[Greenbuilding] availability of tilt-turn European wood windows inUS (round II)

[Reuben Deumling]

I appreciate your question. My short answer would be: everything. But to be
more specific, inward opening (French) casements where the right and left
half of the window each open independently in my view have the following
advantages:
(1) when you open the window it is open--you can stick your head out and
nothing is in danger of falling on you, and you don't have to bend down or
exert yourself or wonder what part of the window to push against as you
struggle to overcome friction and past painting excesses;
(2) you can install a screen on the outside, or shutters and you can access
both of these easily from inside;
(3) you can paint, clean or remove a sash with the greatest of ease;
(4) although for me the tilt part is not required this does add a very
clever ventilation option;
(5) the sensual pleasure of opening and closing such a window is priceless.
Just as our exterior doors are all inward opening casements, the pleasure of
opening or closing one of these that is installed well and that falls into
its lock is not to me a trivial feature;
(7) the hardware is ergonomic, uncluttered, and functional--even ingenious;
(8) they are beautiful.

Perhaps it boils down to what you grow up with, what you are used to. Having
lived with both of these kinds of windows (every house in Germany has inward
opening casements) and with the assemblage of styles we find in the US,
there is in my mind simply no contest.

I would though be curious to hear you articulate the advantages of your
preferred style of window. I'm sure I'd learn something.

Reuben Deumling


On Nov 19, 2007 5:34 AM, Bob Korves <bkorves at winfirst.com> wrote:

> What are the advantages of inward opening casements or tilt-and-turn
> windows
> other than not opening into an outside walkway close to the wall?  It
> would
> appear to me that opening toward the inside would just be a space stealer,
> especially in a small and efficient house.  I guess the turn and tilt
> might
> help to keep rain out while offering a bit of ventilation, but that's what
> eaves are for.
> -Bob Korves
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Reuben Deumling" <9watts at gmail.com>
> To: <greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
> Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 8:54 PM
> Subject: [Greenbuilding] availability of tilt-turn European wood windows
> inUS (round II)
>