Casement windows are a traditional type of window frequently found in older homes. These windows, instead of sliding open and closed, are more like little doors with glass panes: They are hinged and swing open and closed, just like a door. Although most casement windows simply swing inward in order to open them, some are opened outward by turning a crank on the inside, just below the window.

In older homes, casement windows are often the dominant type of window. For instance, many homes in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s favored the crank style of window. In decades before that, casement windows with wooden frames were common; for example, small, decorative casement windows were often placed on either side of a fireplace or mantle.

Unfortunately, as many homeowners find when they go to replace the windows in an older home, casement windows in older homes are usually odd sizes or shapes. Since most windows these days come in a few standard sizes, this usually means that in order to get an exact replacement, you will need to order custom windows.

You do have a few options when replacing the casement windows in an older house. Depending on the size of the original window, you might choose to replace it with a different style of window, such as a double hung, or perhaps even a window that does not open at all. A different style of window does make it easier to install screens or a window unit air conditioner, for example. It is important to bear in mind, however, that changing the size of a window is a more involved undertaking, and will require some structural work and remodeling, rather than simply replacing the window unit.

Despite these considerations, replacing the casement windows in your home can have some real advantages. For starters, windows in older homes are usually only single paned. Additionally, old wooden frames are usually warped and tend to have sizeable gaps in them, and many newer frames are made of aluminum, which conducts heat, essentially taking it out of your home. This combination of factors makes the windows in older homes quite inefficient at maintaining a temperature, and can therefore cost you a lot in heating and cooling bills.

For the most part, modern windows are double paned, which means they have two panes of glass instead of just one, sandwiched together. The cushion of air between the two panes essentially acts as an insulator, and the separation of the two panes prevents heat from transferring through the window quite so quickly. The end result is that your home retains heat longer in the winter, and the air conditioning is more effective in the summer, potentially saving you a lot of money in the long run by running your heater and your air conditioner less often.

As a quick review, here are the questions you should ask any time you are replacing casement windows in a older home:

Will the new windows fit exactly? Be sure that the window company you are dealing with offers custom sizes, since older homes typically did not use standard sizes of windows.

What other options do I have? If you do not care for casement windows, you may want to ask if there are other options available to you, with the size and shape of your existing windows.

Are the new windows double paned? Double paned windows are more effective insulators than single paned windows, meaning that your house will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. In fact, taking advantage of better insulation is one of the top reasons why homeowners of older homes replace their casement windows!

Finding perfect replacements for your casement windows in an older home isn’t always easy, but it is definitely worth the trouble. Just make sure you know what to look for in replacement windows!