Roofing & Exterior
The Windows That Seal Tightest and Catch the Breeze
Casement and awning windows crank outward and pull shut against their frames — the tightest-sealing operable windows we install, and the smart pick for rain-side ventilation and hard-to-reach spots.
Free inspection & photo report · Fixed, line-item bids· Written workmanship warranty
- ★ 4.9 · 52+ Google reviews
- 1,500+ projects completed
- Licensed & bonded in WA, OR & ID
- Written workmanship warranty
Signs to watch
Is this you?
You want the tightest seal on an operable window
Because casement and awning sashes press shut against the frame as they close, they seal tighter than sliding-style windows — less air leakage on a windy, wet Northwest day.
Ventilation over the kitchen sink or a tight spot
A crank handle reaches where a sash you'd have to push doesn't. Casements are the go-to over sinks, counters, and behind furniture where you can't easily reach to lift a window.
You want fresh air even when it's raining
An awning window hinges at the top and opens outward like a small awning, so it sheds rain while venting. It's the Northwest answer to cracking a window during a shower.
Catching a breeze off the wind
A casement sash swings out and can scoop passing air into the room like a sail — better cross-ventilation than a window that only slides part-way open.
Your options
How they operate, seal, and where each one belongs
Both crank open with a handle instead of sliding. A casement is hinged on the side and swings outward like a door, opening the full sash for maximum airflow and easy cleaning of the outer glass from inside. An awning is hinged at the top and opens outward from the bottom, so rain runs off the top edge — which is why awnings work high on a wall or above a fixed picture window for weather-friendly venting. The shared advantage is the seal: as the sash closes, the operator pulls it tight against weatherstripping around the whole frame, so they leak less air than sliders. The trade-offs are honest ones — the crank operator and hinges are moving hardware that see the weather, so hardware quality matters and it's the part that eventually needs service; the sash swings into the exterior, so it's not ideal over a walkway, deck traffic path, or patio; and on bedrooms the opening has to meet egress size and clearance rules. We size the operable unit to hit egress where it's required and place them where the outswing won't be in the way.
The method
How we do it
- 01
Measure, spec, and check egress
Every opening measured to fit, hardware and hinge side chosen for the room, and bedroom openings sized to meet egress clearance rules where they apply.
- 02
Install square, sealed, and flashed
Old units out, openings checked for rot, new units set square, insulated, flashed, and sealed — with the crank operation tested against a true, square frame.
- 03
Function walkthrough
Every window cranked fully open, closed, and locked with you watching, so you feel the tight pull-in seal before we sign off.
Straight numbers
What casement and awning windows cost
Casement and awning units generally run a step above comparable sliders because of the crank operator and hinge hardware — you're paying for the tighter seal and the reach. It's usually money well spent over a sink, in a hard-to-reach spot, or where a tight seal and clean ventilation matter most, and less necessary on a standard opening where a slider does the job. Frame material, size, hardware, and glass package move the number, and whole-home projects get volume pricing in writing.
Where we do this work
Casement & Awning Windows: straight answers
Do casement windows really seal better than sliders?
Yes, and it's the main reason to choose them. As the sash cranks closed it presses tight against weatherstripping around the entire frame, while a slider seals along tracks that have to stay loose enough to move. On a windy, wet Northwest day that difference in air leakage is real — which is why casements are a favorite for tight, efficient openings.
Can a casement or awning window count as an egress exit?
A casement can, and often does well — because the whole sash swings open, it can meet the required clear opening in a smaller overall window than a hung style. Awnings usually can't serve as egress because the top hinge limits the clear opening. For bedrooms, we size and spec specifically to meet the egress rules that apply.
What's the maintenance on the crank hardware?
The operator and hinges are moving parts exposed to weather, so they're the piece most likely to need service down the road — occasional cleaning and lubrication, and eventually an operator replacement on a well-used window. Quality hardware lasts a long time; it's a fair trade for the seal, and we spec good operators for that reason.
Will the window be in the way when it's open?
It can be, since the sash swings outward — which is why we don't put casements where they'd open over a walkway, a deck traffic path, or right next to a patio table. Awnings project less and sit higher, so they're easier to place. Placement is part of the spec, not an afterthought.
Get the casement & awning windows conversation started.
Free 20-minute inspection. Photo report you keep either way. Zero pressure.