The casement is the window most Irish houses already have: hinged at the side, opening outward on a stay. It is simple, it seals well because the wind pushes it closed rather than open, and there is very little hardware to go wrong. When people replace windows like for like, this is almost always what they are replacing them with.
Why is casement the standard window in Ireland?
Because it seals better the harder the wind blows, and because there is less to go wrong.
A casement closes against its frame and the seal compresses. When wind pushes on the outside face it pushes the sash tighter into that seal rather than trying to open it. On an exposed Irish elevation taking weather off the Atlantic, that is worth a lot.
It is also mechanically simple. A hinge, a stay and a handle. Compared with a tilt and turn, which has a multi position mechanism in every window, there is far less to fail after ten winters.
What opening patterns can you have?
Any combination of fixed panes and opening sashes, and the pattern is worth thinking about rather than copying what is there.
A typical window is a fixed pane with one or two opening sashes beside it. Where the existing window has an opener you never use, that is a chance to make it fixed, which gives you more glass and a slimmer look for less money.
The reverse matters too. Bedrooms need enough opening area for ventilation, and any window intended as a means of escape has minimum size requirements. That is worth raising at the measure rather than after.
Top hung or side hung?
Side hung opens like a door and gives the biggest opening. Top hung swings out from the top and can be left open in rain.
Side hung is the default and the better choice for ventilation and cleaning, because the sash swings clear and you can reach the outside face.
Top hung earns its place upstairs and on weather facing elevations, because the sash acts as a small canopy over the opening. Many houses end up with a mix, top hung above and side hung below.
What should you specify beyond the frame?
High performance double glazing as standard, the opening pattern, the handle and hinge type, and trickle ventilation if it is required.
We do not publish performance figures here, because they depend on the exact unit and we will not quote numbers we have not verified against a manufacturer spec sheet. The specification goes in writing with your quote instead.
Hinges are worth a sentence. Easy clean or egress hinges let a side hung sash open wider so the outside face can be reached from inside, which matters upstairs. There is more on frame materials on our <a href="/windows/upvc/">uPVC</a> and <a href="/windows/aluminium/">aluminium</a> pages.
Windows carry a ten year warranty against defects.
How it works
We call out, measure the space and talk through what you want. Our designers draw it in 3D so you see the finished piece in your own room, and you get one complete itemised quote within two working days. Nothing is ordered and nothing is charged until you say yes.
One team for this and the rest of the job
The same team that makes this fits it, and we also do kitchens, fitted wardrobes, internal doors and windows. If more than one thing needs doing, it is one contractor, one schedule and one point of contact rather than four. See the rest of our work.
Frequently asked questions
Can you match my existing opening pattern?
Yes, and we will also tell you where changing it would give you more glass or better ventilation for the same money.
Do casement windows suit older houses?
They are the traditional pattern in most Irish housing, so usually yes. On a protected structure or in a conservation area, check whether timber is conditioned.
How long does the fit take?
Most houses are a small number of days. Each opening is closed the same day it is opened, so the house is never left open overnight.
What areas do you cover?
Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The design visit is free and there is no obligation.