Casement Windows – What Are the Main Differences?
Casement Windows has long been an option for those wanting to upgrade their home or office space. A casement is essentially a window which is connected to its supporting frame by one or both hinges on either side. They are commonly used in pairs or singly, where they are then hinged upon the outside of the frame. Casement windows often are held open with a removable casement hold up. This is an important feature to consider when choosing new casements as they can be difficult to remove should the need arise.
Casement windows can also be manual, meaning that they do not incorporate a crank mechanism but rather rely on manual movement to open and close. Casement windows which use a crank mechanism are typically very cheap and are not suitable for use in high traffic areas, as the crank may become damaged due to wind or rain. A manual Casement Window can be very stylish, and well crafted, however, if you do not want to worry about it getting broken as often, it can be an okay choice for a few openings.
Casement windows which are considered best suited for high traffic areas tend to be sliders, meaning that they slide open on hinges, allowing the user to gain access to the entire window without needing to turn or pull. Sliders are available in many styles and sizes to accommodate any opening you may need. In many cases, sliding casement windows require that the window’s locking mechanism is kept in a state of good repair, due to the mechanism being vulnerable to damage when the shutter is closed. For this reason, a quality sliding replacement window is highly recommended. An easy way of checking if the lock has sufficient wear is to pull it out, and look for any signs of wear and tear. Should the lock still appear to be in great condition, it is likely that the replacement window will also be very durable.
Casement Windows which is considering low maintenance is inward casements, which are installed in pairs – in other words, they open inward. These types of windows do not need a mechanism which allows them to operate smoothly in high wind, as they naturally tend to move out of position if strong winds are present. Although this type of replacement windows are generally not advisable for areas prone to extreme weather conditions, like coastal areas, they can still be a great choice for some areas. If you do not require a smooth operation, but rather one with a little more character, inward casement windows offer you an alternative.
Casement Windows which is hinging inward can either be ‘hard-sided’ or soft-sided – the former type having a swing hinge while the latter are normally fitted with a sash. The sash hinges allow for a smoother opening, as they stop the sash becoming blocked at hinges once the window has been opened. In addition to being able to swing outward, the sash of hard-sided casement windows can also be hinged inwards to prevent the window from swinging out of place when there is considerable cross wind. This works particularly well if you are going to install the casement window on a second story. However, due to the design of the hinge – with hinges located on the inside of the sash – this can limit the amount of space available to install the window.
Casement Windows is an excellent choice for many homes, especially since they work very well both as single and double-glazing options. As their name suggests, a picture window is the most popular variety of Casement Window, being able to open both inward and out with ease. A great feature to many Casement Windows is that they look very similar to a picture window and can often be opened just like it. The picture window tends to work best for smaller spaces, such as below stairs.
