Understanding Casement Window Hardware

Casement windows have been around for centuries in one form or another. Hinged at the side, they swing outward (or inward) like a door and allow the maximum amount of fresh air into your home. While modern casements feature fully integrated hardware such as cranks and pivots, traditional casement windows operate with a series of distinct hardware components. For example, there are butt hinges to swing open, a latch to keep it closed, a sash hold (or stay) to fix the opening position, and sometimes a surface bolt to secure the top. All these elements combine to give casement windows their unique charm and character.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Laililai.

Finding just the right hardware is key if you are restoring vintage casement windows or creating new ones in the traditional style. While the basic requirements are the same &#; hinges, a latch, and a stay - there are many options to choose from. Read on to find everything you need for your windows to look and function exactly as you want.

Casement Window Hinges

Hinges for casement windows are simply smaller versions of the butt hinges used for doors throughout most homes. Made of brass or powder-coated iron with non-rusting stainless-steel pins, they are designed to withstand the elements. The hinge pins are removable, which allows the sash to be taken from the frame for painting or maintenance.

Since most casement windows swing outward, the hinge barrel is visible from the outside, while the hinge leaves are only visible when the window is open. For that reason, some prefer the hinge finish to match the exterior hardware, while others prefer the same finish as the casement stays and latches on the interior. Both are good options - the choice is yours!  

Standard Butt Hinges

The most common type of hinge for casement windows is a 2 1/2&#; x 2 1/2&#; butt hinge. Given their small size, taller sashes require three hinges. You can opt for plain or decorative styles with ball or steeple tips.  

Parliament Hinges

These unique &#;H&#; shaped hinges are ideal for houses veneered with brick or stone or any home with deeply inset windows. The elongated hinge leaves extend the pivot point to the outer edge of the window frame, allowing your casements to swing clear of the trim and lay flat against the wall.  &#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;&#;

Casement Stays

Casement stays keep your windows securely in place, whether they are open or closed. Consisting of a pivoting rod mounted to the sash and a post (or posts) mounted to the sill, they allow you to adjust the degree to which the window opens. Because the sash is attached to the rod, it cannot flap back and forth in the wind. When closed, the casement stay holds the lower part of the sash snugly against the frame, preventing drafts and warping.

Lift-Off Casement Stays

This traditional type of casement hold features a perforated rod held in place by two sill-mounted posts. Hinged in two directions, the rod is lifted to disengage the posts and pivot to set the window opening width. The number of holes in the rod determines the number of positions the window can be fixed. Because the rod is entirely independent of the posts, you can open the window to its full extent - a plus for emergency egress.  

Sliding Casement Stays

Unlike lift-off type stays, the rod passes through an opening in the post and is tightened in place with the knurled knob. The window opening width is completely adjustable, rather than a series of fixed positions, making this a popular option.

Friction Casement Stays

These streamlined sash holds have no knob at all. Instead, the flat rod simply slides into a sleeve, creating friction that holds the window open at any point between zero and ninety degrees. Sleek and understated, they are ideal for modern-style interiors. 

Casement Latches

Mounted at the middle of the sash, a casement latch serves two purposes - it keeps the window secure and serves as a handle to open and close the sash. Latches fall into three categories (see below), each with distinct advantages and best-use cases. Most come with two or three strike options - mortise, surface, and extended - to accommodate a variety of window frame configurations. Styles range from classic traditional and rustic European to sleek contemporary - there is something to compliment every type of home!

Horizontal Handle Latches

This classic style of casement latch features a substantial lever handle that is easy to grasp and operate. Available in large and small sizes, it&#;s a great choice for anyone who has issues with their grip. 

Vertical Handle Latches

Latches with a vertical handle typically project less than those with a horizontal lever. With their low profile, they are a good option for windows with blinds or shutters mounted within the window frame. In some models, the handle sits flat and rotates against the sash, while others have a pendant-style handle that lifts and rotates to disengage the latch.    

Ring Handle Latches

This unique style was popular in the s and 30s. Smaller in profile and projection, it&#;s a good choice for tight spaces or when you simply want a less-conspicuous latch. Please note, it is not necessary to insert a finger into the ring to operate. 

Casement Window Slide Bolts

Slide bolts are a necessary addition to many casement windows. Mounted at the top of the sash, they offer a third point of security in addition to the casement stay at the bottom and the latch at the middle. By keeping the sash tightly in place, they prevent it from bowing. This is an issue with tall windows or those exposed directly to rain. The bolt slides into the frame above the window, so it should be long enough to comfortably reach and operate from a standing position. Since they are typically installed vertically, slide bolts are equipped with an internal tension spring to keep them from slipping down.

