How the two styles open
A casement pivots on side hinges and projects outside when opened. Its crank can be useful where reaching up to lift a sash is difficult, but try the handle position and locking action before ordering. Check whether blinds, taps or the counter obstruct operation.
A double-hung window has two vertically moving sashes; a single-hung unit has only one moving sash. Double-hung operation allows openings at the top and bottom, but the sashes overlap, so the ventilating opening is smaller than the overall frame. Tilt-in cleaning is a model feature to confirm, not an attribute of every double-hung window.
Match operation to the room and outside space
At a deck, path or narrow side yard, mark the proposed casement swing and check for conflicts with people, railings and landscaping. A double-hung stays within its frame plane. Over a sink, test reach rather than assuming the traditional style is easiest to use.
For a bedroom or another opening with escape requirements, ask the installer to verify the proposed unit’s clear opening and the applicable requirements. Catalogue width and height do not tell you how much unobstructed space remains when the sash is open. Screens, hardware and opening limiters also deserve attention.
Compare the actual products before deciding
Compression seals are common on casements, while sliding sashes use different sealing arrangements. That difference alone does not establish the performance of two products. Request whole-window U-factor and air-leakage information for the configurations quoted, including the glass and grilles.
Compare a sample’s latch effort, cleaning access, screen removal and availability of replacement hardware. For a mixed-style house, align visible glass heights and grille lines on an elevation sketch. Choose by room function first, then make the outside composition consistent.
Technical references
- Pella: Window installation instructions — Operating-style definitions and model-specific window configurations.
- NRCan: Window and door ratings and certification — Whole-unit energy ratings used when comparing products.
- NRCan: Upgrading windows and exterior doors — Window selection, operation and repair considerations.
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