Casement Window Design

If you are renovating your home and considering new replacement windows, you have several great styles to choose from these days, including beautiful casement windows. You know these windows: they're attached to their frames by hinges (usually on the side) and open by way of a crank or a lever (usually at the bottom) that also serves as the window's lock.

Casement windows have been around a long time-as long as poets have been writing about them you could say. But modern casement windows are more than just a thing of beauty. They're a smart choice. In fact, I see a number of terrific benefits to choosing casement windows over other styles:

If You Want an Unobstructed View: Casements make a fabulous choice for rooms that look out over the ocean, lakes, woods, meadows or mountains. Unlike sash windows, all you see is the glass-and your beautiful vista. (Now you know why the poets love them!) You'll want to just sit back and enjoy the view for hours.

If You Like to Fully Open Your Windows: Like the open air? Yes, this window is for you, nature lovers! No other window design opens as wide. As an added bonus, casement windows catch side breezes. Because casement windows sport an open sash that acts as a flap, it can funnel the air into your house. This is a real godsend if your home is close to another house or a building, with very little space between for air to enter directly. And they can be hinged on either the left or the right side to open out, further maximizing on the amount of air you can capture.

Let the Sunshine In but Keep the Thieves Out: Casements let a lot of light in, creating a bright and positive interior atmosphere. At the same time, they keep unwanted intruders out, because casements are very difficult to break into. This is because the locks on casement windows are hook-shaped and these hooks are embedded within the frame- which makes them virtually untouchable. I should add, while on the topic of safety, that casement windows tend to be discouraged in homes with children. But there is no need to worry, because today's casement windows are available with childproof safety handles.

So Very Versatile: These windows hold their own beautifully, but they can be easily installed on either side of a picture window or in bay or bow window to add extra charm and character to your room. And with a full range of colors, veneers, grilles, screens and hardware to suit every taste, modern casement windows let you really enhance your home's unique style.

Here's another thought: if you are remodeling your kitchen, don't dismiss the idea of a casement window over a sink or cabinets, where opening and closing traditional sash windows can be a real chore. Casements, with their crank handle, are just easier to open.

It's Easy Being Green: These windows are weather tight, and that's great news for today's energy-conscious homeowner. When you close a casement window, it pulls snug against your home. And because they're solid pieces of Low-E glass outfitted with argon, they are incredibly energy-efficient. Once you have replacement casement windows installed, just sit back and watch your energy savings add up.

The Sounds of Silence: That airtight "snugness" has another benefit: silence. Casements can really keep the noise out, and this is especially true of Andersen's FIBREX windows, a unique patented composite that has the added feature of durability. FIBREX won't rot, even in those salty ocean breezes! So many reasons to take a second look at replacement casement windows for your next home renovation project! Gerry Rogers is the founder and president of Mr. Rogers Windows. He has been selling and installing home improvement products for over 20 years. After introducing his Worry-Free, Lifetime Performance Guarantee, Gerry has earned the trust of thousands of clients by "doing the right thing" to ensure complete satisfaction when it comes to quality products and installation.