Draughty Windows Even When Locked? Check Your Friction Stays
6 min read
A window that whistles in the wind, lets in cold air along the hinge side, or sags and won't close properly is rarely a glass problem. Nine times out of ten it's the friction stays — the hinges that hold the window in the frame.
What friction stays do
Friction stays are the metal arms at the top and bottom of an opening uPVC window. They let it swing open, hold it in position against the wind, and pull it tight into the frame when it's closed.
They're made of steel strips joined by rivets and a sliding shoe. With years of opening and closing — and a few windy days when the window is caught — those rivets wear and the arms bend.
Signs your hinges are worn
- A visible gap on the hinge side when the window is shut
- Draughts or whistling even when the window is locked
- The window drops or sags when opened and catches the frame when closing
- The window swings freely and won't stay open where you leave it
- Grinding or crunching as you open it
- A window that's hard to lock because the handle side no longer lines up
Why it matters for security and heating
A badly worn stay can let the sash sit loose in the frame, which weakens security and in extreme cases lets the window detach when opened. It also breaks the weather seal, so warm air escapes and cold air gets in.
How friction stays are replaced
Replacement stays are matched by length and type (standard, egress for fire escape, or restricted for child safety). The window is supported, the old stays are unscrewed, and the new pair is fitted and adjusted so the window closes tight and level.
It's normally a quick job done in one visit, and it's a good moment to swap standard stays for restrictor or egress versions if you need them.
Need it fixed?
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Common questions
- Can I just oil a stiff friction stay?
- A little lubricant helps a stiff but undamaged stay. Bent arms or worn rivets need replacing — oil won't fix them.
- What are egress hinges?
- Egress stays let a window open wide enough to act as a fire escape, which is often required for upstairs bedrooms.
- Should I replace both hinges?
- Yes. Top and bottom stays wear together, so replacing them as a pair gives a properly balanced window.