![]() Softwood frames should be painted, while with hardwood, you can simply use a wood stain and admire the wood's natural grain. The real decision point is one of aesthetics. Both provide durable and reliable casement windows that will last for decades. It also has the benefit of a silky smooth finish.Ĭhoosing between softwood or hardwood casement windows has nothing to do with compromising between cost and quality. With today’s preparation methods, however, softwood is just as long-lasting. Softwood casement windows are manufactured from laminated and finger-joined timber to give them extra strength and durability.įrom these descriptions, hardwood represents the best and most durable solution but will be more expensive than softwood. Softwood is highly versatile and comes from fast-growing cone-bearing trees such as pine and larch. Little surprise, then, that it makes up about 80 percent of all the timber used in the world. Softwoodis more cost-effective and easier to work with than hardwood. The only downside to hardwood is that it is a challenging material to work with. It is naturally resistant to warping, swelling or shrinking and does not usually need additional preservative treatment. It is naturally strong, dense and durable, so it is ideal for withstanding extreme weather conditions. Today, the one-word answer to this question is yes. That’s not a huge amount of help to you, so let’s take a step back and be clear about the differences between the two. One of the most common questions is choosing hardwood or softwood windows. You can also opt for extra detailing, such as glazing bars to keep your casement timber windows in keeping with a period property or other properties in the neighbourhood. Whichever you choose, you can configure your wooden casement windows any way you please in terms of which panes are hinged and on what sides. Flush windows can provide a sleeker profile on modern properties, and too, it is purely a matter of preference. Some owners of period properties that had their original flush windows ripped out and replaced by “stormproof” ones in the1950s might today want to go back to flush casements for a more traditional appearance. Both are still available, and their only real difference is an aesthetic one. Window technology has advanced, and timber casement windows can be flush and be just as weather-proof as the lipped variety. Stormproof casement window types were seen as a great leap of progress in the 1950s, and homeowners rushed to replace their leaky old flush casements with these modern designs. These incorporate a lip that sits proud of the frame and provides extra protection against water and draughts in changeable weather conditions. It inspired designers to come up with what has become known as the “stormproof” casement window. These early designs had some flaws that led to the ingress of water. For example, the earliest timber casement window fitments saw them fitted flush to the frame. There are all sorts of design options when it comes to wood casement windows that go beyond whether and in which way they open. For example, a large fixed casement with a side-hinged pane beside it and a narrower top-hinged pane above. Many larger casement windows encompass different panes that open differently. ![]() So what is a casement window, exactly? It is a window that is either fixed in place or opens on a hinge, either from the side or the top. ![]() Wooden casement window designs started appearing in homes in the UK in the late 1700s.īefore that, homes had mainly used iron frames, but even 250 years ago, it was appreciated that using a wood window casement provided a more sustainable and affordable alternative. ![]() Visit our page for more images of our bespoke casement windows. It is also a window option that is energy-efficient, cost-effective and made from sustainable materials. A timeless classic in terms of design, a casement window does more than look good. The Ultimate Guide to Timber Casement Windowsĭespite the wealth of choices in terms of alternative materials and designs available today, timber casement windows remain one of the most popular choices.
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