We have some, called "french casements" maybe? They open with a crank, but they open INTO the room, and the screen is on the outside. I'm trying to google it, but can't find...maybe someone else can???

ok , I found them on the Pella site (ours aren't pella, though...) and they are called "In swing casement windows."

Here is a link that might be useful: in swing casement windows

a couple things you might consider are what will be the height of the open casement windows on your porch, and which direction will be the best for the windows to open (unless maybe the porch is closed in)?

Your porch is 8' wide, which gives a walkway around the windows, but will you want to put chairs under the windows or end up with chairs in your walkway which means people will want to walk right by the windows.

we had a covered porch (oops, "portal" here in the southwest :) ) with two crank-out windows. I made one to be a casement, opening away from our prevalent (and dusty) wind direction, and the other was an awning (opened from the bottom) since the wind blew directly at that window. The casement was easier to open a few inches for ventilation but still walk by ok. The awning window stuck out more but luckily it was between a post and a door, so not alot of direct walking by. The portal was 12' deep by ~20' wide, and we had plenty of space for walking around the windows, a grill, and a table with chairs.

also, you mentioned not liking the "bar" of double-hungs blocking your view, so think about if you get more, narrower windows, your view will be vertical slices instead of the horizontal double-hung slices.

one last thing, you can get an extension that lets you open crank windows from farther away, which might be helpful for you. I don't know if it would help latch the lock, though.

hth

I'm 5'3" and we had a slider in front of our sink window. We moved it down a few inches when we remodeled, which was nice for my being short. When you mentioned a casement window, initially it sounded nice. But when you factor in having to reach up to lock it, there doesn't seem to be any advantages. Having to allow for the swing in/out of the window seems like not the best situation for you.

I'm in about the same boat as you. New kitchen window will be at the deck. Opening out won't work for us. Plus, I think the screen would get dirty being on the inside close to the sink. Opening in seems strange. Wont it get in your way while you're working at the sink? Have you considered the windows that slide slide ways instead of up and down? We had this in the old kitchen and it worked well. I think we'll have to do the same for the new kitchen too. Good luck!

sandy808-

We have double hung windows in our kitchen, they are over a counter, not the sink, but they are not difficult to open at all. We also have a porch outside, so didn't want casements, and I'm not a fan of slider windows, so double hung it became. Ours are "cottage" windows, so the bottoms are larger than the tops, and the vision obscuring bar is up higher than eye level. Something to consider.

There are pics of my, and many other, large windows on aloha2009's large windows thread, check it out.

sandyponder

Our situation is a little different, but I'll share what we did & you may be able to glean something from it:

Our remodel in Atlanta has the sink overlook the deck. We placed it in our old Bay Window slot from previous breakfast room. We brought the window down to the sink with 1 line of 2X6 subway tiles between it & the sill (so 2 inches high). We left the center window fixed (thus I [also 5'3"-ish] don't have to worry with opening & closing) & have side panels of Bay as casement windows -- which you can do as panels. Ours open out, but our plan is to use these as "pass through" for grilling (don't have the lovely weather that Florida has 3/4 of the year). We will keep screens off most of the year. We ultimately plan to have an outdoor kitchen at this location so the casements also won't be in the way for people/children to walk into.

Eventually I hope to have some pictures posted, but not tonight. :-(

I hope this helps. Good luck.

All of you gave me much to think about. Which helps. A lot. Thank you!

Our porch is 8 feet wide with an additional 2 ft. overhang outside the porch all the way around the whole house. The whole decking area is the 8 feet wide part. I've had my unease about the casements sticking out, although one would think the extra space on the porch would still be enough room. However, someone would most likely walk into the things at some point, most likely me. And then there is a concern about when the grandkids come down to visit us. If I were a child I would find it great fun to run around the whole thing chasing siblings. The latch could still be a problem reaching too. I don't think I'd want inswinging casements coming in over my counter where I will be working.

I did consider the slider windows, but our window dealer said he and his wife happen to find them awkward to open and close. Not sure why, but will ask him tomorrow when we go to order. They also seem to be more suitable in a modern house design.

I would love the "cottage style" double hungs but we are going with Weathershield windows and I don't think they offer that style. Their window quality is impressive, particularly after seeing a cross section. Cured us from wanting Andersons or Marvins.

I'm wondering if I should stick with double hungs and by dropping them down lower towards the counter it may solve the "vision blocker". Ours will be wood inside anyway so the structure of the window may not be that annoying.

What is the maximum width of any individual double hung that would offer ease of opening and closing (ergonomics)?

I do open my windows up a good share of the year, (usually not in July or August!) so being able to open them is important. We've got a good passive cooling design.

Counter height windows seem popular, but are there water damage issues from having wood windows at counter height by the sink? It seems the water would gravitate there from slopping water around.

Windows are expensive decisions so I want to get it right.

Sandy

We painted with oil based enamel this house, as well house in NJ that had a wider sill. Spatters always wipe up nicely. Especially around water the enamels work so well.(Actually the oil-based enamel at the sink was one of my requirements from the goof-ball painter in NJ who talked me into latex everywhere else. When I insisted on oil at the kitchen sink somehow he couldn't get it to match the other trim -- I had forgotten about that. Knowing what I know now I know he was a goof-ball.)

Sorry about the tirade!

Good luck!

We have a picture window above our sink with two small casements that open in on either side. Our window is bumped out (you mentioned yours will be too because of thick walls) and they open into the depth of the sill, not over the counter.

Not sure if it will give you as much air as you are looking for, but wanted to put it out there for you as an option.

I am 5'4.5'' and I can't open my windows without a stool though. :( Our windows don't have the crank though...just latches. If there were a crank at the bottom, I would be able to reach that.

I have sliding windows over my sink and find them hard to slide open and I'm 5'7". Ours are double-glazed and well insulated so maybe that makes them heavier.

Cali Wendy has my fav windows!

I mentioned my side sliding windows earlier. I'm 5' 7" and I do not find mine difficult to slide open or closed. Do they have any samples of those at your window place or somewhere else near you to try for yourself?

I was going to suggest the Cali-Wendy window combo. Make the pane(s) over the sink fixed and put casement openables on either side with cranks at bottom. If it's a bump-out area, the sides can be at right angles to the fixed window. Won't matter if they're casements that crank in or out--they can be narrow single pane or multi-paned. Because of angle, they will be breaking the rule anyway, so who cares if they're not matching to rest of house.

We have that style and they open above our deck. We have never had an issue with someone hitting their head or even close. I guess it would depend on where they are in terms of the traffic on the deck. I find I don't use them that often anyway, only when I burn something and have to air out the kitchen. I think you should go with those, they look nicer and would be easier for you to use

Hi Sandy. I'm trying to get my windows ordered this week. I'm having lots of trouble figuring out material (wood, vinyl, composite), and style (single-hung, awning, etc.) so I was wondering what you decided to do.

Maybe your decision will inspire me! ;)