Window balance question

Handy Person from USA

Nov 11, 2014 11:56 am

I am looking to replace the channel balances on 9 identical non-tilt windows and would like to know, what determines the 'series' of channel balance to use? My balances are of the 1/2" (9/16") variety, are 29" long, and look to have the 15-003 shoe and 19-002 guide.

Thank you for your help and time.

Regards,
Ken R

7 Replies

Paul from SWISCO

Nov 14, 2014 9:15 am

A Series is determined by the nylon attachments, as you've rightly guessed. We could custom make a balance with a 19-002 top and 15-003 bottom, but I would double check your shoe, though. 15-003 is not all that common.

It would be more likely that you have a 15-001 or 15-002. The Series 351 uses the 15-002 while the Series 390 uses the 15-001. Please carefully compare their dimensions to your own hardware and see which is a better match.

Comparison of 15-001 & 15-002

Home Owner from Texas

Nov 15, 2014 6:00 pm

Thank you for your reply. I have trippled checked the bottom shoe measurements and mine is the 15-003. Now I'm starting to wonder if the windows were ever built properly. I have pulled the sashes on 9 of the 5 windows and only 1 channel balance is in working order. Seems most top sash guides are also broken. I take it the top sash guide and balance tops need to match, correct?

Ken R.

Paul from SWISCO

Nov 17, 2014 9:28 am

Yes, I think pictures at this stage would be best. Please show us a top sash guide (as undamaged as possible) and the nylon attachments of your balance, both top and bottom. Thanks!

Quick Learner from Texas

Nov 17, 2014 1:46 pm

The sash guide is 7/8" wide by 27/32" deep by 1.5" long - screw hole is 15/16" from top. The top shoe is 1/2" wide by 11/16 deep by 1.25" long. The bottom shoe is 1/2" wide by 1-3/16" deep by 1-1/16" long.

User submitted photos of a window balance.

Tom from SWISCO

Nov 20, 2014 10:22 am

Thank you for getting back to us! Our 18-138 top sash guide is longer than yours, but that shouldn't matter. What matters is the width that fits in sash, which is 3/4", and the screw hole placement, which is 1".

If you're confident you have a 15-003 shoe, then we can custom make your balance for you. I'm going to email you a custom order link and price quote that you can use to place an order on our website. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Quick Learner from Texas

Nov 23, 2014 3:11 pm

Thank you for help and suggestions. I have ordered 18 of both the channel balances and top sash guides, and look forward to having rejuvinated/operating windows. Ken