Spiral balance ID

Question

Spiral balances in original circa 1950s non-tilt wooden windows , 3/8" diameter x 26" long. The flat, finger-shaped tab on the end was fastened with a single wood screw to the window frame. I thought that the windows were single hung, but spiral balances are mounted on both top and bottom sashes. Would you ever have a need for top sash balances on single hung windows?

Casey · Accepted Answer

Hello,

You have an old-style spiral balance that is no longer available. You may be able to adapt something like the S500 spiral balance and 17-012 bracket to work, but retrofitting may be necessary, and even then, we can't make any guarantees. The tube measures 9/16" in diameter, but it is considered 5/8" in the trade.

To determine the specifications, you'll need to measure the height of the visible glass in your window sashes and add 3" to determine the length for the bottom sash balances and add 1" for the top sash balances. There is a chart on the product page that explains how to choose your option based on the sash weight. Thank you, and let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Guide: How to adjust a spiral balance on a non-tilt window