Sash windows are the common type used for American homes, though you’ll find a good mix of casements (typically the ones you have to crank to open/close).
The only deal breaker for me would be casement windows that open outwards. The area I live gets a lot of bugs in the summer, and so our windows have screens to help keep pests out while windows are open. Sash windows and casements that open inwards work fine with screens, but casements that open outwards typically don’t.
We took my in-laws back to my father-in-law’s hometown in France this summer and it was kind of mind-boggling to me how most of the homes had no air conditioning but also no screens on the windows to keep bugs out.
This shit drives me nuts. The locals will be like “oh well, the bugs usually aren’t this bad…”
Sure Jorge, the bugs always just follow me from the US whenever I visit. The entire European continent has such a weirdly abusive relationship with the very concept of climate control.
I do wish screens were standard here, or at least more common… But AC is typically an excess/luxury in most of Europe. Only common in offices, schools, hospitals and the like.
People have started to get those portable standing ACs more often now that our climate is getting clapped, but window units are alien to us.
I’m not sure how windows are installed elsewhere. But here usually you have a good wall thickness. It’s not uncommon to have aluminum/ steel shutters that swing outwards. For privacy. some form of screen for bugs. And then on the inside casement windows that swing on the inside. Either the normal kind or the tilt and turn style shown in the post (I think that’s how it’s said in English).
In this case it’s shutters with adjustable slats to let more or less light in. A steel “grating” (not sure how it’s called in English) for safety and a twin casement window.
Shutters are less commonly used here, usually found more on older homes. Their intended purpose is protection during storms, but sometimes people install “fake” ones just as decoration.
For light management/privacy, most houses I’ve seen have adjustable blinds inside that you raise or lower to let more or less light in.
A steel “grating” (not sure how it’s called in English) for safety and a twin casement window.
Grating or grates is right, and sometimes people just call them window bars.
Yeah if you have those crank style ones it’s possible at least. I’ve only seen one which was a push to open window with screen on the inside that opened on a hinge, but it seemed like it had a pretty poor seal with the wall as a result and bugs would have an easier time crawling through.
Honestly having the screen on the inside is probably more convenient too. If you’re cleaning both sides of a window where you’d have to remove the screen either way, I imagine it’s easier to remove the screen from inside than outside just given the elevation differences.
Every home I’ve lived in with casement windows has opened outwards, and has had screens. They work just fine. I don’t know where you get the idea that screens are more challenging if the window opens outwards.
In fact, it’s probably easier to deal with the screens. If the window opens inwards, the screen is on the opposite side of the glass, so to access the screen you have to fully crank the window open. If the window opens outwards, the screen is on the inside, and it can be removed or adjusted whether the window is fully open or fully closed. The only problem I’ve ever had is that if the crank is in an “up” position it can get in the way if you’re trying to take the screen off, but you just give it half a crank and you’re set.
Sash windows are the common type used for American homes, though you’ll find a good mix of casements (typically the ones you have to crank to open/close).
The only deal breaker for me would be casement windows that open outwards. The area I live gets a lot of bugs in the summer, and so our windows have screens to help keep pests out while windows are open. Sash windows and casements that open inwards work fine with screens, but casements that open outwards typically don’t.
We took my in-laws back to my father-in-law’s hometown in France this summer and it was kind of mind-boggling to me how most of the homes had no air conditioning but also no screens on the windows to keep bugs out.
This shit drives me nuts. The locals will be like “oh well, the bugs usually aren’t this bad…”
Sure Jorge, the bugs always just follow me from the US whenever I visit. The entire European continent has such a weirdly abusive relationship with the very concept of climate control.
I do wish screens were standard here, or at least more common… But AC is typically an excess/luxury in most of Europe. Only common in offices, schools, hospitals and the like.
People have started to get those portable standing ACs more often now that our climate is getting clapped, but window units are alien to us.
Heat pumps are probably more common now
I’m not sure how windows are installed elsewhere. But here usually you have a good wall thickness. It’s not uncommon to have aluminum/ steel shutters that swing outwards. For privacy. some form of screen for bugs. And then on the inside casement windows that swing on the inside. Either the normal kind or the tilt and turn style shown in the post (I think that’s how it’s said in English).
In this case it’s shutters with adjustable slats to let more or less light in. A steel “grating” (not sure how it’s called in English) for safety and a twin casement window.
Shutters are less commonly used here, usually found more on older homes. Their intended purpose is protection during storms, but sometimes people install “fake” ones just as decoration.
For light management/privacy, most houses I’ve seen have adjustable blinds inside that you raise or lower to let more or less light in.
Grating or grates is right, and sometimes people just call them window bars.
I have (in New England) a few windows that open outward and screens are just mounted inside rather than outside.
Yeah if you have those crank style ones it’s possible at least. I’ve only seen one which was a push to open window with screen on the inside that opened on a hinge, but it seemed like it had a pretty poor seal with the wall as a result and bugs would have an easier time crawling through.
Honestly having the screen on the inside is probably more convenient too. If you’re cleaning both sides of a window where you’d have to remove the screen either way, I imagine it’s easier to remove the screen from inside than outside just given the elevation differences.
Every home I’ve lived in with casement windows has opened outwards, and has had screens. They work just fine. I don’t know where you get the idea that screens are more challenging if the window opens outwards.
In fact, it’s probably easier to deal with the screens. If the window opens inwards, the screen is on the opposite side of the glass, so to access the screen you have to fully crank the window open. If the window opens outwards, the screen is on the inside, and it can be removed or adjusted whether the window is fully open or fully closed. The only problem I’ve ever had is that if the crank is in an “up” position it can get in the way if you’re trying to take the screen off, but you just give it half a crank and you’re set.