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Casement Windows, 50/50 split only or is 60/40 okay?

2 years ago

I'd like to replace the two bedroom windows that face the front of the house. Currently they are slider/gliders and I'd like to do casement windows instead. One has a five foot wide opening and the other a four foot wide opening. I was thinking of mulling a fixed sash and an operable sash for each opening. The narrower of the two would not allow for proper egress at less than 24 inches, after taking the frame into account for the operable window. This is the 50/50 split, 24 inches for each sash. I was thinking of making the operable sash 28 inches wide and the fixed sash at 20 inches. That's a 60/40 split. I can do the same with the larger window, 36 inches and 24 inches.

Would that be an odd look? Or, since both windows are the same percentages, could I get away with it? Or do I not worry about the egress issue since that room is currently setup as an office?


True French casements allow for the center divider to be moved with one of the sashes so that would be an option but I don't like the operation of the screen on that window. Suggestions?


Thank you.

Comments (12)

  • 2 years ago

    Here's a pick of the two windows. The one on the left is four foot wide. The grids would have to go if the sashes were not the same size. It would be nice to not have the sunscreens showing either.



  • 2 years ago

    Context is key, post up a couple pics of existing and a window layout.

  • 2 years ago

    Here is the proposed layout. Both are to scale. It was nice to put pencil to paper.




    I just can't decide if this would look correct or not.


  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    I think that would look fine.

  • 2 years ago

    Your drawing appears to have been drawn as if the two casement sashes can be butted up against one another -- excluding the widths of the frames and added mulling -- thereby underestimating the amount of glass area that would be lost. I'd request an accurate drawing of two mulled casements and compare it with a French casement to get a better idea of the window(s) appearance and actual glass area. I'd never heard of a French casement; my four-window bay window has a lot of glass area sacrificed to the frames and mulling hardware.


  • 2 years ago

    Millworkman, your suggestion of adding a photo and drawing was a good one. Always help to get a visual. Thanks for the quick response.


    WDCCruise, Thanks to you as well. Yeh, I get that I'll loose out on some glass area with the added framework. Not too concerned about that. It more of the visual of the sashes being different sizes. Perhaps drawing it in using an actual PIC of that part of the house will be helpful.


    I normally don't have trouble creating a visual in my head. Different this time for some reason.

    I hope you both had a good Thanksgiving weekend.

  • 2 years ago

    You still did not really show the home, so still somewhat of a guess.

  • 2 years ago

    Instead of joining the casement window with a fixed window, consider joining the casement with an awning window as I did. Awning windows are great because their sashes swing out from the bottom and they can be opened in sloppy weather. Imagine expecting rain at 2:00am; you'd close a casement but could leave the awning open for overnight ventilation. Casements and awnings look the same from the outside when closed. From the insider, the only difference is the location of the handles. Definitely worth the upgrade charge!

  • 2 years ago

    I think the 60/40 is fine in theory but I would flip one so that the narrow parts are both toward the center of the house. Assuming your front door is between the two windows, underneath, I think this would draw the eye toward it. At least sketch it out and see what you think.

  • 2 years ago

    Thanks to all who responded. I'll draw it up in a little more detail to see if that helps me decide on the configuration that looks correct.

  • 2 years ago

    The Marvin Ultimate French casements can also be fitted with cranks. I don't know how the screens are fitted but it appears that the screen may cover the entire window (i.e., a single screen in front of both sashes).

    Ultimate French Casement Windows