When it comes to architectural beauty, old steel casement windows hold a special place in the hearts of many. These windows, which were popular from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, are known for their slim profiles, elegant lines, and timeless appeal. As more people seek to restore and preserve historic homes, the interest in old steel casement windows has grown. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the history and allure of these windows, discuss common issues and maintenance tips, and provide guidance on how to restore or replace them to maintain their original charm.
Steel casement windows first gained popularity during the Industrial Revolution, as advancements in metalworking made it possible to create durable and attractive window frames. They quickly became a popular choice for architects and builders due to their strength, versatility, and slim profiles, which allowed for larger expanses of glass and unobstructed views. In the United States, steel casement windows were especially popular in the first half of the 20th century, gracing the facades of countless homes, apartment buildings, and commercial structures.
There's something undeniably captivating about old steel casement windows. Their elegant lines and industrial aesthetic can instantly transport you to another era, evoking images of classic European architecture or the glamour of early Hollywood. For many homeowners, the decision to restore or replace these windows is driven by a desire to preserve the unique character and charm of their historic homes.
While steel casement windows are known for their durability, they are not immune to the ravages of time. Common issues include rust, peeling paint, deteriorating weatherstripping, and broken or missing hardware. Regular maintenance is essential to keep your windows in good working order and prevent further damage.
Here are a few maintenance tips to help you care for your old steel casement windows:
1. Inspect and clean regularly: Regularly inspect your windows for signs of rust, peeling paint, or other damage. Clean the frames and glass with a mild soap and water solution, and use a soft brush to remove dirt and debris from the corners and crevices.
2. Lubricate moving parts: To ensure smooth operation, apply a silicone-based lubricant to the hinges, handles, and other moving parts at least once a year.
3. Replace weatherstripping: If your windows are drafty or leaking, it may be time to replace the weatherstripping. This can be done with adhesive-backed foam tape or V-strip, both of which are readily available at most hardware stores.
4. Repaint as needed: If the paint on your window frames is peeling or flaking, it's important to address this issue promptly to prevent rust and further damage. Carefully remove any loose paint, sand the surface, and apply a high-quality metal primer followed by a durable exterior paint.
If your steel casement windows are in need of more than just routine maintenance, you may be faced with the decision to restore or replace them. Here are some factors to consider when making this decision:
1. Historic significance: If your windows are original to your home and contribute to its historic character, restoration is often the best option. This may involve repairing or replacing damaged components, such as glass, hardware, or weatherstripping, as well as repainting the frames.
2. Budget: Restoration can be more labor-intensive and costly than replacement, especially if your windows have significant damage or require custom-made components. However, the investment may be worth it if you value the historic authenticity of your home.
3. Energy efficiency: While old steel casement windows can be made more energy-efficient with proper maintenance and weatherstripping, they may still fall short of modern standards. If energy efficiency is a top priority for you, consider replacing your windows with new steel casement windows or another energy-efficient option that complements your home's architectural style.
4. Availability of replacement parts: Finding replacement parts for old steel casement windows can be challenging, especially for rare or custom designs. In some cases, it may be necessary to have parts custom-fabricated, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
In the end, the decision to restore or replace your old steel casement windows will depend on your priorities, budget, and the specific needs of your home. Whether you choose to preserve their historic charm through careful restoration or opt for the energy efficiency and convenience of modern replacements, your windows will continue to be an integral part of your home's unique character and appeal.
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
