Casement & Awning Window Repair. Cranks Open, Seals Shut.
A crank that spins, a sash that drags or won't close tight, a lock that won't catch — casement problems are part problems. We replace the part and keep the window.
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Common Casement Window Problems — and the Fix
Casement windows swing outward on hinges, driven by a crank operator. They seal very tightly when everything works — and that depends on a handful of mechanical parts.
The crank operator is the part that fails most: its gears strip, so the handle turns but the window doesn't move. The hinges and arms wear and let the sash sag, so it drags on the frame or won't close evenly. Multi-point locks stop pulling the sash tight, and the compression weatherstripping flattens with age.
Awning windows — hinged at the top and cranked outward at the bottom — use the same kinds of parts, so everything here applies to them too.
A stripped crank, a casement window that won't close all the way, a sash sagging on a worn casement hinge — casement operator replacement and hinge repair fix most of them in a single visit, on wood, clad and vinyl casements alike.
Not sure this is your problem? Use our window triage guide — pick the symptom and see the likely cause and cost. Related reading: Andersen window repair · Pella window repair
Crank spins, window won't move
Stripped operator replaced.
Sash drags or won't close evenly
Hinges and arms replaced, sash adjusted.
Lock won't pull it tight
Multi-point lock and keepers repaired.
Drafty when closed
Compression weatherstripping replaced.
Foggy or broken glass
Glass unit replaced in the sash.
Rot on a wood casement
Rotted sash or frame rebuilt.
- Crank handle — what you turn from inside.
- Operator gears — inside this housing. When they strip, the handle spins but the window doesn't move.
- Operator arm — pushes the sash open and pulls it closed.
- Hinge & track — lets the sash swing; worn hinges make the sash sag and drag.
- Lock — pulls the sash tight against the weatherstripping.
- Sash — the glass panel that swings out.
Operators, hinges and locks are replaceable parts.
How We Repair Casement Windows
Identify the hardware
Operator, hinge and lock types matched — a photo often does it.
Source the parts
Original parts or proven equivalents for discontinued models.
Replace & adjust
Parts installed and the sash adjusted so it closes evenly and seals.
Test
Cranked open, closed and locked several times before we leave.
Awning Windows, Worn Hinges and Windows That Won't Close
Awning windows are casements turned on their side: hinged at the top, they crank outward from the bottom. They use the same kinds of operators, hinges and locks, so they fail — and get repaired — the same way.
Worn hinges are the hidden cause of many casement problems. When the hinge tracks and arms at the top and bottom of the sash wear, bend or loosen, the sash sags, drags on the sill, or opens crooked. Replacing or adjusting the hinges lets it swing true again.
A casement or awning that won't close tight usually has one of three causes: worn hinges letting the sash sag, a lock that no longer pulls the sash in, or a warped or loose sash. Fixing it stops the drafts and water that come with a gap.
Casement Window Repair Cost
Typical prices
Per window · typical local prices| Casement crank operator | $150 – $450 |
| Hinges, arms and locks | $75 – $500 |
| Weatherstripping replacement | $100 – $300 |
| Glass unit replacement — standard shapes | $300 – $800 |
A new casement window typically costs $800–$2,500+ installed. A crank operator or hinge set costs a small fraction of that. Replacing the worn parts is the most cost-effective fix by a wide margin.
Casements in McHenry County homes
Wood-clad casements from Andersen, Pella and Marvin were a favorite in the 1990s–2000s homes of Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake and Barrington. Twenty-plus years on, their operators and hinges are wearing out — and cold mornings, when grease stiffens, are when most cranks finally strip.
Casement Care You Can Do Yourself
Safe to do yourself
- Lubricate the crank gears and hinge tracks with dry silicone once a year.
- Never force a stiff crank in cold weather.
- Tighten loose operator and hinge screws.
- Photograph the crank and any label on the frame.
Call a pro
- Disconnecting the operator arm on upper floors — the sash can swing free.
- Replacing hinges — the sash must be supported and removed.
- Adjusting multi-point locks inside the frame.
- Replacing the sealed glass unit.
Warranty on Casement Repairs
Parts we don't make (cranks, balances, locks) carry only their supplier's warranty. Leaks from roofs, flashing or siding aren't window defects. Full warranty terms → · Read our reviews
Got a quote to replace these windows?
Send it to us before you sign. We'll tell you — free — whether a repair would solve it for less.
Casement Window Questions
Casement & Awning Windows in these towns and more
Based in Lake in the Hills, serving homes within about 40 miles.
Fix the Window. Keep the Money.
Call, text, or send a photo. You'll know what's wrong and roughly what it costs — before anyone comes out.
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