Guide liner

Question

I need guides and possibly balances for some windows in a 1940's cottage I am restoring. As shown in the attached photo the sash dimensions are approximately 1 3/4" wide and 46" in height. Do you have these items or if there is a newer version that will work do you have it? Thank you - Jack

Tom · Accepted Answer

Thanks for your patience during this busy season, Jack. I don't see balances in your photos, but I can say with confidence that you're probably not going to find an exact match anywhere. These are very old and odds are good that these balances haven't been made for the better part of the last century.

Regarding alternatives, being a wood window you could use one of our non-tilt spiral balances. See our Series 500, along with the 17-012 bracket. We use these for old wood windows all the time and they work well.

To get the appropriate size, measure the height of the visible glass and add 3" for the bottom sash, or 1" for the top sash (if it even uses balances to begin with). You'll also need to get the weight of the sash to select the proper stamp option.

Installation is trickier. If there's no room on the sides to allow for these balances, then you need to make room. This is going to vary from window to window and it will take a lot of creative improvisation, so that's not something we can advise on. Speaking from personal experience, do your best to work with the window with as few alterations as you can manage.