Casement Windows vs Awning Windows: Pros and Cons
If you are considering installing new windows in your home, from casement and awning windows to double hung windows, your choices vary greatly. Between price, installation, attractiveness and operation method, there are many factors to consider when choosing windows. Whereas double hung and gliding windows both work by sliding open within the frame, casement and awning windows open outwardly. As an alternative to more common double hung window variety, casement and awning windows add style and sophistication to your home while providing fresh air and a more effective means of egress.
Casement and Awning Windows
Most casement windows open out and, like doors, are hinged on either the left or right side of the frame. They are operated by a cranking lever that opens and closes them like you would a book, or they are pushed open and locked into place when closed. Awning windows open similarly except that they open from the bottom and are hinged on the top edge of the frame. They too either utilize a crank handle or are pushed open.
Pros and Cons of Casement Windows
The biggest advantage casement windows have over awning windows is the amount of open space they yield. When a casement window is opened entirely, almost all of the space within the frame is open. Awning windows push open from the bottom and consequently provide a much smaller net clear area. For this reason, casement windows are ideal for egress windows, especially in basement rooms. The minimum 5.7 square feet required for egress windows in sleeping rooms is covered by casement windows with dimensions of either 20x41 inches or roughly 24x34 inches. This means the window may have a smaller frame size while still meeting code.
On the downside, casement windows are an expensive proposition. Additionally, they are incompatible with outside shutters and screens, although interior screens work with them. For casement windows on upper floors, cleaning the outside can be problematic. By virtue of the way a casement window opens, it becomes difficult to reach its outer side.
Pros and Cons of Awning Windows
Awning windows let you keep air circulating inside the home even if the weather is rainy. Their design enables them to keep dripping water out while open. They are also less expensive than casement windows, due in large part to the fact that they are customarily smaller. For basement rooms that are not used for sleeping, awning windows make the ideal installation. Their small stature fits perfectly with the small portals looking out from a basement. Being that they are often placed above doors, there is little risk of illegal entry to your home through them.
Their disadvantages include their security. While they are often too high to reach, awning windows that are within reach offer relatively little protection from break-in. With a lock they are more secure, but they are not as fail-safe as casement windows. Because they are placed above doors or other high areas in a home, opening and closing them may require a long rod. Their height can make cleaning them very inconvenient as well. Awning windows are also virtually useless for egress.
Comparing casement and awning windows is a bit like comparing apples to oranges, for they usually have very different uses. When used together at various points in a home, their respective advantages come to the forefront.