Window balances 2950

Question

I have a new customer with a house full of windows where the balances are breaking through the sash guides, took one apart and it's a 2950 balance. The only other marking on it is the is8?. The sash guide appears to be 18-161. Just wondering if the balances are to many lbs of spring pressure? I easily lifted the window up and out by myself.

Tom · Accepted Answer

I'm not sure if the 2950 stamp is too strong or not. I would need the precise weight of the sash in order to cross-reference it. I can at least tell you that two balances with a 2950 stamp option can carry sashes weighing 28 through 32 pounds. If your sash is heavier than that, then that's your problem.

Otherwise, it could be a fault with the top sash guides themselves. If these are old guides that haven't been changed in years, then they're probably brittle from sun exposure. New balances with fresh springs might be a little too much for such guides to handle, regardless of the actual calibration of the spring. Just something to consider.