What Type of Window Balance is the Most Durable

Have you ever wondered what keeps your vertically hung windows open instead of allowing them to fall back to the sill? When you push a single or double-hung window sash upward to open it, a perfectly functioning sash stays exactly where you left it at the end of your effort. It shouldn't move up or down and it shouldn't take much effort. Hung windows have a balance system that provides the sash to easily move up, down, and stay in place without the support of a block.

Window balances can also be called "window springs," "sash balance," or "window balancer." Commonly called window balances, they hide within the frame of a window but do most of the work.

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What Does a Window Balance Do?
Types of Window Balances
The Most Durable Window Balance

What Does a Window Balance Do?

Hung windows operate vertically. Without a counterbalance acting against the sash's weight, your window would drop down to the bottom of the frame due to the force of gravity, remember gravity pulls everything down. In some cases if the balance is too tight it can be difficult to lower or move at all. They keep the window sashes exactly where you want them to be.

Types of Window Balances

There are several window balance options for hung windows and yes, some are better than others. There are the spiral window balances, block and tackle window balances, the clockspring window balance, the rope and pulley window balance, and the constant force window balance.

Rope and pulley window balances were the original balancing act. They used large weights to act as a counterbalance when mobile windows were first invented. The weights were often hidden in large cavities beside the window jambs. This system was used for ages, in fact, if your home has older windows they likely have a rope and pulley balance system.

The spiral window balance helps you open the window using a spiraled rod inside of a tube. A spring connects to the rod to provide tension that supports the sash. The tension on the sash can be adjusted using a tensioning tool to match the amount of force you want to put into opening and closing the window.

Block and tackle window balances are made of two or more pulleys, a spring, and a cord. The system works to reduce the moving load the homeowner will feel as the pulleys and springs assist you when moving the window sash. Block and tackle balances are very common in modern windows.

Clockspring window balances are often found in older windows and are a less advanced version of the coil spring window balances. They are typically mounted on the sides of the window or your jamb.

Finally, the constant force window balance is a type of coil spring window balance. Constant force balances are small, quiet, smooth, and reliable. The difference in the feel of operation is noticeable with constant force balance systems, these feel much easier to operate than those with other types of balances.

The Most Durable Window Balance

The most durable window balance is the constant force window balance. It is simple, made of a coiled spring that is typically stainless steel in a small rectangular unit. The pieces include the coil, the balance drum, the balance spring cover, and a pivot lock shoe. It enables the window to open and close smoothly, moving similarly to a tape measure to move the sash. The larger the window is, the larger this counterbalance unit since more coils need to be put in it to maintain constant tension.

We sell a variety of windows at Brennan Corp that come equipped with this durable piece of equipment. Some of these include:

If you want a long-lasting window balance in a smooth-opening window kit, there is no better option than windows with a coil spring window balance. When you're ready to talk about windows with a pro make sure to ask about the balance system in the windows. For more information on other window balances check out the related articles below.