What is a Casement Window?

Whether you’re designing a new space or need a replacement window for an old drafty one, the first thing you need to decide when window shopping is what window type you want. There are a few window styles to choose from, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Casement windows are one of the best window styles to add to your home—whether it’s a new construction or remodel. Here are eight reasons why:

8 Benefits of Casement Windows

Modern Design
Easy to Open
Catches Cross Breeze
Allows Lots of Natural Light
Energy Efficient
Super Secure
Optimizes Views & Ventilation
Easy to Clean

Casement windows are a valuable addition to any home. Not only are they functionally impressive, but they also add curb appeal and style to the living space.

A casement window is not like a traditional window that opens outwards via the sash moving up or down. Instead, it opens outward and away from the house—to the left or right. They are a popular window style as they come in a variety of sizes and are great for hard-to-reach places. Most casement windows are taller than they are wide, but they can easily be customized to fit any window opening.

Casement windows are structurally sound, as a tensioning device firmly holds the sash (the moveable part of a window) in place when opened. In the past, the main disadvantage of casement windows was that their operating parts would break easily or the tensioning device would wear out. High-quality window manufacturers have successfully combated this issue by designing new and improved opening and closing mechanisms.

The most similar window style to casement windows is an awning window. Both are considered a crank window, the main difference lies in the placement of the hinges. Awning windows have hinges at the top of the window, whereas a casement window has hinges on the side. Thus, an awning window opens outward horizontally, and a casement window opens outwardly vertically to the left or right.

How Do Casement Windows Open?

Casement windows are hinged on one side and feature a crank or handle that you turn to open the window. Because of the crank, these style windows are also referred to as crank windows.

Some window manufacturers offer casement windows that can be pushed open and pulled close rather than operating a crank. However, the common way of opening a casement window is with the crank mechanism.

The crank handle is customizable, and you can choose a handle that folds away when not in use or one that can be easily taken off and put back on when needed. Some casement windows feature a slide operator to open the window, which works similarly to a dimmer switch that dims the lights in a room.

Casement windows can be installed to open to the left or right, and are perfect for awkward, hard-to-reach places because of how easy they are to open.

8 Benefits of Casement Windows

Now that you know what a casement window is and how it operates, let’s dive into some of the most popular reasons homeowners choose to install them in their home:

1. Modern Design

Surprisingly, casement windows are one of the lesser-known window styles. This makes casement windows stand out in their modern design, and their popularity is on the rise. While modern in design, they are a clean and simple window style, so they fit well with any style of home, whether contemporary or traditional.

Casement windows come in a variety of sizes, and they are a common addition to other style windows. For example, if you have a large picture window, casement windows can adorn the sides to optimize ventilation without disrupting the beautiful, clear view.

Because of their clean lines, casement windows are a stylish addition to any room, and their frames can be customized to fit your design. Casement windows can be made with wood, metal, or vinyl, depending on your needs and style. Metal windows are a great choice if you want a sleek and modern design to complement your contemporary style home.

2. Easy to Open

One of the greatest advantages of casement windows is their accessibility and how easy they are to open. This makes them the preferred window style for hard-to-reach places where ventilation is desired. A small window towards the ceiling of a shower or behind the kitchen sink are common places for casement windows.

Let’s face it, opening a traditional-style window, such as a double hung window, can be difficult depending on its location. This is especially true for those with mobility issues. And, if you’re a short individual, sometimes the leverage it takes to open and close a single or double hung window is difficult. A casement window eliminates these challenges because the crank handle is extremely easy to turn.

3. Catches Cross Breeze

Casement windows are unique in that they optimize ventilation. This is due to a couple factors. First, the tall sash directs the breeze into the house. For example, if there’s a nice, cool wind coming from the west, and your casement window opens to the left and faces south, it would effectively “catch” the breeze and direct it into the home.

Second, the entire window is exposed when you open a casement window. With a single-hung window, only the bottom half of the window is open. This isn’t the case with casement windows, which are fully open to allow fresh air into the home. In this way, casement windows are the best window style for catching cross breezes and optimizing ventilation.

