Atrium window channel balance have fallen down

Home Owner from USA
We have Atrium metal single hung windows where one of the spring balance has fallen down. The problem is that on EVERY window in the house the previous owners removed that popup latch/catch that allows me to remove the bottom sash to replace or reset the balance. Do you sell these latches or catches? Unfortunately there is also no kind of model number or anything else other than Atrium on the lock to ID the window. Any advice much appreciated.

I took some pics of the window showing where I assume the take out clips would be as well as the locking latch (the only thing that actually IDs these windows as Atrium) plus an over all picture of the window and one of the spring balance( (not sure if that is the correct description) that fell that led to this whole process.

If I can get this sash out of the frame I can then see if that balance is broken or just off the window and go from there but need to find out what I need to get the window out.

Thanks Again,
Mark
User submitted photos of window hardware.
9 Replies
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Thanks for posting, Mark, and for the detailed pictures. Take a look at our 16-002 take out clip. I think this might be what you're looking for.

In the meantime, you can temporarily substitute the take out clip with a simple screw. Just drill it into the jamb so that when you raise the sash, the balances engage the screws as they would the take out clip. Then you can pop the sash out and take a better look at your channel balances.

You may also want to see our handy tutorial guide on how best to remove this type of balance for more information.
Handy Person
Tom,

Thank you for your suggestions!! After watching that video I realized with that one channel balance sitting loose I would be able to remove the window without the takeout clips. It came out of the bottom attachment so I put it back in there (after some tweaking with pliers) and temporarily held them in place with some small S hooks I had sitting on my desk (which is actually next to the window). I was able to get the window back in place and it works again. I know this was a quick fix but will be ordering those clips to replace on all the single hung windows. Are these clips universal so they will fit these windows?
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
That's a great solution! Very clever. As for the 16-002, I wouldn't say that they're universal, but they are the most common take-out clip used for these types of balances. You will have to check the spacing of the holes in your jamb to make sure it can work.
Handy Person
Tom,

Thanks, it was just sheer luck I had them sitting right there and they worked. I know I need the real clips for easier cleaning of windows, etc.

Do you have any info on the dimensions from the top of the clip to the top inside portion of the lower curve? This would tell me if it would fit into the 2 slots in the window frame. I measured it with my caliper and it is 1.07" basically an inch.

Thanks
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
Certainly! I took out my own calipers and got .901". Do you think you can get it to work?
Quick Learner from El Mirage AZ
Thank you SO MUCH! I have the exact same Atrium windows with the exact same problem (the channel balance fell out on one side) AND the takeout clips were missing on my wondows too! I used a couple of small screws to replace the missing takeout clips and was able to reset the channel balance. And I didn't even break the window! Lol! Thanks so much. Your a lifesaver. :)
Tom
Tom from SWISCO
SWISCO
Expert
That's great news. I'm so glad we were able to help! If you need anything else, please let me know.
Quick Learner from Portland, OR
Perfect, thank you - I wasn't visualizing it well till i watched your video. The balance sash keeps popping out of the takeout clips. These Atrium windows are sliding piles of junk.
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