Summer is an ideal time for home renovation projects, and maybe a window upgrade is on your to-do list. Two common types have similar hinge-style openings and offer many of the same benefits. Keep reading to find out more about casement and awning windows and how these modern modifications can open the possibilities of function and style.

Casement Windows

Homeowners often install casement windows in main living spaces, such as the family room, kitchen, and dining room. They are ideal for areas in which the window opening is taller than it is wide. Casement windows have hinges on either the left or right side and open with the use of a crank.

Advantages to installing casement windows include:

• Ventilation. Sliding windows open halfway vertically or horizontally, but casement windows open completely to allow for greater ventilation throughout your home.
• Efficiency. These windows have an air-tight seal. When closed they prevent air from seeping into or flowing out of your home, keeping your conditioned air where it should be.
• Effortless operation. No need to push, slide, or reach to open casement windows. Easy-to-use hand cranks are conveniently found at the window base.
• Security. The locking mechanism on these types of windows is encased within the frame for increased security.

Awning Windows

Like casement windows, awning windows have a hinge opening. The windows hinge along the top and open outward from the bottom, like an awning. These types of windows are used for spaces in which the width of the opening is greater than its height. Homeowners choose awning windows for bedrooms, in bathrooms, and above kitchen sinks for many reasons.

Awning windows allow for greater airflow. Because of their design, they can remain open even on a rainy day. The sash prevents rain from coming into your home while the fresh air streams throughout.

Since awning windows are usually smaller in size, they can be placed higher up on walls. This creates added security and privacy while still allowing plenty of natural light and ventilation. Additionally, you have more wall space available for home décor or for placing taller pieces of furniture.

Views from these windows are less obstructed, if at all. The single-sash design makes dividers unnecessary, so all you see is everything when looking out the window.

Awning windows are extremely efficient. They have a weathertight seal that prevents air seepage in or out. Many of them use energy efficient Low-E glass that helps keep heat out during the summer, so your home stays comfortable.

Whichever hinge-style window option you prefer, the home exteriors experts at Spotless & Seamless can help make sure you’re making the best choice for your needs. Contact us for an estimate and let us explain how to open the possibilities of function and style with casement or awning windows.

Homeowners decide to replace windows for a variety of reasons, including increased home security, weather resistance, energy efficiency, and style. We’ve outlined the five common types of replacement windows you should consider.
Three main factors that distinguish window styles are

1. the window sash, or the frame that holds the glass panes,
2. how the window opens and closes, and
3. how the window projects from or is set into the wall.

Read on to discover the unique benefits each style offers your home.

Double-hung windows

Double-hung windows feature two panels of glass, each encased in a square or rectangular sash. Both sashes slide vertically to open and close and can be tilted inward or outward so you can easily wash the inside and outside of the window. Designed with Ply Gem Low-E glass, our double-hung windows are durable, versatile, and energy efficient.

Bay and bow windows

Available in double-hung or casement styles, bay and bow windows project outside the wall or corner of your home, adding a unique architectural element. A bay window is a deep shell of three glass panes, with one large center unit and two flanking it at a 35- to 45-degree outward angle from the wall. A bow window usually has four or five windows with less framing, creating a shallower, expansive shell that allows more natural light and adds elegance to any room. Bay and bow windows open up space for a cozy, cushioned window seat or a focal, sunlit shelf.

Sliding windows

Sliding windows feature two glass panels with one fixed and one gliding sash resting on an aluminum frame. The gliding sash opens sideways to overlap with the other along a track. Customizable and available in almost any size, sliding windows offer an unobstructed view of the outdoors and feature simple locks for a tight seal and increased home security.

Garden windows

Common over sinks or in kitchen areas, garden windows are constructed of glass panels that project from the exterior wall in a box-like shape, offering you a peripheral view of the outdoors. The side windows can be opened and closed easily to ventilate. The top window allows natural light to stream into your home, creating a natural mini greenhouse for plants or an eye-catching display case. Constructed of vinyl sashes, our garden windows require minimal maintenance and feature a weather-tight seal.

Casement and awning windows

Casement and awning windows are glass panels permanently set in the window frame that can be cranked open for adjustable ventilation. Casement windows are left- or right-hinged windows that crank outward to open, much like a door on a hinge. Awning windows are hinged from the top and crank open from the bottom. Casement and awning windows close tightly and securely, allow maximum air movement when opened, and are often paired with an inside screen.

If you’re looking for Twin Cities window replacement, look to Spotless & Seamless Exteriors. We are a Minnesota seamless steel siding contractor, but we also install windows and doors throughout the state. We offer Ply Gem windows known for their style, durability, and energy efficiency. Contact your Minneapolis/St. Paul window replacement contractor today to learn more.