Casement windows are a great choice for window replacement: it provides good ventilation and great views, and is the most energy-efficient window style. As a hinged window, many people tend to overlook the fact that the casement windows can be made to open from one side or the other. But which direction should you choose?
Left vs. Right Orientation
Let us first delve into a few terms and ideas that are specific to windows that we will be using. First, the standard reference to how a window opens is made from the house’s exterior – therefore, a casement window that opens “left to right” when viewed from indoors would have its hand crank or operator at the right hand side and the hinges at the left. In most cases, the hand crank is turned clockwise to open the window, but there are options that do the reverse.
Casement Window Direction Considerations
The following are some of the factors to consider when choosing how your casement window should open.
- Your dominant hand – If you’re a right-handed person, a hinged door can be awkward to open and close when the handle is on the left side. Opening and closing a casement window takes more than just a turn of the knob, so the hand crank should be where you’ll be more comfortable using it. Hand cranks are positioned at the side where the sash opens, so its placement affects your choice of window direction.
- Ventilation – Some sides of your home have a cross breeze – a light wind that runs along the exterior walls – during certain times of the day. A casement window opened in the right direction can catch this breeze and allow cooling ventilation into the room.
- Aesthetics – There is a general rule that casement windows look best when the hinges are oriented towards the center of the house as they create a symmetrical look. However, there are exceptions to this. If you are getting French-style casement windows (pictured), then the sashes should meet in the middle when closed. This also applies to casement windows flanking a picture window or when they’re the side windows to a bay window.
Renewal by Andersen® of Northwest Ohio is the leading provider of window replacement services to communities in Bowling Green, Perrysburg and Sylvania, OH. Give us a call at (419) 931-6970, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