4. Allows Lots of Natural Light

Another distinct advantage of casement windows is that they allow a lot of natural light. While every window style will allow natural light into the home, almost every other window style features a divider in the middle, even a vertical sliding window. While small, this divider (window sash) creates a strip of shade, and may block some direct light.

Because casement windows have the sash on the side (next to the wall), they don’t have any dividers in the middle of the window. Thus, nothing can disrupt the natural light flowing into your space. This makes them a close competitor to picture windows in their ability to allow natural light into the home.
Casement windows are a great choice if you love a lot of natural light in your home, especially if you have several house plants.

5. Energy Efficient

You may be surprised to learn that casement windows are the most energy-efficient ventilating window style. They’re second only to a picture window, which is the top energy-efficient option simply because they don’t open!

Casement windows are adept at saving energy because they close tightly, producing a weathertight seal that locks at multiple points. This closing mechanism lessens air infiltration; thus preventing drafts and keeping the warm or cool air inside the house and the hot/cold air out.

This key advantage makes casement windows a viable option for replacement windows, especially with their modern, energy-saving design. Couple that with low e glass and a high-quality window frame, and you’ll be sure to notice a decrease in your energy bill every month.

6. Super Secure

Casement windows have the advantage of added security because they’re difficult to access from the outside. While we hope this unique benefit never comes into play, you’ll be thankful for it if a nefarious individual ever attempts to break into your home.

With a traditional style window, the thief can break the glass, reach in, unlock the window, and slide it open. If they break the glass of a casement window, it’s much harder to reach in and turn the crank to open the window. And if theft is a major concern, you can choose a crank handle that can be removed when not in use. This way, when you’re not home, you can remove the crank and put it out of reach so a thief can’t open the window.

Casement windows are secure not only against unwanted visitors, but also against the elements. The weathertight seal prevents rain or wind from seeping through the cracks of the window, and its durable design is made to withstand harsh storms. That said, we recommend keeping the sash closed when strong gusts of wind are present, as, over time, it could damage the tensioning device.

7. Optimizes Views

A casement window not only optimizes natural light, but also capitalizes on the views of the landscape. Many prefer to go with picture windows for this purpose, but as previously mentioned, picture windows can’t open, so they don’t allow for natural airflow.

Casement windows are the perfect bridge between traditional style windows and picture windows, as they can open and optimize views. This is because the large glass portion of the casement window doesn’t have any grilles or sash lines, thus, it offers a clear view of the outdoors, while allowing a cool breeze into the room.

Casement windows can’t be as large as picture windows, as picture windows can be large enough to take up a whole wall. That said, casement windows can be placed on either side of a picture window, which would add character and function to the room.

8. Easy to Clean

If you’re looking a window that’s easy to clean and maintain, then casement windows may be just what you’re looking for. Unlike most traditional windows, casement window screens are inside of the window. This keeps the screen out of the elements, which enhances its life span and keeps it noticeably cleaner.

During regular window cleanings, the screen can be taken out to clean the glass pane. And because casement windows can fully open, it’s easy to clean the jambs, head, sill, and sash all in one go. With a double-hung window, you have to leave the window closed to clean the top half and opened to clean the bottom half. With casement windows, you can access all the areas that need cleaning while the window is open.

Design a Custom Casement Window with Rustica

Casement windows are one of the best window styles for the home, and they would benefit any space, no matter the design style. With their modern, yet simple design, they add style to a room and can be customized to fit your vision.

With a casement window in your home, you’ll save on cooling and heating bills, optimize ventilation, and capitalize on your beautiful views. It’s the full package! So, if you’re ready to design your home’s custom windows, get started with Rustica today! We’ll help you craft the perfect casement window for your space, and you’ll have full control over every detail. With us, you can choose frame material, glass material, dimensions, and so much more.

If you’re ready to bring your new window design to fruition, don’t hesitate to contact Rustica today! We’ll be happy to help in your creative process for your next project!