Casement bolts are also essential when a pair of windows open together without a central support. Much like a set of double doors, one window must be fixed in place with bolts on top and bottom for the other window to close and latch against.

Cremone Bolts for Casement Windows

Cremone bolts are a single-piece alternative to the usual combination of a sash stay, latch, and slide bolt. Originating in 18th century France, this innovative device features a pair of rods controlled by a handle positioned in the middle of the window. As the handle is turned, the rods simultaneously move upward and downward to engage or disengage the window within the frame. Ideal for pairs of windows that close together without a center support, they also work well on individual sashes, cabinet doors, and even furniture. Cremone bolts are a familiar feature of windows in older European buildings and add a touch of elegance and old-world charm to your home. 

Find All Your Authentic Casement Window Parts at House of Antique Hardware

From hinges and latches, to stays and bolts, House of Antique Hardware has everything you need to restore your vintage casement windows in authentic period style. If you have questions about any of our products or need help with your selection, call our hardware specialists at 888-223-. 

Get to know the most common window design on the market.

If you take a look around the room you&#;re in right now, chances are you&#;ll stare through a casement window. And while you&#;re probably more preoccupied with the view rather than the window itself, the popularity of this design cannot be overstated.

Understanding how these window units work can be beneficial &#; especially when it comes time to replace or install new casement windows. So to help you get a better grasp of casement window parts, functionality, flaws, and how they can be improved, we&#;ve put together this guide.

Navigate this content:

Part 1: What is a Casement Window?

Part 2: Casement Window Glass and Insulation

Part 3: Casement Window Frames

Part 4: Discover a Better Iteration of the Casement Window

Part 1: What is a casement window?

Casement windows are designed to swing outward like a door. They attach to the window frame by one or more hinges on the side. These windows are ideal for airflow and ventilation and for providing an alternative means of escape. Traditional casements open and shut by means of a roto-gear and a crank located at the bottom of the frame. When closed, locking mechanisms on the frame pull the sash up against the frame and lock it into position.

Understanding Casement window parts:

Firstly, the Frame: The frame is the structure that both surrounds and supports the entire window unit. A frame&#;s components can vary depending on the type of window being installed.

Want more information on casement door hinge? Feel free to contact us.

The Glazing: This term refers to the cut piece of glass that fills the window frame. If a window has one pane of glass, it is a single-glazed window; if it has two panes, it is double-glazed; three panes, triple-glazed. Most domestic windows on the market are either double-glazed or triple-glazed.

The Sash: The moveable panel that holds the glass and the framework of the glass firmly locked in place. When you open a casement window, this is the part that actually swings outward.

The Casing: The decorative mold that goes around the window frame on the inside of the home.

The Sill: The horizontal section that forms the bottom of the window frame

The Jamb: A vertical section that connects the interior of the window frame to the interior drywall

The Head: The horizontal section that forms the top of the window frame

The Mullion: A vertical or horizontal element of the frame that forms a division between the different glass units of a window.

The Multi-Point Locks: The locking system that holds the window sash in place in multiple parts along the frame when it is closed.

The Hinges: The components of the casement window that secure the sash to the sides of the window frame (jamb), allowing the window to swing inward and outward.

The Locking Handles: On many standard casement designs, these handles sit in the middle of the sash and facilitate the opening of the window sash (or sashes).

Finally, the Window Crank: A staple of North American window design for years. Cranks are made up of a number of components, but the general idea is simple: The crank mechanism is mounted against the frame on the inside. The user turns the operator arm to open the window, thereby activating a roto-gear which swings the sash outward on the crank&#;s control arm.

The Problem With Cranks on Casement Windows

Their ubiquity aside, window cranks are outdated and prone to gradual degradation over time.

1. Because cranks only work by moving the sash from the bottom, the top of the sash only ever reacts to this movement. Over time, this uneven distribution of weight and motion can cause the sash to warp, sag and bow within the frame.
2. Crank mechanisms will also strip, break, loosen and face seasonal-specific issues over time.
3. Issues surrounding cranks and uneven weight distribution are even more glaring with triple-glazed windows. These windows contain three panes of glass and are far heavier than double-glazed alternatives. More weight means more continuous strain on the crank mechanism.
4. All of these issues mean that cranks require routine maintenance to even function properly, let alone avoid lasting damage to the window unit.

