Balance identification help

Thanks for posting, Mudassar. This one is going to be a little complicated, more so because you are missing some balances. I will try to be as thorough as I can.

First, the numbers you gave us (2140, 1940, and 1340) are not identification or product numbers. They only tell us how strong the spring is. That's it. When it comes to identifying balances, there's a lot more that goes into it, especially in your circumstance. You have very special hinged windows that use asymmetrical balances; that means that the two balances on each side of the window ill not be the same. They will have different tops and shoes, and different stamps. We need to figure out what kind of configuration you need in each case.

The first and biggest difference between each balance in your window is that one has both the top and shoe, but the other only has the top. The second balance has no shoe at all. The top is our 19-008 and the shoe is our 15-025. To reiterate, one balance will have both the 19-008 and 15-025, but the other balance on the other side of the window will only have the 19-008. These two balances will also have two different stamps.

I will need you to go through each window and tell me the following pieces of information: 1) The length and stamp on each of the two balances in the window.

2) Which of the two has the 19-008 and 15-025, and which of the two has only the 19-008.

3) How many of each you need.

Once we have that information, we will then need to custom make these balances, as they are not a standard configuration. When giving me the above information, please make sure to separate each group of balances as specifically as you can to avoid confusion. You can split them up by Window A, Window B, etc. That might help.

Let me know if you'd like me to clarify anything.

Thank you! This information is very helpful. There is one thing that gives me a little pause, and it's the difference in length between the 2140 and 1940. While the balances are asymmetrical, the lengths are still typically the same. It sounds like that these windows had some repairwork performed on them across the board, so perhaps one of the two types was an on-site repair.

Concerning the opposite side of the 1340, it's a little easier to nail down. I'm confident that another 14" balance with the 19-008 and 15-025 will work. I'm not sure exactly what option it is that you need for this one, but there are cases of two balances on both side using the same stamp. This isn't exactly common, and I suspect that this is also an "on-site" repair that handy people use for lack of any clearer information. There is a risk that your windows will not operate quite as well as they used to, but without knowing the other option it will be very difficult to determine what is actually needed. With both balances having the same option, I think the difference in window operation will be minor, at worse.

I will send you a custom order form for four types of balances; the 2140 and 1940 for Window A, and the 1340 and another 1340 for Window B. Let me know if you'd like any changes to be made.

It shouldn't take long for us to get these balances out to you, we have everything in stock at the moment. As for the take out clip, the 16-009 is what is most commonly used in this setup. I can't confirm if you have something different in your window for whatever reason, but the 16-009 is what is recommended.

Hopefully I can help with installation instructions! I haven't worked on this window in over thirty years, but I will try my best to walk you through it. First, replace the hinges (15-058) and tilt latch (18-027) on the sash. Attach the sash with the hinge to the window frame, and leave it open. You will need the 16-009 take out clips on both window channels to install the balances before swinging the sash in place. Look at the video on "How to replace a window sash channel balance" on the right side of this page. This step works on the same principle. The balance without the shoe is for the hinge side and the balance with the shoe on the opposite side. Once the balances are in place, swing the sash closed and carefully pull the sash down to engage the balances to the sash. Hopefully this will work for you.