Should You Choose Left- or Right-Handed Casement Windows?

In double-hung windows, the sashes are pulled up or down to open or shut them. Sliding or gliding windows open by sliding left or right, hence its moniker. Casement windows, on the other hand, pivot on a hinge which can be made to open inwards or outwards depending on your preferences. While these styles of windows are installed to open outwards by default, some cases can be made for making them open inwards.

The operation on how a window opens or closes is called handing. For casement windows, handing is all about making decisions based on functionality and aesthetics. Here are a few of the best tips from our design consultants at Renewal by Andersen® of Louisville/Lexington on how to handle handing with casement windows.

Handing in Casement Windows

During the planning phase of your window installation, your contractor might throw around terms like FCL or FCR. FCL simply means your casement windows will have hinges on the left and a locking mechanism on the right. FCLs are preferred by left-handed people while FCRs, which is the mirror opposite, are best suited for right-handed individuals.

Handing Rules

When it comes to handing, there are no hard and fast rules on how to install casements. However, there are certain guidelines that can help create a more aesthetically pleasing arrangement.

1. Two side by side casement windows are best handled with an FCL on the left and an FCR on the right. This means the windows will open outwards from the middle and can blend seamlessly with traditionally styled homes.
2. For walls with a single casement, architects prefer placing the hinges as close to the nearest corner as possible.
3. Placing FCRs and FCLs on opposite sides of a room also creates better cross-ventilation indoors. This can be a useful placement strategy in some cases.

Get excellent design tips about your replacement window installation with the help of our professionals at Renewal by Andersen® of Louisville/Lexington. Give us a call at (502) 716-7264 (Louisville), (859) 629-4649 (Lexington), or fill out our contact form to schedule a no-obligation in-home consultation and request a free estimate on casement windows today.