Friction stays: how to choose them and when to replace them
Updated October 2026Friction stays (also called window hinges) are fitted at the top and bottom of a casement window. They carry the weight of the sash and provide friction so it stays where you leave it. Worn or damaged stays are a common reason sashes come loose or even fall, so choosing the right stay and checking it regularly matters.
1. Material
Hong Kong is humid, so friction stays should be stainless steel. LE-RELAX stays are made from 304 stainless steel with H56 brass sliding blocks, and are stamped LE-RELAX for easy identification later.
2. Choose by sash size
Choose the stay by the height, width and weight of the sash. For example, the LE-RELAX heavy-duty square-groove series:
- LE-10: sash up to 1500mm high, 500mm wide, 23.3kg
- LE-12: up to 1500mm high, 600mm wide, 28.3kg
- LE-14: up to 1500mm high, 700mm wide, 32.7kg
- LE-16: up to 1800mm high, 800mm wide, 35.7kg
Housing Authority specification stays are also available. If you are unsure which model you need, WhatsApp the store a photo of the old stay and the sash.
3. Certification
LE-RELAX friction stays are certified under PCCS-FH, the Hong Kong window hinge product certification, and tested to British Standard BS 6375-2:2009 and Singapore Standard SS 212:2007.
4. When to replace
- The window squeaks, sticks or feels unusually loose when opening and closing.
- The sash has dropped and will not close, or needs force to close.
- The stay is rusty, bent or cracked, or its screws are loose.
Under the Buildings Department's Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme, private buildings aged 10 years or more must have their windows inspected regularly. If an inspection finds faulty friction stays, the repair must be inspected and supervised by a qualified person. LE-RELAX stays can be ordered on their own, and window factories and contractors are welcome to order in bulk.