New window coil balances for Certainteed window : SWISCO.com

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 14, 2022 8:57 am

Hi,

I have a Certainteed window and the bottom sash won't stay raised. It appears I need to change the window coil balances. Can you tell from the photos what parts I need?

5 user uploaded images

17 Replies

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 17, 2022 11:46 am

Hello,

We'd be happy to help but we would need to see the pivot shoe and coils of your assembly removed from the window to compare to our inventory. We'll relate a few videos to assist you with the process. Thank you!

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 25, 2022 3:47 pm

Thank you. I've included 2 photos of the pivot shoe, and 2 of the coil. Please let me know if I can provide anything else.

4 user uploaded images

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 27, 2022 8:13 am

Thanks for getting back to us. It looks like you have an old-style Certainteed coil balance assembly. We do offer the new-style 15-192 Certainteed pivot shoe but past customers have reported that they needed to shave the front of the shoe down to install it in their window jamb.

We also offer a conversions video shown below that works for Certainteed coil balances, as well as Simonton. Take a look and review the full process below.

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 27, 2022 10:16 am

Thank you. Do you have any instructions for shaving the 15-192 Certainteed pivot shoe down?

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 27, 2022 10:56 am

There are no written instructions for this process but you would take a utility knife and carefully shave off a little bit at a time until the shoe fits snugly in the window jamb. I would also recommend trying to install it before making any modifications in case it fits as is.

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 27, 2022 11:43 am

Thanks. Could you list the parts I'll need to do the repair with the 15-192 Certainteed pivot shoe?

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 27, 2022 12:57 pm

See our video below that explains the parts that are needed for the Certainteed coil balance, as well as how to assemble it for installation.

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 28, 2022 5:05 pm

My current coils don't have numbered stamped on them. How do I know which of the Series S170 I should get?

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 29, 2022 8:22 am

To determine the correct strength option without the coil stamps, you'll need to remove and weight the window sash. Then, you'll divide the total weight by the number of coils used on both sides of the window, which will give you the necessary strength option.

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 29, 2022 2:27 pm

What unit of measurement should I use for the weight in my calculation?

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 29, 2022 2:30 pm

The sash weighs 6 lbs and 13 ounces.

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 29, 2022 2:42 pm

You would weigh the sash on a standard bathroom scale to confirm the exact weight in pounds. For a sash just shy of 7 pounds, I would recommend using one of the S170-263 on each side of the window.

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Jun 29, 2022 3:46 pm

I just want to double check that S170-263 is the right spring, if there are 2 springs on each side? I attached a picture - the arrows show where there is a spring. My previous photos on June 25 show the springs with the coil and the shoe removed from the assembly.

1 user uploaded image

Casey from SWISCO

Jun 30, 2022 8:09 am

I actually suspect that you originally had one coil on each side and when the coil broken, it seperated into two pieces. I also only see one 15-156 spring cover, which would indicate that you only had one coil.

Regardless, you can use one coil on each side to support the sash weight you've provided. The number of coils isn't important as long as the strength options will support the sash weight when added together. Hope this helps.

Quick Learner from Johnson City, NY

Nov 13, 2022 9:13 pm

Hi, I need a Series 170 spring for a different window. The spring doesn't have a stamped number. The sash weighs 15 lbs. It is supported by 2 springs. Which spring should I buy? The one that supports 7 lbs each, or 8 lbs each?

Casey from SWISCO

Nov 14, 2022 9:11 am

The rule of thumb with coil balances is that as long as the total support is within one pound of the exact sash weight, the window will function properly. Using one S170-407 on each side would support 14-pounds while using the S170-408 will support 16-pounds. Since both springs are strong enough to support within 1 pound of your actual sash weight, either option should work for your repair.