If you’re in the market for replacement windows, casements are worth considering. Casement windows feature a unique operating style that makes them a distinct and functional addition to any home. Here’s what you need to know about casement window design to help you decide if these popular windows are right for you.

Casement Window Definition

A casement window has hinges on the left or right side, allowing the window to swing open like a door. Most often, they feature a crank to facilitate smooth, steady operation. Casement windows are usually vertically oriented and come in standard sizes ranging from 14 to 36 inches wide and 30 to 78 inches high.

Casement Window Benefits

Casement windows have several advantages that make them a popular choice among homeowners:

  • Energy efficiency: Casement windows create an airtight seal when closed, reducing drafts, boosting comfort, and lowering heating and cooling costs.
  • Great ventilation: The swinging motion of a casement window catches side breezes better than a sliding or double-hung window, making it excellent for ventilating rooms quickly and efficiently.
  • Ease of operation: Equipped with a crank system, casement windows can be opened and closed with minimal effort—no need to strain yourself trying to open a stubborn window. This makes them particularly useful in hard-to-reach locations, such as over the kitchen sink or behind the living room sofa.
  • Increased security: Casement windows can only be operated using the interior-mounted crank, making them extremely difficult to breach from the outside.

Casement Window Drawbacks

Casement windows might not be right for your home if any of these considerations prove problematic:

  • Unobstructed exterior space required: Because casement windows swing outward, they could get in the way if a deck or sidewalk is located immediately outside. Reserve this window style for areas with no external obstacles.
  • Slow operation: While easy to use, the mechanical crank system operates more slowly than sliding or double-hung windows. This could be a slight inconvenience if you’re trying to open the window quickly.
  • More difficult exterior maintenance: Cleaning the outside of upper-floor casement windows is more challenging than other types of windows since they do not tilt inward.
  • Interior window screens: The screens are installed on the inside to facilitate an outward swing, leaving them exposed to your pet’s teeth and claws. Casement windows may not be right for you if you have rambunctious cats or dogs.
  • Inability to accommodate window air conditioners: If you anticipate installing window AC units, you may want to choose a style other than casement windows.

Experience the Rosati Difference

If you’ve decided that casement window features meet your needs, choose Rosati Windows to supply and install them in your Central Ohio home. We are proud to be a top manufacturer of replacement windows and doors, with experience dating back to 2000. We offer stylish, functional, and energy-efficient casement windows that can be customized to meet your needs. Contact us today at (614) 777-4806 to learn more or request a free window installation estimate in Columbus, OH.