Parallex Hardware: Eliminating the Crank for Better, Longer-Lasting Window Performance

No more clunky cranks, gears, or control arms &#; with Parallex® Hardware, these outdated casement window parts are replaced with an elegant system. Here is how it works:

1. A large galvanized steel rod runs through the internal part of the sash, connecting to parallel tracks that run along the top and bottom of the window frame
2. It forces the top and bottom of the sash to move in complete tandem along parallel tracks. This evenly distributes torque, weight, and movement, eliminating the risk of warping, sagging, or distortion.
3. There is a complete lack of unnecessary mechanical parts. No cranks, no hinges anywhere.
4. This technology improves energy efficiency through tighter seals and creates a wider opening for better views, improved ventilation, and a highly accessible escape route.

Part 2: Casement Window Glass and Insulation

Now that we have an understanding of the various casement window parts, let&#;s zoom in a little further to understand the window&#;s glass.

What Makes Up an Insulated Glass Unit?

Low Emissivity (Low-E) Coated Window Glass: This transparent, incredibly thin coating helps the window reflect unwanted solar heat, allowing homes to cool more efficiently in warmer temperatures. It also reflects the radiant heat emitted by objects inside the home (such as an HVAC unit) back into the home. This helps reduce heat loss during the colder months.

Krypton & Argon Gas Fills: Gas fills are an essential step in creating an insulated glass unit. Manufacturers fill the space between the glass units with gases like krypton or argon. Why not just air? These heavier noble gases can better impede the transfer of heat through a window.

Warm-Edge Spacers: These seals insulate the edges of the glass unit and keep the glass panes firmly apart from each other. Warm-edge spacers are essential to a window&#;s ability to remain energy efficient over the long term.

Part 3: Casement Window Frames

Wood, fiberglass, composite materials, aluminum, and vinyl PVC &#; there are plenty of window frame materials out there. However, when it comes to casement windows, vinyl PVC is by far the most popular frame material on the market. Why?

• It&#;s a cheap, synthetic material with a very low thermal conductivity that makes it very energy efficient.
• These frames are a combination of different plasticizers, pigments and chemicals with hollow chambers that allegedly make for a lighter, more flexible product.
• It&#;s a frame material that allows manufacturers to weld the corners to create a perfect seal.

The Problem With Hollow Vinyl PVC Frames

The problem is that vinyl is not a particularly strong or durable material when used on its own.

While they are certainly a cheaper option, they are ultimately a poor investment. Over the long run, these frames will expand, contract, and often become damaged, resulting in another window replacement venture.

The main reason why homeowners replace their casement windows is that the hollow vinyl frames have failed or lost their seal. So why replace one flawed window design with a newer version of the same thing?

Hybrid Fusion Frames: Aluminum, Steel and Highly-Efficient Vinyl U-PVC

We&#;ve established that vinyl frames are efficient, yet lack strength and durability. The solution, then, is to combine this material with a strong support system to create a window frame that ticks all the boxes. In combining aluminum and vinyl PVC &#; along with the added strength of galvanized steel &#; Hybrid Fusion Frames are both extremely strong and highly efficient. With more strength, these frames can have a slim, stylish profile that places visual emphasis on the window&#;s glass and the outdoors beyond.

Part 4: Discover a Better Iteration of the Casement Window

We&#;ve covered casement window parts, features, flaws, and key areas of innovation. Finally, we want to help you understand how we put it all together to create a more durable, stylish, high-performance casement window.

Other Key Casement Window Parts & Components

Retractable Insect Screens and Blinds: With retractable screens and blinds, you can have complete control over when, where, and to what extent your screens are in use.

Custom Glass Formulation: Install energy-efficient casement windows that fit your home. Because we formulate all of our own glass units in-house, we can help ensure that your windows and doors are matched to your specific preferences, climate, and home&#;s construction.

Style and Aesthetics: From custom grill patterns and colour schemes to shapes textures, we can help you install beautiful custom windows that improve the look of your home and that can help you achieve your vision.

Have More Questions About Casement Window Parts, Performance, or Replacement?

Magic&#; has installed innovative, high-performance windows and doors in the GTA and surrounding areas for over 40 years. Therefore, if you have more questions about the performance of your casement windows, book a free, no-hassle consultation with one of our representatives today!

Learn More About Window Replacement On Our Blog:

The company is the world’s best single roller for door supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.