How to install casement windows?

The distinctive hinged design and unique silhouette of casement windows make them a popular element in historic as well as new-build homes. Here's what you need to know about installing, and maintaining casement windows.

Casement window?glazing and glass styles

Energy Saver, the Department of Energy's consumer resource guide, recommends considering how a window's glazing or glass can make your home more energy-efficient. Here are a few energy-saving window glass options to keep in mind while shopping for new or replacement casement windows.

Gas fills improve the thermal performance of windows with insulated glazing; inert gas, which has a higher resistance to heat flow than air, fills the space between the panes with inert gas. Heat-absorbing tints change the color of the glass so the glass absorbs a large portion of incoming solar radiation, which in turn reduces solar heat gain and glare. Windows with insulated window glazing are equipped with two or more panes that are spaced to allow for an insulating air space and then hermetically sealed. This type of glazing lowers a window's U factor (the rate of conducting nonsolar heat flow). Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings control heat transfer through windows with insulated glazing. Windows manufactured with low-E coatings typically cost about 10-15% more than regular windows, but they reduce energy loss by as much as 30-50%.

Remember to check that the casement windows you buy are Energy Star Certified for your region to ensure your home operates as efficiently as possible.

Casement window?installation tips

Cutting openings to fit new casement windows and installing those new windows are perhaps tasks best left to professional window contractors. Contact multiple contractors, shop various home centers, and get at least three bids before choosing a contractor—always check the references they provide to ensure your windows will be installed correctly, on time, and on budget.

Replacing existing casements with like-size windows is a task that a handy do-it-yourselfer can tackle with the help of a friend who is willing to hold up the weight of each window as it's fitted into an existing opening and then secured in place.

Always read and follow the window manufacturer's installation instructions. Keep old windows in place until you have inspected new ones for damage and verified their size. Rent scaffolding to safely install windows on upper levels. Always wear eye and hand protection when handling glass and fiberglass insulation.

What you need:

Hammer

4-foot level

Circular saw

Drill and drill bits

Nails

Utility knife

Caulk and caulking gun

Wood shims

Drip edge

Casing nails

Fiberglass insulation

How to install?casement windows?

Read them over carefully to determine whether your skills are up to the task.

1.Remove the existing window and test-fit the new one.

2.Trace around the molding.

3.Cut the siding along the outline.

4.Cut the drip edge.

5.Caulk around the molding.

6.Set the window into the opening.

7.Level the window.

8.Tack the window in place.

9.Use shims to fill the opening between the jambs and framing.

10.Ensure the window fits correctly.

11.Predrill holes in brick mold, if applicable.

12.Apply molding over the window's nailing fin.

13.Fill with insulation.

14.Trim the shims.

15.Apply caulk to seal the perimeter.

If the process appears problematic, remember that, along with professional window contractors, most home centers will install replacement casement windows.

Maintaining?casement windows

One of casement windows' greatest benefits is that both sides can be cleaned from the inside of your home. Casement windows should be cleaned once or twice a year, and periodic checks should be done to determine that hinges, screws, and hardware are securely in place.

To clean casement windows, simply unlock each casement, open the windows wide, and use a small brush to clean debris and dust from the windows' tracks. Use your vacuum's crevice tool to remove hard-to-reach dirt in the tracks. Wash window tracks, sills, and interior and exterior glass and frames with a mixture of mild soap and water; squeegee off excess soap and water, and dry with a clean cloth as needed. Remove window cranks, and clean the cranks' working parts with a small wire brush; lubricate the gears, window tracks, and hinged hardware with a dry silicone spray. Take time to clean and polish window cranks and other exposed hardware to preserve their finishes and renew their shine.