need a stronger balance?

Home Owner from Gainesville, Fla

Apr 16, 2022 10:00 am

I have a non-tilt window that hasn't been able to stay up on its own since shortly after we got the house 20 years ago.

After reenacting your AWESOME video about how to remove the window, I see the balances are stamped with

22 4 EU CMC 4

How do I go about getting a set of balances that have a bit more strength?

8 Replies

Lauren from SWISCO

Apr 19, 2022 8:01 am

Hello, thank you for posting!

To move forward, we will need to see pictures of your balance removed from the window channel with clear images of the top and bottom nylon attachments. To determine if a stronger spring strength is needed, I will need to know the weight of the window sash. Thank you!

Home Owner from Gainesville, Fla

Apr 24, 2022 8:34 am

Thanks for getting back to me the sash weights 17.8 pounds.

3 user uploaded images

Tom from SWISCO

Apr 25, 2022 9:28 am

Hello! Lauren isn't here today, but I can do my best to assist.

Based on the data given, I can tell you that your balance is 23" long. Ordinarily it would require a 2240 stamp option (our version of your older "22 4" stamp), but you gave your sash weight as 17.8 pounds. That means that the 2240 would be too strong, since it carries 19 pounds minimum. Therefore you should consider the 2230 stamp option instead (12 through 19 pounds).

I can't quite ID the Series, though, which is represented by the top and bottom nylon fittings. Your photos here only show the bottom fitting. If you can show me the top then I can narrow down the list of possible replacements for you considerably. Right now there are just too many possibilities.

Home Owner from Gainesville, Fla

Apr 25, 2022 11:58 am

Thanks, Tom,

I've attached a picture of the other end.

Could it be that I simply need to do a direct replacement? The thing has never worked as well as it should, so maybe I got a weak balance set from the factory?

Also, the window is the sole exit window to the 'bonus room' over our garage. Is it possible there is some code requirement that it be easier to open?

1 user uploaded image

Tom from SWISCO

Apr 25, 2022 3:37 pm

Perfect, thanks! It definitely sounds like whoever installed these put in the wrong spring. 2240 is just too strong to comfortably support a 17.8 pound sash. I don't know of a code that requires a balance to be easier to open, but if there was then putting a stronger spring in the window wouldn't be the solution. What happens then is that the window becomes too hard to close, which sounds like your exact problem.

Balances are delicate systems. Too weak and the window is hard to open, too strong and the window is hard to close. You want it to be just right in all cases. I don't think there's any code that would contradict that rule.

Based on this new photo, my first recommendation is the S395-23 with a 2230 stamp option. This has a 19-005 top and 15-001 bottom nylon fitting, so as long as their dimensions match yours then it should work perfectly.

Home Owner from Gainesville, Fla

Apr 25, 2022 4:20 pm

I must have miscommunicated my problem. The window opens OK but won't stay open. I have to use a piece of wood to keep it from sliding back closed.

But this has been the situation almost for years and so I honestly don't know if the thing was OK at some point in ancient history and then broke. Or if it never worked any better than it does now.

And I will reweigh the sash to be sure I wrote the number down correctly.

Tom from SWISCO

Apr 26, 2022 8:04 am

Oh, I'm sorry for misunderstanding. If the sash won't stay up then that implies that the spring is too weak; that wouldn't be the case if your sash is 17.8 pounds, though, since the 2240 option is rated for a heavier load.

I suppose it's possible that your balance springs are simply broken. That would have the same result regardless of what kind of calibration we're dealing with.

In either event, triple check the weight of the sash and choose appropriately. You can see a chart on the S395-23 store page that tells you exactly how much weight each option supports.