By Todd, owner of Windows Plus
When a homeowner asks me about casement windows, it’s usually because they’ve seen one at a friend’s house, cranked it open and thought, “that’s a nice window.” They’re right. But casements aren’t the right answer for every opening, and there are more types of casement windows than most people realize. Here’s how I explain them when I’m standing in someone’s kitchen with a tape measure.
What is a casement window?
A casement window is hinged on one side and swings outward, usually with a crank handle at the bottom. Think of it like a door for your window. There’s no sash sliding up and down or side to side. When you turn the crank, the whole sash opens, so you get the full opening for air instead of half of it.
If you’ve heard people call them “crank windows,” that’s the same thing. I wrote more about that in what a crank window is and how it works.
Types of casement windows
This is where people get surprised. “Casement” covers a few different setups, and the right one depends on the opening and how you use the room.
Single casement
One sash, hinged on the left or right. This is the most common type of casement. It works well in narrower openings and anywhere you want a clean look with no center divider.
Double casement (French casement)
Two sashes that open away from each other from the center, with no post in the middle when they’re both open. It gives you a wide, unobstructed opening. They work well in wider kitchen and living room openings where a single sash would be too big and heavy.
Casement pairs with a fixed center
A picture window in the middle with an operable casement on each side. You get the big view and still get airflow, which makes it a popular choice for living rooms.
Casements in bay and bow windows
Many bay and bow windows use casements on the flanking sides and a fixed unit in the center. If you’ve got an old bay with painted-shut sashes, this is usually how we’d rebuild it.
Awning windows (the casement’s cousin)
An awning window is hinged at the top and swings out from the bottom. It’s not technically a casement, but it works the same way with a crank. Because it opens like a little roof, you can leave it cracked during light rain. Awnings are common in bathrooms and basements and stacked under larger fixed windows.
Casement window styles
Beyond how they open, you can change the look quite a bit:
- Grids or no grids. Grids (the divided-lite look) can make a newer casement fit an older home. Leaving them out gives you the clearest view.
- Colors. White is still the most common choice, but darker exterior colors look sharp on brick homes.
- Hardware. Fold-down crank handles keep things tidy and stay out of the way of blinds.
- Screens. Because the sash swings out, the screen sits on the inside. That’s one of the few adjustments people have to get used to.
You can see how casements compare with the other styles we install on our window types page.
Casement vs. double-hung vs. sliding windows
Here’s the honest comparison I give homeowners:
- Airflow: Casements win. The whole sash opens, and when it’s angled it can catch a breeze and direct it into the room. A double-hung or slider only opens halfway.
- Sealing: Casements win again. When you lock a casement, the sash presses into the weatherstripping all the way around. Sliding sashes have to leave a little room to move, so they don’t seal quite as tightly.
- Reach: Casements are the easy choice over a kitchen sink or behind furniture, anywhere it’s hard to lean in and push a sash up.
- Cleaning: Most casements open far enough that you can reach the outside glass from indoors. Many double-hungs tilt in, so that one’s close to a tie.
- Cost: Casements usually cost more than a comparable double-hung because of the hinges and crank hardware. Every home is different, so we give an exact written price at the estimate. Our window replacement cost guide covers what drives the price.
- Where they don’t fit: A casement that swings out over a deck, walkway or porch can get in the way. On a first-floor window next to a patio, I’ll usually steer people toward a double-hung or slider.
Are casement windows energy efficient?
They’re one of the tightest-sealing window types you can buy, for the reason above: locking the sash compresses the seal. Pair that with good insulated glass and a properly installed frame and you’ve got a very efficient window. The installation matters as much as the window. A great window with gaps around the frame will still leak.
That’s why we only do full-frame replacement. We take the old window out down to the rough opening, check for rot, insulate and seal the new frame, then trim it out. We don’t slip a new window inside the old frame.
Can I switch from double-hung to casement?
Usually, yes. With full-frame replacement we’re replacing the whole unit in your existing opening, so we can change the style while keeping the same opening size. The main exception is historic districts. Some require new windows to operate the same way as the originals. If you’re in one of Louisville’s preservation districts, read our guide to historic window replacement in Louisville first.
What to watch for with casements
I’d rather you hear the downsides from me than find them later:
- The crank hardware is a moving part. Operate it gently and don’t force it against the wind.
- Very large casement sashes get heavy. For wide openings we’ll usually suggest a double casement or a casement-and-picture combination instead.
- Window air conditioners don’t work in casements. If you rely on one in a bedroom, keep that window a double-hung or slider.
Thinking about casements for your home?
The best way to figure it out is to look at your actual openings. We’ll come out, measure, show you samples and give you a written price, with no pressure. Our own crews do the install, not subcontractors. Check our current offers, see our window replacement page, or schedule a free in-home estimate.
