Window Balance Replacement

  • My Window Won’t Stay Up!
  • OH MY! A long metal piece has fallen off of my window
  • I can’t lift my window to open it!
  • My window is broken and doesn’t move up and down!
  • My window is stuck open!
  • My window is too hard to operate!
  • My window is crooked or lopsided!

These are just some of the descriptions we’ve heard to describe what happens when a window balance becomes defective, breaks or becomes detached. If your window moves/opens up and down (single or double hung), then it has a pair of balances or weights to hold it up. It could be made out of vinyl, fiberglass or aluminum and made from the 1950s to current day. They would be found in all of the locally manufactured popular brands such as Milgard, Phillips, Empire Pacific Ind. (EPI), Viking, Pella, or Cascade windows. Our team or trained technicians can perform window balance repair and replacement for these and more. If the sash is made out of wood and you know the manufacturer, like Anderson, Marvin or Pella, we can assist you with those as well if you know the series and date of manufacture.

    What does a balance do? As you lift the window, the balance helps you push the window up, reducing the amount of weight you feel and the amount of strength required to open the window.

Then when you pull the window down again, the balance helps you close the window while at the same time helping ensure it doesn’t slam down too fast, potentially trapping your fingers. The sash becomes balanced. Not too heavy or too light. Sometimes sashes are hard to open and just need cleaning. If they are still hard to move, applying wax or a silicone spray may do the trick. We don’t recommend oil based lubricants. You may need window balance replacement if you find these methods don’t work for you.

When do you need to replace them?

  • When the window won’t stay when you lift it up
  • When the window won’t open up at all
  • When it seems to require more effort to open the window than it did before
  • When the window seems to open or close too easily
  • If the window is shooting up or slamming down at the slightest touch.
  • If suddenly one day the window is almost impossible to open or close
  • If the window slams down dangerously fast… These conditions require checking the balances

These are the most common, left to right: Tape Balances used by Anderson Windows, Block and tackle used by most aluminum and vinyl window manufacturers, Spiral Tube balances used in older aluminum single pane windows and Coil or Constant force balancers used in newer wood sash windows by several manufacturers. .

Caution: Changing or replacing balances requires care and caution and in some cases special tools. They are under spring tension and can cause serious harm if not handled properly. Our techs are specifically trained in window coil spring balance replacement and are here to help you. You could say “We talk Balances here!”.

Call us for an estimate and to exchange photos so we can get your windows working properly again.

Tualatin Valley Glass 503-639-4304 and Mobile Screens Etc. 503-245-0048

Contact Us

We offer glass services, including window and door repair/replacement, along with custom installations of shower doors, decorative tabletop glass, shelves, and mirrors in the Portland, OR area.

EMERGENCY

(503) 313-0933

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday-Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Friday 8:30am - 3:00pm

PORTLAND LOCATION

650 NE Holladay St Suite 1600 3273,
Portland, OR 97232

TIGARD LOCATION (MAIN OFFICE)

9448 SW Tigard St Ste B,
Tigard, OR 97223

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