Casement windows changes the feeling of a room because of the way that the casement windows can swing outward on a hinge rather than sliding up or down. The size of the casement window is another important factor to consider. The size of the casement window will determine the amount of ventilations that the room can receive, as well as whether the casement window can serve as an emergency exit from the room.
It is important to understand the difference between the rough opening of the casement window and the clear opening of the casement window. The rough opening is the size of the opening in the wall where the installer will install the casement window. The clear opening is the size of the space in which someone can pass through the installed casement window.
How to Choose and Install a Casement Window
It is possible that the casement window may appear to be a large size on the chart provided by the manufacturer, but the size of the casement window will be smaller once the thickness of the frame and hardware to the sash is subtracted from the total dimensions of the casement window. The intended use of the room will dictate the size of the casement window that will be required to accommodate that use. For instance, bedrooms must have an egress window opening large enough for an adult to exit the bedroom in an emergency.
However, bathrooms and utility spaces does not have to have an egress window because adults dont sleep in those locations. The placement of the operator for the casement window must also be considered. For instance, if the window is to be installed above a countertop, an extended reach or motorized operator will be required to ensure that you can reach the operator easy.
The material from which the casement window will be made is another important factor. For instance, vinyl casement windows are relatively inexpensive and require little maintenance, but tend to expand and contract with the temperature changes in the area. Wood casement windows offer good insulation properties and can be painted various colors, but you must periodically refinish them to maintain there weather-tight properties.
Fiberglass and aluminum casement windows is also available, each with their own costs and strengths. The material from which the window frame is made can be determined prior to selecting the size of the casement window. The material will impact the function of the window in the area where it is to be installed.
The procedures that you are to follow during the installation of the casement window are also important to consider. The clearance that is provided around the rough opening will allow for the casement window frame to be shimmed to ensure that the frame is square and plumb. If there is not enough clearance around the rough opening, the casement window may experience binding or allow drafts into the room.
Flashing should be installed at the sill of the casement window, as well as weatherstripping around the perimeter of the sash of the casement window. One of the mistakes that many individuals make when purchasing a casement window is to base the order of the casement window only based off the size of the unit. The size of the unit do not take into account the space that will be taken up by the frame of the window.
The unit may appear to provide enough ventilation for the room, yet not provide enough space for an egress route for an individual to exit the structure of the building. The rough opening and clear dimensions of the casement window should be cross-referenced with the use that is to be made of the room in which the window will be installed. This will prevent the purchase of the casement window from having to be replaced later.
The chart that the manufacturer provides for casement windows will help to indicate the relationship between the dimensions of the manufacturer’s casement windows and the actual size that the casement window will occupy within the wall.
