As a homeowner, you may choose casement windows, bay windows or picture windows, double hung windows or a unique design that doesn’t necessarily conform to prevailing classifications. The primary purpose of a window is to allow as much natural light as possible while ensuring impeccable privacy when you need. A window must contribute to energy efficiency and not compromise the insulation of the house. A window must also be easy to operate, clean and maintain, not to forget it should be secured enough to thwart attempts of breaking and entering.
Casement windows have been popular for a long time now for several reasons. One of the most common reasons cited by homeowners is not the advantage of casement windows but the disadvantage of some of the other options. Many types of windows will require you to carve out a large piece of the wall or to have that space vacant while constructing the property. Some rooms don’t have as much space on the walls, many homeowners don’t want to allot a large space for windows and there are associated challenges, from insulation challenges to security. Let us explore the casement windows pros and cons.
List of Pros of Casement Windows
1. Quick and Simple Installation
Casement windows are quite simple and hence they can be installed with very little effort. It is indeed possible to install casement windows without any professional expertise but it is best left to the experts to ensure impeccable installation. Unless you have dozens of casement windows to install, it shouldn’t take longer than a day. This means you would be done with the whole project in no time and you would have to pay much less to the technicians. Having the experts work for several days will inevitably increase the labor charges.
2. Easy to Operate
Casement windows are easy to operate. They usually come with a handle which you can turn around and open the window. This is in contrast to double hung windows and other types which require a bit of an effort. Casement windows are ideal for bathrooms or toilets, above kitchen countertops and sinks, basements or crawlspaces and garages among others.
3. Impeccable Insulation at Reasonable Cost
Casement windows are easy to insulate. Hence, they are energy efficient. Casement windows have airtight sealing, which doesn’t allow any dissipation of heat, whether it is outward during winters or inward during summers. Casement windows are not that large so the cost of insulation is also more reasonable. Being small in size and easy to seal, casement windows are also more durable compared to others, especially when you consider weather extremes. Storm proofing a casement window is much easier than a large or sprawling picture or bay window.
4. Interior Locks
Casement windows have interior locks and you can opt for the customary ones or some special locks. The choice is entirely yours. There is ample diversity in the designs, materials and functions of casement windows so you can have the kind of security or locking mechanism you want.
5. Easy Cleaning and Maintenance
Casement windows are easy to clean and maintain. You can reach the entire window, you can open it completely, you may disengage the hinge if you want, distend it for further access and you can clean the frames, glass, hinges and tracks among other components for optimum efficiency and upkeep.
6. Escape Route
Casement windows serve as a significant exit or escape route. Many areas have building codes requiring basements and other areas of a building to have casement windows to facilitate quick escape should there be a fire or other dangerous circumstances. Since casement windows open all the way and they can be easily maneuvered, even by kids, they do have a priceless advantage.
List of Cons of Casement Windows
1. No Panoramic View
The size of casement windows may act as a bummer for many. They are not your typical gateways to the outside world. Casement windows don’t offer panoramic views. If you need to have panoramic views then you should opt for multiple casement windows and it doesn’t make much sense when there are better alternatives. Although there isn’t a need for all windows to offer panoramic views in all rooms, the size limitation will be a factor.
2. Not Suited for All Interior Decors
Casement windows will not suit every style of interior décor. The design has to complement the windows and vice versa. If a house already has a prevailing and rather omnipresent interior décor, then that may influence the choice in favor of or against casement windows.
3. Poor Security
Casement windows are not failsafe from the perspective of security. The glass can be easily broken. The whole frame can be compromised, the hinges can be uninstalled and there are stealthy ways to break into which wouldn’t even cause a chaotic noise.