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Flush casement windows are increasingly popular with homeowners wanting to give their homes a contemporary style. However, while they boast a modern look, this design has been a staple in the UK since the 16th century and can be seen in numerous historic properties across the country.
They have also significantly influenced Scandinavian architectural designs and, today, offer homes the highly desirable Scandi chic, minimalist look.
If you’re considering new flush casement windows, our experts guide you in the right direction, providing insights into the diverse customisable options currently available, the costs, and the best ways to obtain favourable quotes.
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The defining feature of flush casement windows is that the window frame sits flush within the outer frame when closed, with hidden hinges, creating a smooth, flat surface. This contrasts with typical casement windows, where the window protrudes or sits slightly above the frame line. The flush design offers a sleek and elegant appearance, lending itself well to both period and modern homes.
Traditionally, these types of windows were made from timber, contributing to their historical charm and providing a classic, timeless look. However, advances in materials and design have led to the availability of flush casements in various styles, including uPVC and aluminium double glazed windows, combining traditional aesthetics with modern durability and energy efficiency.
The versatility in design and materials makes flush casement windows a popular choice. They allow for a range of customisations in terms of colour, finishing, and glazing options, enabling them to suit any style of home. Moreover, these windows offer practical benefits, such as improved insulation and security, while maintaining an aesthetic that enhances a house’s interior and exterior appearance. Their ability to blend seamlessly into the structure of a building makes them a sought-after choice for those looking to maintain or enhance the character of their property.
Flush casement windows offer a range of advantages that make them a popular choice among homeowners:
When equipped with double glazing, flush casement windows improve a home’s insulation. The gap between the two glass panes in double glazed windows acts as an insulating barrier, reducing heat loss and saving on energy bills
Due to the tight-fitting flush design, draughts are eliminated
The design of flush casement windows allows them to open much wider than standard casements
Typically, flush casements include more advanced, multi-point locking mechanisms. Their design also has fewer leverage points compared to standard casement windows
With their clean lines and flush finish, these windows offer a sleek, elegant look that complements both traditional and contemporary homes. The design is particularly suited to period properties or those seeking a classic style
The solid construction and tight seals of flush casement windows, especially when double glazed, help to reduce outside noise, making them ideal for homes in busy or urban areas
Modern materials, such as uPVC or aluminium, require minimal maintenance. They don’t need painting or treating like traditional timber frames and are easy to clean
Flush windows meet the requirements for most conservation areas in the UK
While flush casement windows offer many benefits, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
The sophisticated design used in flush casement windows can lead to higher costs, typically 10 per cent more than standard casements
The installation of flush casement windows can be more complex due to their design, potentially increasing installation costs
Finding replacement parts or doing repairs to flush casements might be more challenging or expensive
Due to being fully openable, flush casement windows are limited in the glazing weight they can carry
The cost of new windows varies depending on the material, style, and finish you choose. However, they typically cost around 10 per cent more than standard casement windows.
The table below shows the average price you can expect to pay for flush casement windows.
| Flush casement window material | 600mm x 900mm | 900mm x 1,200mm | 1,200mm x 1,200mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £550 | £640 | £700 |
| Aluminium | £1,154 | £1,300 | £1,420 |
| Timber | £1,700 | £1,920 | £2,100 |
Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as uPVC, is a widely used material in constructing window frames, including flush casement designs. It’s favoured for its durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and excellent insulation, helping reduce heating costs and noise pollution in your home.
Additionally, uPVC’s versatility allows for various window designs and colours, making it adaptable to different architectural styles. Despite being a plastic derivative, uPVC is recyclable, which adds an aspect of environmental consideration to its use in window manufacturing.
Generally, uPVC windows are more affordable than those made with alternative materials like wood or aluminium.
Aluminium flush casement windows are known for their strength and resilience. This material can withstand harsh weather conditions, resist corrosion and rust, and maintain its integrity over time. It’s also highly recyclable, which adds to its environmental appeal. Aluminium windows can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality, reducing their carbon footprint.
Aluminium is particularly suitable for large, wide, or tall window designs due to its structural strength.
Wooden flush casement windows have a classic, timeless beauty that adds warmth and character to any building. The natural grain patterns in wood provide a unique, elegant appearance, and being a renewable resource when sourced sustainably, it’s an eco-friendly option. Wooden windows can also be recycled at the end of their lifespan.
Wood is a natural insulator, helping to keep homes warm in winter, leading to improved energy efficiency and reduced heating costs, while its natural density makes it effective at reducing noise pollution, providing a quieter indoor environment.
However, it’s important to note that wooden flush casements require more maintenance than uPVC or aluminium windows. They need regular painting or varnishing to protect against weathering, rot, and pests. Despite this, for many, wood’s aesthetic and natural qualities make it a worthwhile choice.
Composite windows combine the classic look of wood inside with the modern appeal of uPVC or aluminium on the outside. This versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of architectural styles, including flush casement windows.
The combination of materials in composite windows results in a highly durable product that can withstand various weather conditions, resist rot and decay, and maintain its integrity over time.
Composite windows offer excellent insulation. The wooden interior provides natural insulation, while uPVC or aluminium reduces heat loss on the exterior, leading to better energy efficiency in homes.
Composite windows offer the best of both worlds – the natural warmth and beauty of wood on the inside and the strength, durability, and low-maintenance material on the outside. This makes them a preferred choice for those looking for a combination of performance, aesthetics, and environmental considerations.
Bay windows extend outward from the wall of the building, creating a bay or alcove within the room. They typically consist of a central window flanked by two angled side windows. Incorporating a flush design means each bay window section is a flush casement, sitting neatly within its frame.
This design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the building but also allows for more natural light and increased space within the room. The elegance of flush casements, with their clean lines and flat surfaces, adds a contemporary twist to the traditional bay window structure, making them a popular choice in both modern and period-style homes.
Obtaining quotes for flush casement windows is essential for finding the best balance of cost, quality, and service. Different double glazing companies offer varying prices and options, and quotes can help you understand the market rate, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and specific requirements for your home.
Flush casement windows, with their distinct aesthetic where the sash sits flush within the frame, often come with a higher initial cost than standard casement windows. However, this investment can be worthwhile for those valuing both form and function in their home design.
These windows offer a sleek and contemporary look that enhances the visual appeal of a property, making them a popular choice for homeowners seeking to blend modern style with traditional charm. Beyond aesthetics, they provide benefits, such as improved energy efficiency, low maintenance, and the potential to increase property value. When these factors align with your priorities and budget, flush casement windows can be a sound choice, offering long-term value and satisfaction.
Flush casement windows typically incorporate multi-point locking systems, a significant security feature. This mechanism involves several locks at different points of the window frame, providing enhanced security compared to single-point locks. The multi-point system makes it more challenging for potential intruders to force the window open, thus adding an extra layer of safety.
With flush casements, the seamless design where the window sits in line with the frame minimises leverage opportunities, too. In traditional casement designs, how the window protrudes or the presence of more pronounced hardware can provide leverage points that skilled burglars might exploit to force the window open.
Adding secondary glazing can be more sustainable than replacing old windows, which can be wasteful and energy-intensive due to the manufacturing and disposal processes involved. It extends the life of existing windows, reducing waste and the demand for new materials.
While secondary glazing is environmentally beneficial regarding energy efficiency and sustainability, it’s important to consider the entire lifecycle of the materials used. For instance, the environmental impact of manufacturing and eventually disposing of the additional glass and frames should be weighed against the energy savings and reduced emissions. The long-term environmental benefits of improved insulation and reduced energy consumption often outweigh these initial impacts.
