If you have a house chances are you have a casement window… or two… or three. These windows make a great choice for any home because they’re beautiful, they’re functional and they help create great curb appeal.
A casement window is a window that is hinged either on a side or the top and you open it out into the exterior of your home with a crank mechanism. Because it is hand operated, you can choose the amount that you open each window, allowing you to customize the air flow into and out of your home. Too windy? Simply pull the window back in so it doesn’t get damaged. Beautiful breeze? Simply open it up all the way to reap all the rewards of the fresh air.
Casement windows get their name because they are made up of one or more casements or window pieces. They can be stand alone or be used in an arrangement of windows that we call bay or bow configurations so they are versatile and well used in construction projects.
They can be made of metal, vinyl or wood and they give clean, uninterrupted views as there is no wood beam going through them like their double hung counterparts. So the view is great, the air flow is great and the look is great. Is there a downside?
The one big con when it comes to casement windows is that they swing out of your house to open. This means if you have a tree or decking right outside, the tree will get hit and/or the window itself could become a hazard for people walking into it or getting hit with it as it is opened. Therefore, many don’t use this type of window on the first floor of their homes unless there is nothing outside to act as an obstacle.
Cleaning casements is easy, you simply open them up, and you can usually get most of both sides from one side of your house. If not, you can always close them and clean the outside from outside and the inside from indoors. Remember that it’s a great idea to get a professional window cleaner out at least once a year to give all of your windows a thorough cleaning. Not only will your home sparkle, but the cleaner can give you tips about your windows and let you know of any problems that he or she can see from the outside.
