Historically weight and chain windows were the industry standard until the spiral balance system was introduced. Both homeowners and industry professionals should understand the differences between the two before deciding which type best fits their project.
Weight and Chain System
What is the weight and chain system?
The weight and chain system is essentially a pulley system built into the window frame of a double hung unit. The weight of the window sash (A) is counteracted by a weight (B) results in the requirement of minimal force to lift and lower the heavy window sash.
Pulley System in Weight and Chain Units
Where can weight and chain systems be used?
Weight and chain systems can be used on hung windows of sizes that cannot withstand alternate systems. As long as the weight of the pulley system can counteract the weight of the window sash, the window will be functional.
Why use weight and chain system?
Weight and chain operating systems can accommodate oversized and overweight windows with other operating mechanisms cannot. The system is very dependable with little operational failure, which explains why they have historically been the industry standard. In addition, the ease of operation surpasses windows with comparable systems. Weight and chain windows require very little force to operate resulting in a better user experience.
What are the downsides to weight and chain systems?
This system, while very effective can come at a high price. The complexity of this system results in it being very highly priced. With that being said, the repair of weight and chain systems can be very costly and labor intensive. Because this system is built into the window frame, a repair would require the window frame to be open to access the weight and balance.
Spiral Balance System
What is the spiral balance system?
The spiral balance system consists of a rod connected to a spring placed within a tube, which is installed into the double hung window frame. The rod and spring provide the tension, which counters the weight of the window sash, allowing for the ease of operation. Because windows vary in weight, different balance tubes exist to accommodate the different window weights.
Spiral Balance System
Where can spiral balance systems be used?
The spring balance system is double hung windows are most appropriate for lighter windows. Heavier units are not equipped to tolerate the increased tension and would result in operational failure.
Why use a spiral balance system instead of a weight and chain system?
The most significant reason is price. Due to the minimal technology required to product this system, when compared to weight and chain system, Spiral balance systems are significantly lower in price.
In addition to price point, spiral balance systems are much easier to access, install and repair.
What are the downsides to spiral balance systems?
Unfortunately the down side to spiral balance system is ease of operation. The amount of force required to lift or lower a window sash, is about 30% more than that required by weight and chain windows.
The windows by which the spiral balance system can withstand are limited in comparison to those utilizing weight and chain systems.
Different applications call for different operating systems. For heavy windows, weight and chain windows will be required. For applications utilizing lighter windows, spiral balance double hung windows offer consumers an affordable alternate allowing them to stay within their buddget.
While the operating systems may not affect the look of the window, they are important in the functioning of the units. To understand the type of window systems will help understand if there comes a time when a repair is needed, the cost and complexities of the job. It is important for consumers to become educated as to the functionality so to understand the current units as well as determine what would be the best options for future applications.