Window Hardware Photo Guide: indicators of Window Age & Building History
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Window Hardware Photos, Functions, Part Names, Properties
Window materials & construction
Window & door manufacturers list: where to buy windows & doors, flashings, skylights
Questions & answers about how to identify types and ages of window latches, weights, pulleys, and other controls.

Window hardware and fittings: here we provide photos and description of antique or older window hardware and components as an aid in window part identification and building age.

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Guide to Window Hardware & Parts - Antique & Old

Antique wood framed window, Rugat, Spain (C) Daniel Friedman

In this article series we discuss the selection and installation of windows and doors, following best construction and design practices for building lighting and ventilation, with attention to the impact on building heating and cooling costs, indoor air quality, and comfort of occupants. We review the proper installation details for windows and doors, and we compare the durability of different window and door materials and types. Our page top photograph of a window latch was taken by the author (DF) at the 1840's historic Justin Smith Morrill Homestead in Strafford, Vermont.

See WINDOWS & DOORS our home page for window and door information, and also see WINDOW TYPES - Photo Guide for a photographic guide to window and door types and architectural styles. Our links at page left provide in-depth articles on window and door selection, inspection, installation, problem diagnosis, and repair.

For centuries, even before glass was used for glazing, windows were framed with wood set into building walls. Our photo (left) shows an antique wood-framed window in Rugat, Spain (DF).

Earliest wood framed windows were left open (such as this example from Xotolar, Mexico). Later in areas of more hostile climate windows were glazed with animal skins, then parchment, and finally, glass.

For many years, the material choices for "modern" or new residential windows were limited to wood, clad wood, and aluminum. Wood and clad wood remain the leading materials, accounting for almost 50% of the new and replacement window market. Wood use has been declining, however, with the rapid growth of solid vinyl windows.

Solid vinyl windows made inroads into the replacement window market in the mid-1980s; but they were not widely accepted in new homes until the 1990s, when their use skyrocketed. Solid vinyl windows now account for an estimated 30% of the new-home market and 60% of the replacement market.

Aluminum windows account for about 15% of window sales, with the remaining share of the market spread among fiberglass windows and a variety of hybrids and composites that have entered the fray, making window selection today anything but simple.

Window Latches & Locks

PHOTO of an 1840 window latch on a historic Vermont Home

Here is a photograph of an 1840 window latch on a historic landmark property, the Justin Smith Morrill Homestead in Strafford, Vermont.

At WINDOWS & DOORS and also at WINDOW TYPES - Photo Guide we describe windows and doors as clues to building age, including window style, size, placement, construction, and hardware, as well as door style and hardware.

Here is a photograph of an more modern window latch on the same historic landmark property, the Justin Smith Morrill Homestead in Strafford, Vermont.

This window latch is a precursor to the simple, modern window latch.

This window latch combines a knob, shaft and gears to extend or retract vertical brass bars that latch a larger casement window found on an apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Window Operators & Handles: Awning & Casement Windows

Question: What is The Proper Name for "Window Cranks" on Casement & Awning Type Windows?

For "Window Latches, Fasteners, Tracks, Window Weights, and Window Components as Indicators of Building Age" section, I would like to offer a photo of window hardware and to ask for the exact name of it. It is grateful if you can help. - Ed. - Hong Kong

PHOTO of a window operator crank, Hong Kong (C) 2011 Daniel Friedman & W.H.L.

Reply: Window Operators & Handles

The photo [at left) you sent in common American English is referred to by homeowners or inspectors as a "window crank" but if we accept the terminology used by window manufacturers, the assembly is a "window operator" and the handle is an "operator handle" or "window operator handle".

As you doubtless observed, the assembly combines an internal gear and hinged lever to cause an awning or casement window to open or shut. The window crank in your photo appears to be an older unit, perhaps cast of aluminum or pot metal.

Often we find that the gears on these units are stripped and the crank no longer works. Often the geared (spline) shaft onto which the operator handle mounts has been stripped, or the internal hub of the operator handle that matches with the geared shaft has been stripped internally, usually because the operator was forced when the window was stuck or latched shut.

A check with a major manufacturer of windows in the U.S. (Anderson) confirms that that company also refers to the entire assembly as the "window operator" and refers to the "operator handle" when referring only to the part of the control that is grasped and turned by the user and not the entire assembly.

You can see these details on pages 25 & 34 in Anderson A-Series Casement Windows & Window Parts.

