Window stays and hinges are the mechanical arms that control how your window opens, how far it opens, and whether it stays in position. When they fail, windows drop, slam shut in the wind, won't open at all, or won't close properly — creating both a safety hazard and a ventilation problem. Replacement is one of the most common window and door repairs in Tauranga, and the right fix depends on whether the stay is worn, corroded, or the wrong size for the window.
Friction Stays vs Traditional Hinges
Most aluminium windows in New Zealand use friction stays, not traditional hinges. A friction stay is a scissor-arm mechanism that holds the window open at any position using friction — you push the window to the angle you want and the stay holds it there. They're used on awning windows (top-hinged, opens outward at the bottom) and casement windows (side-hinged, opens outward).
Traditional butt hinges are still found on older timber windows and some aluminium doors. They're simpler but don't hold the window at intermediate positions — the window either stays open (held by a separate stay arm) or falls closed.
Friction stays are sized by their stack height (how far the arm extends) and their length along the window frame. Common sizes for residential windows in New Zealand are 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, and 350mm stays, in both standard and heavy-duty ratings. Using the wrong size means the window either doesn't open far enough or puts excessive stress on the stay.
Signs Your Stays Need Attention
- Window drops when opened — the friction has worn out of the stay and it can no longer hold the sash weight. The window sags down and may bind on the frame.
- Window slams in the wind — worn friction lets the wind catch the sash and slam it shut. This can crack glass, bend frames, and is a finger-trap hazard for children.
- Stiff or jerky operation — corrosion in the pivot points makes the stay grind instead of gliding smoothly. Common in coastal homes around Mt Maunganui and Papamoa.
- Visible corrosion or pitting — salt air attacks the stainless steel rivets and pivot points first. If you see rust-coloured staining around the stay brackets, the internal pins are corroding.
- Window won't close flat — a bent or worn stay arm prevents the sash from pulling back flush against the frame, creating gaps that let draughts and rain in
Repair vs Replace: The Decision
When to Repair
Minor stiffness can sometimes be resolved by cleaning the pivot points and applying a dry lubricant (PTFE spray, not WD-40 which attracts dust). Loose screws — where the stay bracket has worked loose from the frame — can be tightened or re-fixed with slightly larger screws if the original holes have stripped. These are quick fixes that take minutes.
When to Replace
If the friction mechanism is worn (window drops under its own weight), the stay arm is bent, or corrosion has compromised the rivets, replacement is the only lasting fix. Replacement stays cost less than most people expect, and fitting takes 15 to 30 minutes per window.
When replacing stays, it's worth replacing the window handle at the same time if it's showing wear. The handle and stay work as a pair — the handle locks the window closed against the stay's position. A new stay with a worn handle (or vice versa) means you'll be back for the other component later.
316 vs 304 Stainless Steel: What Matters for Tauranga
Window stays come in two stainless steel grades: 304 and 316. The difference matters significantly for coastal Tauranga homes.
- 304 stainless steel — the standard grade, adequate for inland homes. Susceptible to tea staining and pitting in salt-air environments. Typical lifespan of 8 to 12 years at the coast.
- 316 stainless steel (marine grade) — contains molybdenum for superior corrosion resistance. Costs approximately 20 to 30% more than 304 but lasts 15 to 20+ years in coastal conditions.
For homes within 500 metres of the coast — including most of Mt Maunganui, Omanu, Arataki, and Papamoa Beach — I recommend 316 grade stays. The cost premium is small compared to the extended lifespan, and it means one replacement instead of two or three over the life of the window.
Safety Stays for Children
New Zealand Building Code clause F9 requires window openings above ground floor level to be restricted so a child cannot fall through. Safety stays (also called restrictor stays) limit the window opening to 100mm — wide enough for ventilation but too narrow for a child to fit through. They can be overridden with a key or release button for emergency egress and cleaning.
If your home has upstairs bedrooms or windows on raised decks, check whether safety stays are fitted. Many older Tauranga homes — particularly two-storey homes in Bethlehem, Otumoetai, and Bellevue — were built before this requirement and may need retrofitting. It's a quick, inexpensive upgrade that could prevent a serious accident.
For rental properties, functional stays are also a Healthy Homes ventilation requirement — windows must be openable for ventilation in all habitable rooms.
Window stays are small, inexpensive components that make a big difference to how your windows work and how safe they are. If yours are worn or corroded, replacement is one of the fastest and most affordable window repairs available.