What is this Alenco Window Balance?

Home Owner from Lancaster CA
My windows are made by Alenco, and I'm assuming they were the originals in this home Lancaster California built in 1989. They are worn out and need to be replaced. I'm attaching photos of one of the balances. And here are the measurements:

length from plastic tip to tip = 29" (metal only is 28" long)
The backside measures 1/2" wide
The side measures about 5/8" deep

Is this enough info to identify the part, or do you need more?
User submitted photos of a window balance.
10 Replies
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Thanks for posting. Before I can confirm what Series channel balance you have, I'll have to figure out what your bottom shoe is. Please look at the measurements for our 15-001 and 15-002 bottom shoes and note their depths. As you can see, they are 1-1/8" deep and 1" deep, respectively. Which measurement more closely resembles your own shoe?
Home Owner from Lancaster
In the photo I've posted, which one shows the bottom shoe? The one on the right or the one on the left?
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
The one on the right appears to be your bottom shoe.
Home Owner from Lancaster CA
It would be difficult for me to remove the balance again to look at the shoe. If I can not tell you what my shoe bottom is, can I purchase both the 15-001 and 15-002 series and return the one that does not fit? Alternately, could I order just one series, and perhaps also order just the shoe bottom for the other series, and swap them out myself if needed?

Otherwise, I would have to pay a handyman to come to my home just to remove the balance so I could measure it before ordering. Let me know what your best suggestion is for my situation. Thanks.
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
You can definitely buy the shoes separately and swap them out, if you feel that's best. Take a look at the video below to see how you can replace the shoes on a balance.
However, it's not difficult removing these balances from the window. You shouldn't need a handy man to do it. Check out this other video which details the best way of replacing these balances.
Home Owner from Lancaster
They are 1 1/8" deep. I need to replace both balances for 3 windows. I'm assuming I need to order 6 p[arts. Can you point me to the correct balance now?
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
If you have the deeper 15-001 shoes, then you're probably looking at our Series 390 channel balance. Take a look and see if you agree.
Quick Learner from Fort Worth texas
My Alenco windows were installed in 1994. The spring balance above is same as mine except the window frame has a black plastic stop which restrains the balance so it can work. The stop looks like a decorative tab when installed but has about a one inch length that goes down in the channel and attaches to the window frame which again in turn restrains the balance. Any chance of getting a replacement stop. You can see in the photo the plastic stop is broken


Thank you
2 user uploaded images
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert

Hello! This part is called a "top sash guide." Yours in particular resembles our 18-174. However, you should review our dimensions to ensure that everything matches up.

Detail of 18-174
Detail of 18-174

Side view of 18-174
Side view of 18-174

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