Steel casement windows have long been a staple in architectural design, gracing the facades of countless historic buildings and homes. Their timeless appeal and durability have made them a popular choice among homeowners and architects alike. In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating world of vintage steel casement window hardware, exploring its history, design, and functionality.
The origin of steel casement windows can be traced back to medieval Europe, where they were commonly used in castles and churches. These early windows were made of wrought iron and featured intricate designs, reflecting the craftsmanship of the time. As architectural styles evolved, so did the design of steel casement windows. By the 19th century, they were a popular choice for industrial buildings and factories, thanks to their strength and durability.
In the early 20th century, steel casement windows gained popularity in residential architecture, particularly in the Art Deco and Modernist movements. Architects such as Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe embraced the sleek, minimalist aesthetic of steel casement windows, incorporating them into their iconic designs.
The hardware used in vintage steel casement windows is as much a part of their charm as the windows themselves. From handles and hinges to latches and stays, each piece of hardware serves a specific function while also contributing to the overall aesthetic of the window.
Handles are perhaps the most visible and frequently used piece of hardware on a steel casement window. Vintage handles often feature intricate designs, reflecting the craftsmanship and attention to detail of the time. They can be found in a variety of materials, including brass, bronze, and iron, and may be adorned with decorative elements such as scrollwork or floral motifs.
Latches are used to secure the window in a closed position, ensuring a tight seal against the elements. Vintage latches are often designed to complement the handle, featuring similar materials and decorative elements. Some latches also serve as locking mechanisms, providing an added layer of security for the home.
Hinges and pivots are the unsung heroes of steel casement window hardware, allowing the window to open and close smoothly. Vintage hinges are typically made of brass or bronze and may feature decorative elements to match the rest of the hardware. Pivots, on the other hand, are often hidden from view, but play a crucial role in the window's operation.
Stays and operators are used to control the opening and closing of the window, as well as to hold it in place when open. Vintage stays are often made of brass or bronze and may feature decorative elements such as scrollwork or finials. Operators, which are used to open and close the window, can be found in a variety of styles, from simple lever mechanisms to more elaborate crank systems.
Preserving the beauty and functionality of vintage steel casement window hardware requires regular maintenance and, in some cases, restoration. Here are some tips for keeping your hardware in top condition:
Clean hardware regularly with a soft cloth and mild soap to remove dirt and grime. Avoid abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the finish.
Lubricate hinges, pivots, and other moving parts with a silicone spray or light oil to ensure smooth operation.
Inspect hardware for signs of wear or damage, such as loose screws or broken parts. Replace or repair as needed to maintain proper function.
If hardware is heavily tarnished or corroded, consider professional restoration to bring it back to its original beauty.
If you're looking to replace or restore vintage steel casement window hardware, there are several places you can turn to find authentic pieces:
Architectural salvage yards: These treasure troves of reclaimed materials often have a wide selection of vintage hardware, including handles, hinges, latches, and more.
Online retailers: Many online retailers specialize in vintage and antique hardware, offering a vast array of options for steel casement window enthusiasts.
Specialty shops: Some brick-and-mortar stores focus on vintage and antique hardware, providing a hands-on shopping experience for those seeking the perfect piece.
In conclusion, vintage steel casement window hardware is an integral part of the timeless appeal and functionality of these classic windows. By understanding its history, design, and maintenance, you can ensure that your steel casement windows remain a beautiful and functional feature of your home for years to come.
Casement windows are the most common style of window. They feature hinged panels that swing open and closed. Casement windows are available in single panels or multiple panels. The direction a door swings, either to the right or the left, is called the handing. In addition to handing, window are identified as either inswing or outswing depending on whether they open into the house or towards the outside.
Our team of experts will work with you to develop a bespoke plan that fits your needs. We take a holistic approach to the planning process, combining our technical expertise with our knowledge of customer requirements and project constraints.
Doorwin provides one-stop solution for professional windows doors manufacturer and installation. We have been serving customers with our high quality and branded products in United States, Asia and worldwide.
This newly built private house is in Sydney, Australia. The area occupied by the fenestration system in our scheduled design drawings was up to more than 110 square meters. A wide range of design details made the perfect mix of modern aesthetics and traditional sophistication, the simulated vertical hung windows with tilt & turn opening systems in this home are absolutely breathtaking. SDLS (Simulated Divided Lites with Spacer Bar) brings some historical vintage feeling to the whole building without losing any energy saving performance. Long narrow fixed windows creating larger-than-life expenses, coupled with German high-end systems made this project stand out from the rest.
The client's idea was to maintain a certain vintage feel, and our aim was to meet the energy efficiency needs and standards of modern houses as much as possible while maintaining a retro design. Doorwin’s 61S simulated hung windows with tilt & turn openings is a respectful modernization of a classic architectural masterwork.
Why choose the tilt and turn opening method?
