Would you like your windows to open wider?
Sick of awkwardly stretching out to clean your panes?
You need egress friction stays!
What are egress friction stays used for?
Egress friction stays are an example of window hardware that has been designed to open the windows wider, up to a maximum of 90°.
They feature a sliding section that increases the movement of the stay across the window, holding it in the position it was left in. Egress friction stays ensures that windows remain open to the extent required, without swinging closed again.
This increased opening makes domestic chores much easier, reducing the likelihood of slips and falls. Such tasks include cleaning the windows, frames, and sills, hanging seasonal decorations, or even completing DIY projects.
Similarly, since windows can open to 90° once fitted with egress friction stays, they allow windows to become fire escape windows – giving valuable, life-saving egress points for inhabitants.
What size egress friction stays do I need?
When choosing the correct egress friction stay for your home, you will need two measurements to ensure they fit your window. These include the stack height and hinge length.
Hinge length
Measure across the horizontal length of the hinge channel in the window frame and round up to the nearest whole inch.
Be careful not to measure the diagonal hinge arm – this is the part that connects to the frame under the pane itself. To be sure you are measuring the correct part, open the window as far as it can go and measure only the part that remains stationary and horizontal.
Stack height
When measuring the stack height, you are actually calculating the thickness of the hinge.
To find the width, you should use a ruler or similar tool, to calculate the width of the hinge where it attaches to the window frame – that is, between the raised uPVC sections that the hinge slots into. The measurement should be either 13mm or 17mm.
If you aren’t too sure of your measurement here, you can order a 13mm egress friction stay set and separate hinge packers, which fit in alongside the stays to fill in the missing height.
Need advice about choosing egress friction stays?
If you aren’t sure about which brand or set is best for your windows, you can reach out to our friendly team today. You can call us on 0330 174 0851 or send us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.