Honoson Window Latch Locks Window Parts and Hardware Tilt Latch Plastic Construction, Spring Loaded, 2 Inch Hole Center Spacing Sliding Lock Replacement

Why I tried these latches

A few of my vinyl double‑hung windows had sloppy, cracked tilt latches—the small tabs on the top of the sash that both lock the sash in place and release it to tilt in for cleaning. Rather than source brand‑specific parts with long lead times, I picked up a pack of Honoson tilt latches to refresh several windows at once and keep a few spares in the drawer. My goals were simple: restore a solid lockup, stop the subtle rattling on windy days, and make sure tilting the sashes didn’t feel like a game of “will it snap.”

What you get

The pack includes 12 plastic, spring‑loaded latches: six left‑hand and six right‑hand. Each unit is roughly 3 x 1 inches with 2‑inch hole‑center spacing. They’re plain white and come without screws. That quantity is overkill for a single window, but it’s perfect if you’re doing a small house batch, and having left/right clearly separated avoids guesswork.

A quick note on orientation: if you’re standing inside facing the window, “left” means the latch for the left side of the sash, and “right” is the right side. The top tabs should spring outward toward the jamb when installed.

Fit and compatibility

These are designed for single‑ and double‑hung vertical sliding windows that tilt in. The 2‑inch hole spacing is the make‑or‑break spec. I measured my old latches—also 2 inches center‑to‑center—and the Honoson units dropped right in without drilling new holes. If your existing spacing is different, you’ll either need to redrill or look for a closer match.

The body size is fairly standard, but the corners and nose profile are generic. On two of my windows, the nose sat perfectly flush in the sash cutout; on another (a different brand), it was close but not cosmetically perfect—still fully functional, just not OEM‑clean.

Screws aren’t included. I reused my existing screws on most sashes, and for a couple that were stripped, I swapped in #6 x 3/8 in pan‑head stainless screws. Don’t overtighten—plastic housings can hairline crack if you muscle them down.

Installation experience

Swapping these was straightforward and took under five minutes per side:

1. Unlock and raise the sash slightly.
2. Back out the two screws on each old latch.
3. Seat the new latch so the spring tab rests in the sash recess and the holes line up.
4. Install the screws snugly but not tight enough to deform the plastic.
5. Test: slide the tab in and out; tilt the sash inward to confirm the pawl disengages and re‑engages cleanly.

The spring tension on the Honoson latches is light‑to‑medium. That made installation forgiving—the tabs compress easily, so getting the sash back into the track after tilting is smooth. On one window with a slightly bowed top rail, I needed to nudge the latch toward the jamb while tightening the screws to ensure the pawl extends fully; a minute of alignment solved it.

Day‑to‑day performance

After a few weeks of daily operation, these latches have done what I needed them to do:

• They hold the upper sash securely with no rattle on gusty days.
• The tilting motion is predictable; press the tabs, tilt in, clean, and the springs push the pawls back out to lock when the sash returns to vertical.
• The tabs are easy to actuate without fingernail gymnastics.

If your sashes are out of square or your weatherstripping is swollen, any tilt latch will show the limits of the frame. With these, I noticed a whisper of lateral play on one older sash—still locked, but you can feel the plastic give a millimeter or two under pressure. It’s not alarming, just different from metal or beefier OEM parts.

Build quality and durability

The housings are molded plastic with an internal metal spring. Out of the box, the finish is clean—no excessive flashing or warped pieces in my pack. Tension is consistent across units.

Plastic has its place, but it has tradeoffs. The upsides here: corrosion‑proof, lightweight, and quiet. The downside: impact and over‑torque can crack the body, and very cold weather can make some plastics brittle. I installed one pair on a shaded north‑facing window as a test against temperature swings. So far, no cracks or sticking, but I’d still avoid slamming the sash closed or cranking down the screws.

If you’re upgrading a high‑traffic rental or a window that gets hard use, a metal‑bodied latch will outlast plastic. For typical residential use—occasional tilting and regular locking—these strike a reasonable balance between cost and service life.

Design and aesthetics

They’re a clean white with a low‑profile tab. On bright white vinyl frames, they blend well. On off‑white/almond frames, you’ll notice the contrast. The edges are slightly rounded, which helps the “OEM enough” look. The tabs sit flush when extended; no snagging on blinds or shades.

The pack uses the common slimline shape that works across many brands. That universality is the appeal—and the reason the nose contour may not perfectly match every sash cutout. Functionally, it hasn’t mattered in my installs.

Value

For the price of a couple brand‑specific latches, you get twelve. That’s compelling if you’re rehabbing several windows or you like having spares. Given the performance and the hassle saved versus tracking down exact OEM parts, the value proposition is strong. That said, if you only need one perfect cosmetic match for a showcase room, it may be worth hunting the exact part number.

Tips for success

• Measure twice: confirm the 2‑inch hole‑center spacing and overall footprint against your old latch.
• Mind orientation: left and right are not interchangeable.
• Reuse or choose screws carefully: #6 pan‑head works well; don’t overtighten.
• Align before tightening: nudge the latch toward the jamb so the pawl fully extends.
• Keep expectations realistic: these restrict access but are not a child‑safety device. Always supervise kids near windows and use dedicated safety hardware if needed.
• Cold‑weather caution: avoid forceful impacts on freezing days to protect the plastic.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners needing a quick, clean repair across multiple double‑hung windows.
• Anyone with 2‑inch hole spacing who wants a drop‑in replacement without brand hunting.
• DIYers who prefer value packs and keeping spares on hand.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Property managers needing heavy‑duty parts for high‑abuse environments.
- Users seeking an exact cosmetic match for non‑white or specialty frames.
- Homes where window hardware doubles as a childproofing solution—use dedicated safety latches instead.

The bottom line

The Honoson tilt latches did exactly what I hoped: they restored solid locking, quieted minor window chatter, and made tilting in for cleaning feel smooth again. Installation was quick, the fit was good on my 2‑inch spacing sashes, and the lightweight springs are user‑friendly. The plastic construction is the main compromise—perfectly adequate for typical use, but not indestructible, and not what I’d choose for rough handling or extreme cold abuse.

Recommendation: I recommend these latches for straightforward residential repairs where compatibility and cost matter more than bulletproof construction. Measure your spacing, install with a light touch, and you’ll get a functional, tidy upgrade at a sensible price. If you need the longest possible lifespan under heavy use—or an exact OEM aesthetic—consider a metal‑bodied or brand‑specific alternative.