Casement windows are a unique way to shed some light on hard-to-reach areas in the home, such as right above the sink or high up in the bathroom. They’re designed to increase airflow and provide a beautiful, energy-efficient setting for natural light throughout the home. But when it comes to choosing windows that will work flawlessly and give your home what it needs, are casement windows always the best option? In short, it depends. If you’re doing a home improvement job and are looking for some dazzling options when it comes to replacement windows charlotte, here are a few things to know about the benefits and drawbacks of casement windows.
Pro: They’re Great for Awkward Spaces
If a window is placed in a regular place around the home, it’s no big deal to have to manually open and shut it. However, for those areas around the house that are a bit harder to reach, such as high-up spaces or windows installed at an awkward angle, the crank system that casement windows use is a perfect way to avoid putting out your back every time you go to let some air in. Casement windows work using a spring-loaded crank to easily open and close in an outward motion, allowing a lot more control over how much air gets in than normal double-hung windows. They also provide a better view than more windows since the framing takes up less space overall.
Con: They’re Expensive
Because of the many benefits offered by casement windows, the price tag on them tends to be a bit higher than your average replacement windows. Since casement windows work on a more complex system than your basic double-hung windows, your equipment needs to be high-end in order to ensure that you’ll be able to operate your window safely and easily should something fail. Casement windows measuring over 10 square feet can cost anywhere from $650-$950 to install, which is slightly costlier than double-hung or slider windows.
Pro: They Increase Airflow
Because casement windows tend to be installed in irregular places throughout the home, they have the potential to catch a much better breeze than your average double hung window. Since casement windows are built to open outward instead of vertically, they can catch breezes coming in sideways rather than relying on a direct airflow to cool the room. If you’re looking for a way to creatively ventilate a few rooms in your home, casement windows will give you a much breezier atmosphere than more traditional window styles. Casement windows are also known for their high energy efficiency when it comes to sealing out the cold air. Because they open outwardly, they’re able to close flush, offering a sturdier barrier between your home and the outside world. They’re great at keeping outside drafts from filtering in and preventing moisture from collecting inside the frame. This will help you lower your energy bill and keep your home cool on humid summer days as well.
Con: They Can Be Broken Into Easily
Unfortunately, even though casement windows are only supposed to open from the inside out, they’re not foolproof. For windows that are installed on a lower floor of the home, the ability of an older window to model to start rusting and becoming vulnerable from the outside is higher than usual. That’s why it’s so important to keep your casement windows regularly checked and serviced for flaws. While a brand new casement window model is virtually burglar-proof, older windows could present a huge security breach for your home.
Pro: They’re Easy to Clean
Casement windows provide a fuller view to the outdoors. Because of the way they’re set up, held by sashes and a smaller external frame, it’s also far easier to make sure that view stays streak-free and spotless. As opposed to double-hung windows, which are broken up by fixed frames, or picture windows, which can’t be removed from their frames, casement windows are fairly easy to clean and don’t leave behind the kind of residue that collects at the borders of other window frames.
Con: They Weather Quickly
Because casement windows are exposed to the outdoors consistently, opening from outside in, they do tend to catch a bit more rain, snow, and other debris caused by bad weather. Due to this, they tend to show the signs of weathering more quickly than traditional vertical-hanging windows. However, if you make sure to keep an eye on your casement windows and make note of when need to be cleaned and replaced, you should be able to keep well ahead of the problem.
