Deciding Which Way Casement Windows Should Open

Are you planning to add casement windows to your home? We understand why you’d want to – the simple and elegant design of casement windows is timeless, after all. But first, you’ll need to choose which way your new casements should open. This may seem a bit trivial, but you’ll find out why this matters down the road. Here are some things to consider.

Consider Your Dominant Hand

Casement windows open or close in a single direction via a crank, which may be positioned either on the left or right hand side of the unit. While you can use either hand to operate the window, you’ll find it much easier if the crank’s position favors your dominant hand. If you’re right-handed, for instance, make sure to get casement windows that come with a right-side crank so you can open them in the same direction.

Think About Natural Ventilation

Keeping your home naturally cool and comfortable is easy when you choose casement windows. That’s because they’re effective at increasing access to natural ventilation, making them incredibly useful during the summer months. Swing out the sash of your casements, and leave them cranked at a 45-degree angle to better direct cooling breezes into your home. You can also place a left-handed casement and a right-handed one on opposite sides of the room. This position not only helps maximize the amount of cool, fresh air entering your home but allows for smooth and consistent airflow as well.

Don’t Overlook Aesthetics

From a visual standpoint, it’s best to position the hinged side of your casements closer to the center of the room so their sashes open towards the middle. If you’re pairing two casement windows together, have their sashes open in opposite directions (like how double doors open) to make them more pleasing to the eye.

Your Trusted Window Expert in Lancaster County

You need not look very far for the highest quality casement windows because you’ll find them at Renewal by Andersen® of Central Pennsylvania. Reach out to us, and we’ll discuss with you in detail how our casement windows can meet your needs. We proudly serve Lancaster, PA, and the nearby cities. Request a window quote by calling us at (717) 591-4900 or filling out this contact form. We’d love to hear from you!