A casement window, by its very design is a particular type of window that moves on its frame courtesy at least one or more hinges that are attached on the side of the window.
As a general rule, such windows are equipped with a sash that tends to open in a horizontal direction directly opposite the hinge itself. This has the added advantage of increasing overall ventilation as the window once opened, cannot only help direct the breeze in but also increase airflow into your home.
Such windows either may be installed in any home as a standalone unit or as pairs, that when opened can effectively combine ventilation efforts to increase both the airflow as well as sunlight into the home. When casement windows are paired together, their hinges are typically placed outside the home.
However, for a casement window to remain open, it is imperative that some sort of locking mechanism be in place, otherwise the window will simply keep crashing into its frame every time a stiff breeze hits it. For this purpose an assortment of locking mechanisms exists that are collectively referred to as “Casement Stays.”
Different types of Casement Stays
Most casement stays are simply bars of metal that are designed to hold the casement window in a specific position. However, mostly they are used to keep the window open while the more common ‘dead bolt’ is used to keep the window closed.
Most metal windows have built in stays in place when they are delivered to the house where they are to be installed. However, wooden windows have to have a skilled carpenter who would install them after affixing the window to the structure itself. Different stays for casement windows include simple bars, each with holes in them where a hook may easily be fitted.
This way it is possible to keep the window open to the desired level depending on which hole or slot the hook is placed. While ‘telescopic stays’ as the term implies may be extended or contracted up to the desired level of extension. Once in place they retain that level for extended periods. However, care should be taken to lubricate the same so that they do not rust after prolong exposure to the environment and thus effectively jam the window permanently in its position.
All casement windows offer exception ventilation advantages over their awning (hinged from the top) or hoppers (hinged from the bottom) counterparts since they can be angled to catch the wind regardless of its direction.
The wide glass front often acts like a ‘sail in a schooner’ and bounces the breeze directly into the room, effectively making sure that your home is never stuffy, even in hot weather.