’d try one last search.

Lo and behold, I found this quote from the 1906 edition of Building Construction and Superintendence, by F. E. Kidder:

238. Sash Cords, Chains, and Ribbons

Until within a few years past, linen or cotton cord was alone used for connecting the weights with the sashes of double hung windows, and cord is still more extensively used than either ribbons or chains.

[…]

Sash Ribbons. - These are now also extensively used in hanging the sashes of the better class of buildings. The ribbons are made of steel and aluminum bronze or of some mixture of aluminum, and in 3/8, ½, 5/8, ¾ and 7/8-inch widths. They are claimed to be practically indestructible, and work easily and without noise. The 3/8-inch ribbon may be used for sash weighing up to 100 pounds (50 pound weights). For a window 6 feet 10 inches high and 3 feet wide, glazed with plate glass, the ribbons with attachments will cost about 75 cents.

Sash ribbons are now manufactured by a number of firms who also make the necessary attachments for weight and sash.

For the best working of windows hung with ribbons, the following size pulleys should be used: [table of pulley sizes]

I still don’t have a source for replacement ribbons, but at least I can be confident that the ribbons are original.

It's amazing that most of them have lasted for 120 years.