Sliding or casement? Choosing the right window for each opening
Sliding systems and hinged casements solve different problems. A short guide to how each opens, where each works best, and how to combine them across a project.
· 1 min read
Every opening in a building asks a different question: how much of the view should it frame, how should it ventilate, and how much space is there for a sash to move? Sliding and casement systems answer those questions in different ways.
How sliding systems work
Sliding sashes glide past one another within the frame, so they need no space to swing into a room or out over a terrace. That makes them a natural choice for wide openings onto balconies, gardens and courtyards, where the aim is to bring the outside in.
How casement systems work
Casements are hinged. A side-hung window opens like a door for a full, clear opening; a top-hung window projects outward from the bottom, keeping ventilation sheltered beneath the open sash; and a casement door brings the same hinged logic to entrances and terraces.
Questions to ask for each opening
- How wide is the opening, and is uninterrupted view the priority?
- Is there space for a sash or door to swing?
- How should the room ventilate, including in the rain?
- Should the elevation read as one consistent language across the building?
Combining both
Most projects use both: sliding systems where the view and the threshold matter most, casements for bedrooms, bathrooms and stairwells. ALUVIA offers sliding and casement systems in each of its Elite, Prime and Signature series, so one design language can carry across every opening.
Share your drawings with our team and we will recommend a series and configuration for each opening.