If you intended to ask the specific brand name of the product shown in the photo (above left) we would need to do further research.

Window Rope Repair / Replacement, Window Ropes, Chains, Pulleys, Tracks, Sliders, Controls & Sash Latches

Window ropes (or chains) combined with window sash weights hidden in a cavity along either side of the window frame, were used to offset the weight of the window sash and to ease window opening and closing.

The window rope is secured to the top (red arrow in our sketch, below left) or occasionally to the bottom of the window sash at each side. The rope (or flat metal chain) runs up the side of the window sash in a groove (our photo at far left), passes over a pulley (green arrow in sketch at below left) at the top of the window frame (photo at close left), and extends down into a cavity to its connection at a (usually cast iron) window weight (blue in our sketch at left).

Repair of a broken window rope is not technically difficult, but it requires careful removal of the interior vertical window trim from one (or both sides) to expose the window sash weight and its cavity.

A new window sash rope is tied to the weight, passed up over the pulley and out into the window frame where it is secured (usually by a knot pushed into a hole at the window sash bottom corner).

If you need to replace the sash rope on the upper window sash you will need to remove in this order:

The vertical window trim at one or both sides of the window.
The lower window sash (the unit being repaired in our sketch at above left)
The parting strip that separates the upper and lower sashes: red arrow in our photo (above center). The parting strip is typically tapped into or maybe nailed into a groove in the window jamb sides. If you are lucky you can pry it out for re-use but in our experience [DJF] more often we have to destroy the parting strip to get the thing out. Don't despair. It's trivial to cut or plan a new parting strip out of common pine stock by ripping a slightly over-thick length out of a 1x clear pine board. Then plane or sand the parting strip to fit snugly into the groove in the window jamb. Cut it to length and, after your window rope replacement, tap it into place. Don't glue it - you 'll be cursed by the next fellow.
The upper sash - to expose its rope and rope connection.

Window Sash Control Without Window Rope Replacement

A step up in energy efficiency from just replacing a broken window rope is the combination of insulating the window sash weight cavity and installing an air-tight window sash track. This method re-uses the original window sashes. (For the maximum window energy efficiency gain you'd replace the entire window assembly with replacement, insulated glass sashes - an easy but more expensive step.)

Several manufacturers offer a snap-in window track that uses a spring-loaded or even a simple aluminum center "parting strip" between the two sashes. To make this repair the window pulleys are removed and discarded - typically there are screws at the top and bottom of the pulley that permit it to be removed without any disassembly of the window trim.

But to get the replacement window tracks in place you may need to remove window trim to permit removal of the upper and lower window sashes.

The window ropes are removed from both sashes and discarded. The window weights and some of the window rope or chain are left in the cavity on either side of the window - just push the cut end of your chain or rope through the pulley opening and into the cavity where it will lie fallow.

The replacement window track left and right sides are held in place along with the upper and lower sashes as an entire "assembly" that is then set into the window jamb. Tacking a new outer wood strip molding in place holds the entire assembly in place.

The replacement window track kit usually includes foam or instructions to seal with caulk the surface behind the track - between the back side of the track and the window jamb surface. This step will eliminate drafts around your window sashes even though you're re-using the original window sashes.

The down side of this approach is that you have left the old un insulated cavity on either side of the window - an imperfection in the insulation of the building exterior wall. To insulate that cavity, before we set the assembled sashes and new track in place we drill openings that permit filling the old window weight side cavity with spray foam.

Manufacturers of Windows & Window Parts or Replacement Windows

Andersen Windows and Doors www.andersenwindows.com Vinyl-clad windows and patio doors, including storm resistant models. Also see Anderson A-Series Casement Windows & Window Parts, web search 01/15/2010, original source: http://www.andersenwindows.com/homeowner/pdfs/A-Series_Casement.pdf

Atrium Companies Inc. www.atriumcompanies.com Vinyl and aluminum windows and patio doors

Certainteed Corp. www.certainteed.com Vinyl windows and patio doors

Crestline Windows and Doors www.crestlinewindows.com Wood, vinyl, and aluminum-clad windows and patio doors

Eagle Windows and Doors www.eaglewindow.com Extruded-aluminum-clad windows and sliders with LVL frames and steel entry doors

Fibertec Windows and Door Manufacturing www.fibertec.com Pultruded fiberglass windows and doors

Hurd Windows and Doors www.hurd.com Wood, vinyl, and aluminum clad windows and patio doors

Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors www.jeld-wen.com Wood, vinyl, aluminum-clad, and aluminum windows and patio doors

Kolbe Windows and Doors www.kolbe-kolbe.com Wood, vinyl, and aluminum-clad windows and patio doors

Marvin Window and Doors www.marvin.com Wood and extruded-aluminum-clad windows and patio doors, including true divided lites and storm-resistant models

Milgard Windows and Doors www.milgard.com Wood, aluminum, vinyl, and fiberglass-clad windows and patio doors

MW Windows www.mwwindows.com Wood, vinyl, and vinyl-clad windows and patio doors

Peachtree Doors and Windows www.peach99.com Vinyl-clad and aluminum-clad windows with optional hardwood interior; aluminum-clad, steel, and fiberglass patio doors with optional hardwood interior

Pella Windows and Doors www.pella.com Wood and aluminum-clad windows and patio doors with optional between-the-glass shades and blinds, including storm-resistant models

Thermotech Windows Ltd. www.thermotechwindows.com Complete line of fiberglass pultruded windows

Weather Shield Windows and Doors www.weathershield.com Wood, vinyl, vinyl-clad, and aluminum-clad windows and patio doors, including historic replacement windows and storm-resistant models

WindsorWindows and Doors www.windsorwindows.com Wood and vinyl windows and patio doors, including a line of wood windows with a cellular-PVC exterior

Skylight Manufacturers & Product Sources

Andersen Windows and Doors www.andersenwindows.com Skylights and roof windows with exterior sash clad with glass-fiber-reinforced material

Milgard Windows and Doors www.milgard.com Skylights with aluminum frames (thermal break optional) with vinyl subframes on operable models; optional motorized controls with rain sensor

Pella Windows and Doors www.pella.com Wood interior, aluminum exterior, optional motorized controls, and manual or motorized fabric-pleated shades

Roto Frank of America www.roofwindows.com Wood interior, aluminum exterior, optional motorized controls, and manual or motorized fabric-pleated shades; Sweet16 model fits 16 in. o.c. framing

Velux America Inc. www.velux.com Skylights and roof windows with wood interior and aluminum-clad exterior. Options include insect screens, blinds, motorized controls and shades with rain sensor, electrochromatic glass, and flashing kits for metal and tile roofs and mulled units

Skylight Light Tube Manufacturers & Sources

SolaTube www.solatube.com Light tubes from 10 to 21 in. in diameter; options include electrical lighting, daylight dimmer, and integral bath fan

Sun-Tek Skylights www.sun-tek.com Light tubes from 10 to 21 in. in diameter; options include electrical lighting and multitube Spyder skylight

Velux America Inc. www.velux.com Sun Tunnel light tubes from 14 to 22 in. in diameter with flexible or rigid tubes

Industry Associations for Windows & Doors

American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) www.aamanet.org

Efficient Windows Collaborative www.efficientwindows.org

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) www.nfrc.org Sustainable by Design www.susdesign.com

Shareware calculators for sun angles, solar heat gain, and shading

Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) www.wdma.com

-- Window manufacturer list adapted and paraphrased, edited, and supplemented, with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction.

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WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS - see detailed links at page left

Anderson A-Series Casement Windows & Window Parts, web search 01/15/2010, original source: http://www.andersenwindows.com/homeowner/pdfs/A-Series_Casement.pdf
Basic Housing Inspection, US DHEW, S 352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries; New York State version, ca 1955, source of our window parts and window repair sketches.
Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspect ion services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to reader Ed. - Hong Kong for providing a photo of the window operator for a casement window located in Hong Kong. January 2011.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for adaptations, quotations, or reproductions used at this website. All rights and contents of the JLC material are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
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Guide to Window Hardware & Parts - Antique & Old

Window Latches & Locks

Window Operators & Handles: Awning & Casement Windows

Question: What is The Proper Name for "Window Cranks" on Casement & Awning Type Windows?

Reply: Window Operators & Handles

Window Rope Repair / Replacement, Window Ropes, Chains, Pulleys, Tracks, Sliders, Controls & Sash Latches

Window ropes (or chains) combined with window sash weights hidden in a cavity along either side of the window frame, were used to offset the weight of the window sash and to ease window opening and closing.

Window Sash Control Without Window Rope Replacement

Manufacturers of Windows & Window Parts or Replacement Windows

Skylight Manufacturers & Product Sources

Industry Associations for Windows & Doors

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair