Casement windows
Casement Windows in Scarborough
A casement window is hinged on one side and opens outward with a crank. When it closes, the sash pulls tight against the weatherstrip all the way around, which is why casements are the most airtight operating window you can buy. Fortress Windows & Doors installs Canadian-made vinyl casements across Scarborough with our own crews.
Reviewed by Steve McCue and Steve Mercer, owners, Fortress Windows & Doors Inc.
Since 1989
Owner-run, family business
Canadian-made
Built for Ontario winters
Our own install crew
No subcontractors
Lifetime warranty
Covers product and labour
How they work
Why casements seal so well
Sliding and hung windows have to leave a little room for the sash to move, and that is where air sneaks through. A casement does not slide. The crank pulls the sash straight into the frame, and wind pushing on the glass only presses it tighter. On a cold, windy day that difference is easy to feel with your hand.
Because the whole sash swings open, you also get the full opening for air, not half of it. A casement angled into the breeze scoops air into the room, which helps on a stuffy July evening.
Where they fit
Where casements work, and where they do not
They are the default for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. Over a kitchen sink the crank is easier to reach than pushing up a sash. In a bedroom, a large casement can serve as an emergency exit if the opening is big enough.
They are a poor fit where the sash would swing into something: a deck, a walkway, or a porch where people walk past the window. For those spots an awning window or a slider is the better call. Casements are often paired with a large fixed picture window in the middle, with an operating casement on each side.
Good to know
What to know before you order
Glass and frame
Our casements are Canadian-made vinyl, with sealed glass units using a Low-E 272 coating and argon fill. Low-E 272 reflects heat back toward its source, so the room keeps its heat in winter and the sun’s heat stays out in summer. Vinyl does not need paint and does not rot where condensation sits on the sill.
Screens on a casement sit on the inside, since the sash opens outward. That also means the glass is easy to reach from inside for cleaning once the sash is swung open.
Installation
The old window comes out frame and all, and the opening is checked for rot before the new unit goes in. The frame is set square, because a casement that is out of square will not seal evenly no matter how good the weatherstrip is. Then the gap is insulated and sealed, and the crank and hinges are adjusted so the sash closes tight without forcing it. Our own crews do the work, overseen by owner Steve McCue. Every install carries the True Fortress Exclusive Lifetime Warranty, which covers the product and the labour.
Sizes and combinations
Casements are taller than they are wide in most cases, because a very wide sash puts a lot of weight on the hinges. For a wide opening the usual answer is a combination: a fixed picture window in the centre with a casement on one or both sides, or two casements that open away from each other like French doors. Above a casement you can add a fixed transom to carry the glass line up to the ceiling.
Getting a quote
Call (416) 291-5795 and Steve Mercer will measure and price every window. If you are replacing more than casements, the window installation page explains the full process. We also install casements up north through our Barrie office, including Barrie.
Looking after them
A casement needs very little. Once a year, clean the hinge track and put a drop of silicone on the moving parts, and wipe the weatherstrip so it stays soft. If the crank starts to feel stiff, stop forcing it and call us. A worn operator is a small repair, and it is covered by the lifetime warranty.
Our process
How the job runs
From first call to final walk-through.
Book
Call or use the quote form.
Measure
Each opening measured and checked.
Quote
One written price.
Install
Our crew removes the old window, sets the casement square and seals it.
Adjust
Crank and hinges tuned so the sash closes tight.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are casement windows more energy efficient?
Casement windows are generally the most airtight operating style, because the crank pulls the sash directly into the weatherstrip and wind pressure pushes it tighter. Sliding and hung windows need clearance for the sash to move, which allows more air leakage.
Where should I not install a casement window?
Avoid casements where the outward-swinging sash would hit something, such as a deck, walkway or porch. Awning or sliding windows are better in those spots.
Can a casement window be used as an emergency exit?
A casement opens fully, so a large enough casement can meet bedroom egress needs. The opening size has to meet the Ontario Building Code requirement, which we check when measuring.
Do you install casement windows in Scarborough?
Yes. Fortress Windows & Doors installs Canadian-made vinyl casement windows in Scarborough and across the GTA. Call (416) 291-5795 for a free quote.
Get a free quote on casement windows
One written price, measured by an owner. Call (416) 291-5795 or book online.