Windows ultimately reveal their age, just like other elements of architecture and interior design: older frame materials frequently lose their integrity, certain styles become antiquated, and outmoded hardware ultimately deteriorates.
Crank mechanisms are the hardware component where this progressive deterioration is both more prevalent and problematic. Despite the fact that window cranks have long been a standard feature of casement window design, they are unreliable, out-of-date, and prone to breaking.
Continue reading to find out why crank-operated casement windows have mechanical problems and how Magic’s entirely crankle design transformed the casement window.
What Is a Casement Window?
Understanding the type of window that crank mechanisms most frequently operate is crucial before delving into the mechanism itself.
- The most common type of operable windows is casement window crank.
- Opaque windows can be opened and closed in a variety of ways depending on the window’s style, in contrast to fixed windows.
- They offer ventilation and airflow as well as a backup exit strategy from the house in case of emergency.
- Casement windows typically swing outward like doors.
- They can have up to five or six sashes in some circumstances and are hinged to the window frame on one or more sides.
- However, many businesses also just link casement windows collectively, producing large, obtrusive mullions (the vertical bars that separate the different panes of glass in a window).
- Not to be confused with a single casement window with many sashes are these combination windows.
- A true double casement window has two separate sashes within the frame that may swing out independently of one another, as opposed to a single casement window’s single sash.
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How do Casement Windows with Cranks Operate?
Old-fashioned, classic casement windows frequently have an operable window crank mechanism with a handle at the bottom of the frame that can be used to open and close the window.
The movable arm that this hand crank is connected to the sash (the part of the casement window that actually moves). The arm moves when the crank is twisted, causing the sash to swing outward or inward. A friction hinge, often known as a stay, keeps the sash in place when the window is open.
Why Are Casement Windows Operated by a Crank Mechanically Defective?
The physics supporting crank mechanisms is incorrect, which is their most obvious flaw:
- The top of the sash only ever responds to this movement because cranks can only move the sash from the bottom.
- This kind of irregular motion will eventually cause the sash to warp, sag, and bow inside the frame.
- If ignored, this might cause a lot of additional problems.
- In addition to corrosion and seasonal problems like frozen gears and hinges, crank mechanisms will also strip, break, and become looser over time.
When crank systems support and operate triple-glazed windows, the issues they cause are much more obvious. Three glass panes make up triple-glazed windows, which are frequently used in household settings.
These windows are significantly heavier than double-glazed equivalents because of the additional glass pane. The crank mechanism is put under greater constant stress as weight increases. Because of all of these problems, cranks need to be maintained on a regular basis to prevent serious harm to the window unit.
Our goal in creating the Magic-Series casement window was to completely eliminate window crank mechanisms in order to address the issue they provide. We developed the award-winning Parallex® hardware system, which does away with the crank mechanism to make operating the window easier and enhance its usefulness, performance, and longevity.
As we previously discussed, conventional cranks simply move the bottom of the sash, leaving the top of the sash to passively respond. This discrepancy may cause warping, sagging, and bowing problems over time, as well as distorted movement.
The Operation of Parallex Hardware
- A substantial galvanized steel rod connected to two incredibly robust nylon/brass shoes goes through the interior of the sash when using Parallex hardware.
- Then, these shoes are placed in a set of tracks that extend along the top and bottom portions of the window frame.
- The bottom shoe cannot move without the top shoe also actively moving along with it thanks to Parallex technology’s secure attachment of the sash to these parallel tracks.
- Our casement windows may function without the risk of warping, drooping, or distortion because of this well-distributed torque and movement.
What Are Replacement Windows Made of Vinyl?
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the third-most utilized synthetic polymer in the world, is the material used to make vinyl replacement windows.
In other words, PVC is nothing more or less than plain old plastic. With hollow chambers, these frames combine various plasticizers, colors, and chemicals to produce what they claim to be a lighter, more flexible product.
This essentially means that hollow vinyl window frames are weak, flexible, and short-lived. Because they are disposable, they are quite prone to deterioration and the wildly varying weather in Canada, as well as to expansion and contraction.
Replacement Vinyl Windows
Any hollow vinyl window that other window replacement firms in the GTA try to sell you is an extruded piece of plastic, regardless of the terminology they employ. Additionally, despite the fact that PVC is an economical and energy-efficient material that enables window producers to weld corners to achieve a flawless seal, these qualities cannot compensate for the structural problems.
Although these hollow frames are undoubtedly less expensive than other options, they are a bad investment and may first appeal to homeowners. These frames will eventually grow, contract, and frequently become broken, necessitating yet another window replacement project.
Casement windows, single-hung windows, double-hung windows, etc. are typically replaced by homeowners because the hollow vinyl frames have failed or lost their seal. In light of this, it raises the question of why a bad window design would be replaced with a newer iteration of the same thing.
Considering Alternative Window Frames
We have worked hard for more than 40 years to give our GTA clients replacement windows that are effective, secure, long-lasting, and fashionable. Regardless of the type of window, we have more than 40 design and engineering patents for windows, including our frames.
Initially, Magic produced aluminum windows. As a result, we are aware of and appreciate the structural benefits of these frames. Nevertheless, aluminum’s low energy efficiency can present issues. We created a novel remedy that mixes components for optimum performance to address them. Click here to learn more about the accordion windows
Here are the Windows and Doors of the Hybrid Fusion Frame
We decided to go for greater longevity, greater efficiency, and greater security while creating a replacement for the hollow vinyl PVC replacement window frames marketed in the GTA.
A more rigid unplasticized polyvinyl chloride is wrapped around an 18-gauge galvanized steel and anodized aluminum skeleton in our Hybrid Fusion Frame design (U-PVC). Therefore, even if the exterior layer of these reinforced designs continues to be made of high-quality PVC, our frames are not hollow.
These frame parts come together to produce a sturdy, high-quality item. Unmatched strength and durability are provided by the steel and aluminum core, while the U-PVC outer layer’s welded corners offer a high level of energy efficiency without the risk of expansion, contraction, or damage. Our hybrid fusion frames offer the best of both worlds in this way.