
Channel Balance needed for Philips windows

Quick Learner from Coeur d'Alene, ID
May 9, 2013 11:48 am
Failing, broken, and missing channel balances on Philips windows. All windows same size. They weigh 23.2 lbs each. Windows are terrible to operate. All channel balances are marked 25 5 EL Caldwell. Hope that is enough information to determine what we need. The windows are in the home of an elderly woman. She finds it easy to open the windows and nearly impossible to close them. Is is possible to have channel balances that would make it easier to close these windows?

7 Replies

Tom from SWISCO
May 9, 2013 2:47 pm


Thanks for posting! Before I can offer an applicable replacement for this channel balance, I just need to know a bit more information about the bottom attachment. Please take a look at our 15-004 and 15-005 channel balance shoes, and note their depths. As you can see, they are 1-3/32" deep and 1" deep, respectively. Which one more closely matches your own bottom attachment?

Quick Learner from Coeur d'Alene, ID
May 9, 2013 3:06 pm
Thank you for your speedy reply. You ask a very good question. I'm not even sure if there are channel balance shoes on these windows. I will investigate and get back to you. I'm fairly certain I have not seen anything at all like what is in the links provided but maybe I'm missing something. I'll go back to the house and see what I have. Would it be useful to see a picture of the bottom of the sash to see what might fit into it or to take some measurements?

Quick Learner from Coeur d'Alene, ID
May 12, 2013 12:36 am
It looks like I will be needing the 15-004 shoe. Thank you for working with me on this. I'm also hoping to find a channel balance that will be easy for an elderly woman to close. It seems she can open the windows just fine, it is the closing that is very difficult for her.

Tom from SWISCO
May 13, 2013 9:05 am


Great! If you have the 15-004 shoe, then you're probably looking at our Series 385 channel balance. Take a look and see what you think.
Now, based on your stamp of 25 5, I would say that your metal channel is 26" long. Can you confirm? If so, then I'm not sure if the 25 5 stamp is correct. Two balances with that stamp usually carry a window sash weight range of 25 through 28 pounds. If your sash is only 23.2 pounds, it would account for why the window was so hard to close in the first place. The spring is too strong!
I think our 2540 option would be a better choice. Two balances with this stamp can carry a window sash weight of 19 through 25 pounds, which more comfortably accommodates your sash weight of 23.2 pounds. Let me know what you think.
Now, based on your stamp of 25 5, I would say that your metal channel is 26" long. Can you confirm? If so, then I'm not sure if the 25 5 stamp is correct. Two balances with that stamp usually carry a window sash weight range of 25 through 28 pounds. If your sash is only 23.2 pounds, it would account for why the window was so hard to close in the first place. The spring is too strong!
I think our 2540 option would be a better choice. Two balances with this stamp can carry a window sash weight of 19 through 25 pounds, which more comfortably accommodates your sash weight of 23.2 pounds. Let me know what you think.

Quick Learner from Coeur d'Alene, ID
May 13, 2013 10:12 pm
Measured as per your instructions. For sure 26 inches exactly. Your suggestion of the 2540 makes perfect sense to me. Thank you.
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