Casement Vs. Awning Windows: What’s The Difference?

Replacing the windows on your home is a great investment to make in terms of comfort and energy efficiency. It also gives you an opportunity to personalize your home’s architectural aesthetic. However, some homeowners find the number of window options available to them a bit overwhelming. Below, we take a look at two common window styles—casement windows and awning windows—to help you decide which of these two styles may be right for your home.

WHAT IS A CASEMENT WINDOW?

Unlike traditional hung-sash windows, casement windows feature sashes that are attached to the frame with a hinge along the side. They open and close more like a door, pivoting along the vertical axis. When opened, the sash acts as a flap that can catch and direct breezes from a number of different angles, making casement windows great for ventilation. The cross breezes created from this aeration can make your home feel cooler and reduce your reliance on air conditioning or electric fans.

Casement windows typically open with a crank, which makes them incredibly easy to operate and a great choice for hard to reach areas. When closed, casement windows seal tightly, offering superior energy efficiency than other window styles—second only to the picture window which boasts the highest energy efficiency rating of all window styles because it does not feature any moving parts. When it comes to aesthetics, casement windows are a wonderful option for both older and newer homes, as they feature sleek, low profile frames that complement more contemporary designs, but can also be adorned with decorative grilles that hearken back to the architectural styles of yesteryear.

WHAT IS AN AWNING WINDOW?

Technically speaking, an awning window is a type of casement window, however, while standard casement windows are hinged along the side, awning windows are hinged along the top. Awning windows open outward from the bottom, and when open, create an awning-like effect that gives this window style its name. Like casement windows, awning windows typically open and close by way of a crank mechanism, however, some models simply push out to open. The most distinct benefit of awning windows is that they can be opened during light rainstorms to allow fresh air inside, but because the sashes are pitched at a downward angle, they will prevent water from coming inside.

Awning windows are good for hard-to-reach areas, such as above a kitchen sink or higher up on the wall, because they don’t require leverage to open. While they look great on their own, awning windows are often mulled together with other window styles such as double-hung, picture, or casement, to create compound, multi-functional window units.

CONTACT WEST SHORE HOME TO GET STARTED

If you would like to learn more about the differences between casement windows and awning windows, contact the home improvement experts at West Shore Home. We would be happy to schedule you for a free in-home consultation to help you decide which style of replacement window is right for you.