A man props his bedroom window open with a paperback every night. It’s been like that for two summers. The window slides down by itself otherwise, and once it clipped his elbow when he leaned out to check the weather.

That’s a worn friction stay, and the paperback is a very human workaround. Here’s what stays do, why they fail, and how aluminium window repairs sort it out without much drama.

What a Friction Stay Does

Awning and casement windows swing out on small metal arms called friction stays. They hold the window at whatever angle you pick, and they provide control as it opens and closes. When they’re healthy, you barely notice them.

Over time the friction wears out. The window starts to drop, stick, or flop open in the wind. Worse, it can fail to seal when closed, which brings drafts and rain into the room.

Signs of Wear

The paperback trick is one. Others include a window that won’t hold position, a stiff or jerky swing, visible rust on the arm, or a bent stay that looks buckled. Sometimes you’ll hear a squeak that no amount of oil fixes.

If the window catches against the frame when you close it, the hinges are probably worn too. Those problems often arrive together.

What the Repair Looks Like

ADWS replaces buckled, rusted or loose stainless steel friction stays on both residential and commercial windows. Stainless steel resists corrosion, which suits coastal conditions around Auckland. The new stays restore smooth, controlled movement.

For windows that sag or catch the frame, the team realigns and replaces hinges to restore a perfect fit. That’s a bigger job than a quick squirt of lubricant, but it’s the one that actually lasts.

Heavy Glass, Heavier Stays

Large panes need stronger hardware. ADWS installs heavy duty stays for big glass panes, so the window doesn’t slump under its own weight. If you’ve got a wide awning window, mention it when you ask for a quote.

It also supplies restricted opening stays for places where windows must not open too far, such as childcare centres and high rise buildings. That’s a separate need but it uses similar parts.

Why It Matters for Sealing

A window that doesn’t close tightly can’t seal. Worn stays leave small gaps against the rubber seals, and those gaps let in whistling wind, cold air and rain. People often blame the seals, when the stays were the real problem.

That’s why good aluminium window repairs look at the whole assembly. Replacing a seal without fixing the stay might help for a few weeks. Then the draft returns.

Matching Parts to Your Windows

Old windows and new ones use different hardware. ADWS stocks replacement parts compatible with both modern and older New Zealand residential and commercial window suites. That’s helpful if your house is thirty years old.

Having the right part on the van means the repair usually happens in one visit. It’s far better than ordering parts and waiting a fortnight.

Getting a Quote

Take a few photos. Show the whole window, the stay at full extension, and any rusted or bent bits. A short note about what the window does helps. “It drops when I open it halfway” is perfectly fine.

Free quotes come from photos, and in some cases the team visits in person. The area covered includes Pukekohe, Franklin, Manukau, Papakura, the Eastern Suburbs and Eastern Bays, plus selected Auckland City areas. North Shore and the city centre fall outside it.

Wrapping It Up

A worn friction stay is one of the cheaper window faults to fix, and one of the most annoying to live with. Put the paperback back on the shelf and get the window working.

FAQs

What is a friction stay?
It’s the metal arm that holds an awning or casement window open and controls its movement.

Why does my window keep dropping?
Worn or buckled stays lose friction, so the window can’t hold its position.

Can you fix older windows?
Yes. ADWS stocks parts for both modern and older New Zealand window suites.

Do you fit restricted opening stays?
Yes, including options for childcare and high rise safety requirements.