Because it generally has better air seals than sliding, single hung, or double hung window frames. Tilt and turn windows form a complete seal when fully closed, this means they are less prone to water leakage, and cold draughts and you’ll keep more of your heating indoors where it belongs. They can be opened in the upper tilt way to ventilate at a minimum opening status and are easy to clean outside of the glass; when there’s a good day, they can be opened as normal inward casement windows.
Our well-crafted bespoke systems enhance the functionality and panoramic view of this modern house.
Huge, fixed glass walls up to seven meters long and two meters high bring great lighting and open views, making it really refreshing to the mind. Five meters high long narrow windows give the whole building a contemporary aesthetic.
Every window’s placement and shape not only add to the uniqueness of this home but also provide a more energy-saving ability for the owners.
Doorwin energy-efficient integrated glazing units feature double-pane glass, warm-edge spacers, argon gas fill, Low-E coatings, and fully tempered glass, they can not only create a comfortable and natural indoor environment but also save electricity bills and heating bills of more than 100 USD for the owner, it’s a real bargain compared to choosing a regular glazing set.
Aluminum Door offered an air of uniqueness and elegance to a home. With their luxurious patterns and beautiful finishes, it provides this house with a bounty of aesthetics and security. Aluminum entry doors allow you to resist any weather extremes, corrosion, and pests. So aluminum is one of the most resilient and durable materials you can select for front doors considering the price/performance ratio.
With pieces of double panes, and Low-E tempered glass. The door provides a good insulation performance.
Divided lite windows and doors offer unique architectural solutions for buildings without compromising energy efficiency or aesthetics. Doorwin provides multiple muntin and glass options to customize your divided lite windows and doors. Further customization is available with a variety of colors and materials, creating an infinite number of design combinations to best suit your style.
In this project, we use SDLS (simulated divided lites with spacer bars), these bars permanently adhere to both sides of the glass, and spacer bars are installed between the glass, this is the most energy-efficient way to create the look of classical décor grilles. The windows in the bathroom bedroom and study have an Arch Transom Design, making these rooms, which are often used by the owner, have some traditional aesthetics.
BTW, Doorwin offers free design assistance, so if you need a custom design like this one, contact us right away and we will provide you with the most aesthetically and functionally pleasing design solution.
For windows and doors, hardware is as important as the engine is to the car. The continuous technological innovation of the European hardware industry has strongly promoted the performance improvement and functional innovation of windows and doors. In this project, Doorwin uses Hoppe™ multi-point locks, hinges, and handles from Germany.
Multi-point lock systems provide not only the burglar-resistance but also a tighter compression seam, making the window keeps good energy-efficient performance. Together with Technoform Bautec’s insulation edge bond and sealant strips, these make up our products' top insulation and energy-saving performance.
We have several international patents to reduce clients’ labor costs, such as our unique flanges and assembly type tubular design, which is different from the other products on the market. What sets us apart among Chinese counterpart is that all our products are equipped with nail fin structures for quick and easy installation. Labor costs during installation may exceed of the window and door price, therefore, our exclusive patent allows users to not only get a significant increase in installation efficiency, but also greatly reduce the labor cost of window and door installation. A cost that may bring you unexpected savings that far exceed the price difference you may care about now.
With our own expertise, we provided the no-cost design development and contract documentation with CAD & BIM drawings, including elevation, details about the project, and installation help.
Before production, we will provide accurate sample drawings, which will clearly show the cross-sectional pattern, size, opening method and direction, pattern of the warm spacer, and the installation nodes. We will not go into production until you have signed off on the drawing to ensure that you receive a final product that meets the exact requirements of your project.
Doorwin's professional packing system guarantees all products are delivered safely and without any damage. We apply a four-point packing system. Firstly, adhesive plastic film is applied on interior wood frames and exterior aluminum frames to avoid scratches on the surface. Then, a paper board is applied after we apply air bubble film surrounding the whole windows/ doors to avoid any destruction or clash. Lastly, we place them into a durable non-fumigation plywood crate to avoid any possible damage during transportation.
With years of experience shipping our products worldwide, we could guarantee to ship our products to their final destinations intact and without any damage.
Doorwin is one of the most professional window & door manufacturers are known for its great customized products. In Doorwin, a variety of colors, styles, and sizes of products are available to meet the client’s unique requirements. We own three ISO9000-certified modern factories in China. With a factory area of 20,000 m2 and a production capacity of 100,000 m2 per year. Doorwin Group has the scale to ensure timely delivery and the flexibility to reduce manufacturing lead times to as short as 18 days.
Awning Windows
Bay & Bow Windows
Casement Windows
Creak Out Casement Windows
Specialty Shape Windows
Picture Windows
Single Double Hung Windows
Tilt & Turn Windows
Sliding Windows
Bi-Fold Windows
Gliding Patio Doors
Bi-Fold Doors
Lift and Slide 
Entry Doors
Swinging Doors
Pivot Doors
Garage Doors
Interior Doors
