Sash Windows vs. Casement Windows: Which is Better and Why?

R enewing your windows or planning a new build? Identifying the best window for your home is a key consideration during a renovation or construction project. What the windows look like, and the design aesthetic is probably top of the list but there are lots of other considerations. Here are a few pointers to think about.

· Which style of window is going to offer you the best thermal regulation? This is not just about keeping your home warm in the winter but cool in the summer months
· Which windows are going to wear well and stay looking good for the longest period of time?
· What type of opening mechanism suits the location of your house better?

For most people, it’s a choice between two of the leading window styles, so, what is the difference between a sash window and a casement window?

Sash Windows

Sash windows are made up of two multi-paned panels which slide over one another using a counterbalance system. The pride of many period homeowners, modern timber and glazing products mean that sash windows can now combine period charm with thermal regulation and 21st-century draught-proofing and acoustics.

A style that never seems to date, sash windows are popular in new builds and are available in timber, uPVC and even metal and come in a variety of pane styles with the option to accommodate different types of glazing.

• Sash windows have a cachet and a style combining beauty and practicality. Double-hung sash windows allow the homeowner to create a large opening within the window frame as both the top and the bottom can be opened simultaneously. Heat can escape from the top opening whilst cooler air is able to enter through the bottom, this makes sash windows particularly good for south-facing rooms that get plenty of sun and hot rooms like kitchens.

Casement Windows

Casement windows work with side-mounted hinges so they open and close rather like a door. The mechanism is like a crank which also acts as a locking device. Hinges can also be top-hung to open smaller windows for ventilation.

Casement windows were always considered more energy efficient when compared to traditional sash windows as the seal around the window was more secure to keep heat in and cold air and dampness out. Sash windows have caught up somewhat.

Casement windows can be made from wood or uPVC and have a more modern appearance than sash windows hence their popularity for new builds and houses constructed in the last thirty or forty years.

Casement windows also offer child-safe locks, limiting how much the window can be opened, making them the perfect choice for first-floor and high-rise properties.

Some considerations to help you choose

• Sash windows are ideal where there is limited opening space outside the window or within the room as they sit flush to the wall, they can be more workable than top, or side-hung casements. The design was originally created for Georgian properties which were built very close together
• Sash windows regulate temperature better than a side-hung casement as they create a flow of air by opening both the top and bottom sections
• Casement windows always used to have the edge over sash windows when it came to insulation as they have traditionally had a better seal than old sash windows. However, sash windows have caught up with the use of modern materials and techniques and are able to compete with sash windows when it comes to energy efficiency
• Families with small children might decide that casement windows with child safety locks are more suitable for their home
• If you have an old house, research the architectural style and what the original windows would have looked like. Timber windows can be made to measure in any shape and style and to fit most apertures, but this doesn’t make the look fit with the house. It’s always better to stick to the original design rather than impose a window which you prefer but which just doesn’t work with the age or style of the house

Sash windows can be tailored for any style of house and casement windows have a universal design which can suit so many properties, which one is right will probably come down to your preference and budget.

We offer quality new wooden sash and casement windows in a wide range of sizes and shapes to suit all types and styles of properties. We also offer repair and restoration services for old windows, using the best of traditional techniques combined with modern materials so all our windows offer the best performance in terms of thermal regulation, draught-proofing and acoustics.

Contact us here to find out more about our range of sash and casement windows.