Milgard Window Channel Balance : SWISCO.com

Home Owner from Livermore CA

May 30, 2024 11:12 pm

My Milgard window sash is difficult to lift open and slides back down when I let go of it. I suspect the channel balances need replacement, although I don't see any obvious problems with them. I am not the original owner of this house, so I can only assume these are the original channel balances. One channel balance has markings on it (see photo); the other has no markings.

The length of the metal portion of the channel balances is 27".

I hope you can help me identify replacement channel balances.

5 user uploaded images

6 Replies

Casey from SWISCO

May 31, 2024 4:10 pm

Hello,

We'd be happy to help but we'll need a bit more information to determine if you can use our stock balances or if they'll need to be custom ordered. If you could show us the connecting point between the pulley and spring, we can go from there. Thank you!

Home Owner from Livermore CA

May 31, 2024 10:57 pm

OK, here is a photo of the connecting point between the pulley and spring. Also, I weighed the sash and it is 24 lbs.

1 user uploaded image

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 3, 2024 10:13 am

Thanks for getting back to us. With this combination of attachments, you could have either the S380-27 or S385-27 channel balance. You’ll need to measure as shown below. The Series 380 has a 1" bottom attachment, and the Series 385 has a 1-3/32" attachment.

Based, on your 26 3 stamp, I would generally recommend 2630 spring strength options for your replacement balances but they would be calibrated to support a sash between 13-19 lbs.

If you're sure that your sash weighs exactly 24 pounds, we also offer 2640 options to support between 19-26 lbs. Thank you and let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Comparison of the S378, S380 and S385 balance shoes.

Home Owner from Livermore CA

Jun 3, 2024 11:36 pm

OK, I measured the channel balance as you indicated (see photos). This appears to be the 1 3/32 version.

And I weighed the window sash again, and verified that it does weigh 24 lbs.

2 user uploaded images

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 4, 2024 8:45 am

In that case, you would need the S385-27 balances with 2640 strength options.