What is a Casement Window?

A casement window is a type of window that has the sash (or panel) attached to its frame by hinges installed on the side. This window type opens similarly to how hinged doors open. Casement windows were first used in the UK during the 18th century and were made with iron frames. Nowadays, casement windows are a popular choice for many homes all over the world – due to the window type’s simplicity, versatility, and numerous advantages. 

Casement windows of today are now available with vinyl window frames, a material well known for durability, moisture resistance, and insulating properties. Top-notch window manufacturers, like Clera Windows + Doors, use 100% pure virgin uPVC (a class of vinyl used in construction) and heavy-duty galvanized steel hardware to create windows that are virtually maintenance-free and protected from fading. 

Clera Windows + Doors also makes use of the best in window glass technology (e.g. multi-pane windows, Low-E Glass tech, wet glazing, etc.) so that homeowners can enjoy a clear, crisp view with plenty of added benefits. 

Windows can be a great investment when sourced from a trusted manufacturer and if the window is chosen in alignment with the needs of the homeowner. So if you’re asking, “what are casement windows?”, or “are casement windows suitable for me?”, you’re in the right place!

Keep reading to learn more about the following

• Casement Window Benefits (in comparison with other window types)
• Casement Window Subtypes
• Casement Windows for Your Home

Let’s get started!

Different homeowners have different expectations when it comes to what windows can do. The most common set of expectations is that the window must be able to do the following: 

• Provide a clear view and allow the sunlight to pass through
• Keep the home ventilated
• Keep precipitation out
• Keep street noise out 
• Keep the home insulated during temperature extremes
• Protect the home from UV light damage

Some of the points in the above list are dependent on the make of the window itself or how the window was manufactured (and not so much on the window type) – such as: keeping street noise out, keeping precipitation out, keeping the home insulated, and protecting the home from UV damage. These are mainly dependent on how well-sealed the windows are and what glass technology is used in making the window. 

As for providing a clear view, allowing sunlight to pass through, and keeping the home ventilated – a casement window will offer the following advantages: 

1. An Unobstructed Clear View and Plenty of Sunlight 

If you seek to maximize the window opening to allow the most sunlight through an unobstructed span of clear glass, then casement windows are a great choice! 

The whole sash of a casement window can be unobstructed if you’ve opted for one without a glazing bar; the only obstruction would just be the window frame itself on the outer edges of the window opening and the mullion/s which sits vertically in between two different sashes (if you have more than one sash).

Other types of windows that offer the same advantage of unobstructed view include awning windows, slider windows, and fixed windows.  

Window types to avoid, however, include any window type that has glazing bars and single/double-hung windows (wherein the borders of the sashes would cut through the view horizontally). 

2. Superior Ventilation 

Another advantage of casement windows is that because it opens fully through the whole window opening, you can get plenty of ventilation from this window type.

The only other window type that offers the same advantage is the awning window – but this is mainly because awning windows operate the same way as casement windows, albeit in a horizontal orientation. 

All other window types, apart from awning windows, do not offer the same level of ventilation as casement windows because of how they operate. For example, in both slider windows and hung windows, you can only ever open half of the entire window opening at a time. 

3. Casement Windows: The Best Egress Window 

Egress windows, which are typically required as a secondary exit for emergency situations, need to have an unobstructed opening where a human adult can pass through quickly and safely. Hence, casement windows, which can open wide, similar to how doors open, are the only window type that is recommended for this purpose.

1. Out-Swinging Casement Windows 

Out-swinging casement windows are the most popular design for a casement window. The sashes swing outwardly from a side hinge. Windows that open outwardly take up less interior space than those that open into the home. 

2. In-Swinging Casement Windows 

Opposite to out-swinging windows, in-swinging casement windows allow the sash to open inwardly from a side hinge. The downside here is that the sash will take up interior space when the window is open. However, this is the casement window of choice for instances wherein there is no room for the sash to swing outside (such as if the window is adjacent to a patio or could hit a flower box.)

3. Energy-Efficient Casement Windows 

Casement windows with two or more glass panes in them might qualify as energy-efficient windows. Top-notch manufacturers, like Clera Windows + Doors, fill the spaces between glass panes with argon gas. 

This gas creates an additional barrier that prevents the outside temperature from affecting the temperature inside the house. Since homes with these windows don’t have to use as much energy to maintain a constant interior climate, they can lower bills and help protect the environment.

4. Decorative Casement Windows 

Some casement windows have decorative glass that adds a special touch to a home’s aesthetic. Some decorative casement windows have coloured glass. Others have multiple pains held together by iron or other metals. When done well, this can make a typical window look luxurious.

A lattice pattern, for instance, can make a casement window more ornate without creating a fussy aesthetic. Instead, the pattern has a homey, comfortable feel that could belong in practically any kind of house. 

However, certain glass decorations can obstruct the view, undoing one of the main advantages of casement windows. Keep this in mind when choosing your decorative casement window. 

So now you know what is a casement window, what its advantages are, and what its subtypes are. And if you’re looking for reliable casement windows for your home that offer plenty of added benefits, we can help!

Clera Windows + Doors is a trusted manufacturer and seller of windows that simply have it all:  a sturdy low-maintenance frame, strong galvanized steel hardware, and, of course, double-paned glass that is crisp, clear, energy-saving, and noise-reducing. 

If you’re looking to save on energy bills, increase the value of your home, and also give your home a worthwhile makeover, our windows are sure to help you achieve these – and more. 

As an added bonus, because we manufacture and sell our own windows, we can also offer them for the best possible price. 

If you have any questions about our products or our installation process, please feel free to reach out to us. You can also get started by clicking here for a FREE estimate!