Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Casement windows, aka crank-out windows, often fail where the hardware connects to the sash. The wood takes on water, the wood gets soft, and the screws holding the hardware in place come loose. When this happens, the windows don't crank open and shut properly.
There are three levels of repair for this condition (in my opinion):
1. Install larger screws. This is a quick and easy fix, and will probably buy you several years of time.
2. Repair the area with wood dowels. If you've already installed larger screws and they've come loose again or the wood is too soft, this is a good option. That's what I'll demonstrate today.
3. Replace a large section of the wood sash with new wood. If your sash looks like the one pictured below, you have some serious rot that requires major repair. I demonstrated this here: structuretech.com/repairing-a-rotted-window-sash
Casement windows, aka crank-out windows, often fail where the hardware connects to the sash. The wood takes on water, the wood gets soft, and the screws holding the hardware in place come loose. When this happens, the windows don't crank open and shut properly.
There are three levels of repair for this condition (in my opinion):
1. Install larger screws. This is a quick and easy fix, and will probably buy you several years of time.
2. Repair the area with wood dowels. If you've already installed larger screws and they've come loose again or the wood is too soft, this is a good option. That's what I'll demonstrate today.
3. Replace a large section of the wood sash with new wood. If your sash looks like the one pictured below, you have some serious rot that requires major repair. I demonstrated this here: structuretech.com/repairing-a-rotted-window-sash
