Three Huge Deficits of Casement Windows

Casement windows open like doors. Like doors, either the left or right side is hinged (or, more accurately, pivoted), and the non-hinged side locks securely into place with latches. Unlike a door, the casement window opens not by a knob or handle but by means of some variation of a crank.

I want to like casements more, but it's hard:

1. Casement Windows May Conflict With Each Other

See the picture I have provided? See the problem here? A bathroom casement that won't let the bedroom casement open all the way. Or vice versa, however you wish to look at it. Before you rush to judgment and say, "Never me" or "A good builder would foresee this problem," consider that reversing one or both casements may just conflict with another casement. The only true solution then is to have a double-hung or slider window. In which case, you no longer have your casements.

2. Casement Windows Are More Exposed to the Elements

Because casements open outward, the edges are exposed to sun, rain, snow, and more. The top edge particularly is exposed and gets weatherbeaten fast. Again, it's easy to rush to judgment and promise that you will religiously close your casement windows prior to the rain, think again.

3. Casement Windows' Mechanical Parts Break

Most casement windows have some sort of crank which you turn to open and close the sash. Compared to the easy operation of a double-hung window (slide up, slide down) or a slider window (slide left, slide rigth), a window crank is very complex and prone to breakage. Let's not forget #2, above. The elements can affect the crank unit as well as the sash.

Bonus Deficit of Casements - Screens on the Inside

Because casement windows' sashes open outward, screens must be on the inside. Do you have kids? Do you have dogs or cats who like to stand on hind legs and look out windows? If so, you can already see the problem here.