Casement windows typically pivot from side hinges, allowing the impact window to be built with a solid glass panel that provides a wider, less obstructed view. Many homeowners and businesses pair casement, fixed windows, and awning windows to maintain matching sightlines and create stunning, expansive views. Impact casement windows in Florida also deliver maximum natural light and excellent egress. When closed and locked, they form a tight seal that enhances energy efficiency. However, casement windows should never open into walkways or traffic lanes for safety.
Casement Window Features & Variations
Our impact casement windows come in multiple configurations to suit your home’s design, functionality needs, and desired level of visibility.
- Single, double, or triple sash options
- Operable or fixed casement configurations
- Provides maximum natural light
- Available with egress or washable hinges
- Smooth and easy operation
- Removable full screens
- Colonial grids available upon request
What’s the Difference Between Low-E Coatings, Tints, & Gas?
The type of glass you choose for your impact windows and doors plays a major role in the overall energy efficiency of your home. We proudly offer insulating glass, laminated glass, laminated insulating glass, and heat-strengthened glass, all designed to help reduce indoor energy usage and lower heating and cooling costs compared to standard glass.
- Low-E glass coating is applied to the internal glass surface to help control both heat and light energy.
- Tinted windows and doors help reduce the amount of heat and light transfer, while Low-E glass coatings reflect heat back to its source, allowing short-wave light to pass through for natural illumination.
Key Features of Low-E Glass
- High-performance Low-E helps deflect solar heat gain and keeps unwanted heat outside your home.
- Glass tints reduce the amount of heat transmitted through your windows.
- Argon gas helps reflect outside heat and regulate indoor temperatures.
With all these efficient glass options, you’ll see and feel the difference through more consistent temperatures throughout your home and substantial energy savings.
Design Advantages of Awning Windows
These windows are similar to doors, mounted on side hinges so the sash opens and closes when a crank is turned from inside the room. When fully open, the sash can be secured with a tensioning tool, and when locked, the interior lock holds the window firmly against the frame.
This is a good option if you are looking for a window with ventilation. Andersen casement windows are often installed in areas requiring optimal airflow, such as kitchens or bathrooms. They can also be positioned above obstacles, like a kitchen sink, to make opening and closing easier. French casement windows are popular in living rooms and sunrooms because they provide unobstructed views of the outdoors.
Casement windows can help encourage airflow throughout your home. On a double casement window, the open sash can effectively catch and direct breezes, even when your house is closely surrounded by neighbors. The sash acts like a scoop, guiding fresh air into the home.
However, airflow can be affected if prevailing winds shift in the opposite direction. With some casement windows, such as vinyl models from Home Depot, breezes may pass over the top of the frame rather than into the building. These windows are also designed to keep out water while maintaining proper ventilation.
Disadvantages of Casement Impact Windows
Casement windows can present certain challenges. Mechanical operating systems, such as those found in Pella casement windows, have a longstanding reputation for potential failure. To address this, several wood casement window manufacturers have developed alternative methods for opening and closing their windows.
Another option is to eliminate the traditional opening and closing mechanism entirely. Many companies now offer push-open casement windows. In models like Marvin casement windows, the only mechanical components are the tensioning units that open the window, in addition to the hinges.
Are Casement Windows Secure Against Break-Ins
Casement windows are difficult to break into. While breaking the glass in other types of windows can sometimes allow an intruder to open the window, casement windows remain secure. For example, with our double-hung windows, an intruder would need to manipulate the lock after cracking the glass to gain entry. In contrast, wooden casement windows can typically only be opened by turning the window crank, except for push-open models.
Breaking the glass may expose the interior, but a fractured casement sash generally prevents the window from being opened. Some homeowners further secure lower casement windows by removing the crank, keeping it nearby but out of reach. Despite their security features, casement windows are also very affordable.
FAQ
Yes, casement impact windows installed by STS Impact Windows & Doors are fully hurricane-rated and meet Florida building codes for High-Velocity Hurricane Zones (HVHZ), including Palm Beach County and Broward County. When closed and locked, casement windows create an exceptionally tight seal against all four sides of the frame, providing superior protection against wind-driven rain and flying debris.
Casement windows are among the most energy-efficient window styles available, second only to fixed (picture) windows. Because the sash presses directly against the frame when locked, casement windows create a tighter seal than single-hung or double-hung windows, minimizing air infiltration. Paired with Low-E glass coatings and argon gas fills, casement impact windows can significantly reduce your cooling costs in Florida’s climate.
Absolutely. Homeowners and business owners frequently combine casement, fixed, and awning impact windows to create matching sightlines and maximize views. This combination is popular for Florida rooms, living areas, and kitchens where you want both ventilation and unobstructed views. Our team at STS can help you design a window configuration that balances aesthetics, airflow, and hurricane protection.
STS offers several high-performance glass options for casement impact windows, including Low-E coatings that reflect solar heat while allowing natural light, various tint levels to reduce glare and heat transfer, and argon gas fills between panes for added insulation. These options help maintain consistent indoor temperatures and lower energy bills throughout the year.
Yes, casement impact windows include removable full screens. Because casement windows open outward, the screens are placed on the interior side of the window, where they’re protected from the elements. This design allows for excellent ventilation while keeping insects out. STS installs casement windows with easy-to-operate hardware, making opening, closing, and screen maintenance simple.