- Measures 5/8" (16 mm) depth — commonly referred to as 1/2" (13 mm) in the trade
- Available in 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 weight-range balances in lengths from 13" to 43" (330 mm to 1.09 m)
Each CRL
FA Series 4/40 and 5/50 Weight Range Sash Balances requires nylon top and bottom guides to be riveted to the channel. Customers may order:
- Channel balances with guides factory pre-attached for fast installation, or
- Guide kits (rivets included) to mount guides in the field.
CRL also offers the Cat. No. H3740 Rivet Set Tool, which mushrooms rivets for a stronger, more reliable set — a useful tool for installers working with replacement window channel balances and sash hardware.
Ordering Tips for FA Series Sash Balances
1. Remove the existing channel balance from the window and measure the metal channel only. Do not include the guides. Measure to full inch increments.
NOTE: A few manufacturers used special 1/2" (12.7 mm) increment channel lengths; these are not regularly stocked but can be special ordered.
2. Always check the stamped or laser-etched number on the back of the channel balance (four digits or two digits and a letter, e.g., 2710 or 27-1). Use that number to match the CRL catalog number. For example:
- Stamped 1710 or 17-1 on an 18" (457 mm) channel → CRL Cat. No. FA1710
- Stamped 2610 or 26-1 on a 27" channel → CRL Cat. No. FA2610
The chart also shows a vent weight range (sash weight per pair). Note that weight ranges do not account for excessive weatherstrip friction.
Special and Custom Weight Ranges
Standard stocked balances span FA1210 to FA4240 with the 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 designations indicating counter-balance weight ranges. If the stamped number shows 90 or 9 (for example 2790-26), that balance was made to carry a specific sash weight (26 lb per pair in that example). A "DS" suffix (e.g., 27DS-34) denotes a balance made specifically for a 34 lb sash and may be intended for upper or lower sash use — provide this information when ordering special-weight balances.
Product Warning:
The first two numbers of the CRL catalog number do not represent the channel length. Always verify by measuring the metal channel and/or using the stamped identification number.