Plygem Window balances, springs, tilt latches

Home Owner from Mint Hill NC

Apr 2, 2018 4:49 pm

I have several of these windows with broken balances, tilt latches. The actual channel is 36", spring is 20.5" from one end of hook to the other. I can't find a stamp on the channel. I do have a parts list from Plygem from a couple of years ago if it would help.

5 user uploaded images

4 Replies

Tom from SWISCO

Apr 4, 2018 11:17 am

We can replace this balance, though it would have to be specially made. Before we begin, can you tell me the weight of the sash? Since you have no stamp, we'll need that to calculate spring strength. Can you also tell me how many you need?

That tilt latch is also kind of a weird one. Could you show me a picture of it from a few more angles? I would also like to know its measurements, if possible.

Home Owner from Mint Hill NC

Apr 4, 2018 12:27 pm

These windows are at a beach house we rent out. I am going down there Friday and can get the weight of the sash - which I assume is the window. Is there a way to get that weight short of standing on a scale? Is it stamped somewhere? I have about 4-5 windows that one or both balances are broken but I can get a more exact number after I go down there. I need the shoes (is that the right word?) as well. I am attaching pictures of the latch. Would it help if I just sent you the balance, spring, latch, shoe that I have?

2 user uploaded images

Paul from SWISCO

Apr 6, 2018 9:38 am

Thank you! Those pictures are a huge help. I believe you have our 26-243 and 26-244. Carefully go over our measurements and let me know what you think.

Now let's go back to the balance. The sash is the square glass panel that slides up and down when you open and close it. It's what the balances support, so knowing how heavy it is will let us calculate the proper spring strength. Normally the stamp on the metal channel tells us this information, but you mentioned your balance doesn't have one so this is our next best bet.

If you wanted to double check, the stamp is usually located on the front side of the metal channel. For reference, your pictures in your first post show us the back of the metal channel, where the spring usually goes. The stamp is usually on the opposite side.

I'm afraid holding the balance in hand wouldn't really help us at this point. That wouldn't tell us how strong the spring is. The stamp or the sash weight are the only way to get this information.

Other than that, this would be our S795-36 but with the top clip swapped out for our 15-198 hook and the bottom shoe swapped out for our thinner 15-194. Once I know the sash weight, I can send you a special order link and price quote.