Choosing replacement windows is not only about glass.
How the window opens changes:
- Ventilation
- Airtightness
- Usability
- Screen location
- Furniture placement
- Exterior clearance
Three common choices are:
Casement. Slider. Awning.
Envirotech currently offers all three, along with hung, bay/bow, and other window styles.
Here is how they differ.
Casement Windows
Casements are hinged at the side and open outward.
They can provide a large open area for ventilation and use compression-style seals when closed.
Natural Resources Canada notes that hinged window designs such as casement and awning units are generally more airtight than sliders because of their compression seals.
Good for:
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Areas where strong ventilation is wanted
Consider:
They require exterior clearance to open.
Slider Windows
Slider windows move horizontally along tracks.
They are straightforward to operate and do not project outward.
Good for:
- Areas beside decks or walkways
- Rooms with limited exterior clearance
- Wide openings
Consider:
NRCan notes that sliders generally have greater potential air-leakage paths than hinged compression-seal windows.
That does not make them a bad window.
It means style and performance need to be considered together.
Awning Windows
Awning windows hinge at the top and open outward from the bottom.
Their shape can make them useful for ventilation in smaller openings.
Good for:
- Bathrooms
- Basements
- Above larger fixed windows
- Areas where moderate ventilation is wanted
NRCan identifies awning windows among the operable styles that typically use effective compression seals.
What About Bedrooms?
Function is not the only issue.
Bedroom windows may also need to satisfy emergency-egress requirements depending on the opening and local code.
Never select a bedroom window solely based on appearance.
Which Is Best for Energy Efficiency?
Window style affects airtightness.
But performance also depends on:
- Frame
- Glass package
- Low-E coating
- Gas fill
- Spacer
- Installation
Envirotech’s current window line includes double- and triple-glazed configurations, Low-E glass, argon options, and non-metal spacer technology.
There Is No Best Window Style for Every Opening.
The better question is:
What does this room need the window to do?
Planning replacement windows? Envirotech can help match window style, glass package, and installation method to each room rather than using the same unit everywhere.