Can cast iron cellar windows be repaired?

Yes. A blacksmith or ironwork shop can repair cracked cast iron frames (with the caveats about cast iron welding), replace broken glass, and fabricate replacement pivot or hinge mechanisms. If the frame is structurally sound, repair is always preferable to replacement.

The recessed space below grade, in front of a cellar window, that allows light and air to reach the window. Typically lined with granite or fieldstone in traditional New England construction, with a drain at the bottom to carry away rain and snowmelt. The areaway is part of the system and must drain to function.

How do I keep water out of my cellar areaway?

The areaway drain must be clear and functional. Clean it annually. Ensure the grade above the areaway slopes away from the foundation. A cast iron or steel grate over the areaway top prevents leaf accumulation that blocks the drain.

Cast Iron Cellar Windows — Old Canaan Building Materials

The cast iron cellar window is one of the most overlooked original details on traditional New England houses. Set below grade in a granite-lined areaway, the cast iron frame and pivoting sash provide light and ventilation to the cellar while excluding vermin and providing a measure of security. When these windows are replaced with vinyl or aluminum, the building loses a detail that is both functional and historically specific.

The Character

Cast iron cellar windows are small — typically 12" x 18" to 18" x 24" overall — with a decorative cast iron frame, a pivoting or hinged cast iron sash, and either single-pane glass or an open grille for ventilation only. The frame is set in the foundation wall with the face flush with or slightly proud of the granite or fieldstone. The color is the standard architectural iron finish: black or dark grey.

What It Is

Original cast iron cellar windows were manufactured by foundries throughout New England in the 19th century. Reproduction cast iron cellar windows are available from Robinson Iron and from specialty preservation hardware suppliers. For buildings where original windows are intact, repair — new glass, new paint, new weather-stripping — is the correct approach. For buildings where original windows are missing or beyond repair, reproduction cast iron is the correct replacement.

How It Behaves

Cast iron cellar windows require painting on a cycle — the same as cast iron railings and hardware. Inspect annually, address rust spots immediately, full repaint every 10 to 15 years. The pivot or hinge mechanism should be lubricated annually. In cold climates, these windows should be fitted with an interior storm panel for the winter months.

Why It's Right

The cast iron cellar window is the correct material for below-grade foundation openings on traditional New England buildings. Vinyl replacement windows, sized to fit the original opening, read as wrong immediately — the material is incorrect and the frame profile is incorrect.

How To Get It

Robinson Iron for reproduction cast iron cellar windows. Restoration Hardware occasionally stocks reproduction cast iron window guards. For original intact windows, a local blacksmith or ironwork shop can fabricate replacement sash in matching profiles.

The Old Canaan Standard

Cast iron cellar windows, black paint, in original or reproduction frame matching the period of the building, for below-grade foundation openings on traditional New England buildings. No vinyl or aluminum replacement. Repair original windows where they are intact. Reproduction cast iron where replacement is unavoidable.

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