Are Casement Windows the Best Option for Your Home Update?

Until it’s time to make a choice, you may not realize just how many types of windows there are for homes. Everyone is familiar with the traditional double-hung style, which lifts open from the lower sill or down from the top of the frame. There are sliding windows, picture windows, bay windows, and more. Often overlooked, though, is the casement window. They come in a broad range of styles and sizes and blend well with other window designs, but casement windows are more appropriate for specific settings and applications than others. 

Before we examine the pros and cons of this window style and consider whether they are a good choice for your home, let’s ask the first question: “What is a casement window” 

Unlike most windows that open by sliding up and down or side to side, casement windows open with a side hinge, just like a door, and a window crank mechanism that sweeps the window open outward. When completely open, the window sits perpendicular to the side of the house. When cranked into a closed position, an inside latch is used to seal it tight. 

Got it? Now let’s look at a few reasons why casement windows could be a good choice for your home. 

Benefits of casement windows 

1. Casement windows provide excellent energy efficiency 

As a solid sheet of double or triple-paned insulated glass without a sash or slide, the casement window design eliminates any air leakage that can be a factor at the sash, or overlapping parts, of double-hung or sliding windows. If the window weatherstripping around the frame is high quality, your home will remain well insulated. 

2. Casement windows catch breezes for better ventilation 

Unlike double-hung or sliding windows, casement windows open fully, using the entire window opening so that you can let more fresh air into your home. If you burn dinner, you can crank open the windows to let out the smoky proof before company comes. Think how useful this feature can also be in the bathroom! 

3. Casement windows provide unobstructed views 

With no sliding sash, a casement window offers a clear outside view when closed and when fully opened. Casements work particularly well when combined with picture window, providing a wall of wide-open views with the versatility of open/close ventilation. 

4. Casement windows cannot accommodate air conditioner window units 

There is little a casement window can do to appeal to those who need window units to air-condition your space. Double-hung or single-hung windows are the go-to options for you.