We had a similar decision to make except that the casements were to open into a screened porch and we were concerned that while on the porch, people might run into them. We have double hung windows with grills on the top half all throughtout our home but I didn't want my sink centered on a middle piece of wood between two casements. Was just something I didn't personally like for our kitchen. We then saw a similar window to what is in my most recent post which has sliders where the side casements usually are and a large picture window in the middle. WE LOVE IT because it gives us unobstructed view, still has the venting options, screens are on the outside and we felt that having the option of the grills on the side windows, helped it to look more traditional like the rest of the windows in our home....our window is one of the best choices we made - we just love it! I copied my link to my pictures below....you'll see it in the 4th pic down over the sink. Here is a link that might be useful: imlebby's kitchen

ooo, a retractable screen would be great! Homesealed, I think I understand what you mean. I was probably seeing it in my own kitchen and confusing it with what a slider would look like. Our window at the sink is pretty wide and although I guess they make them, I haven't seen a casement one that wide and kinda shortish. For me, if not double hung or awning, it would have to be a slider I think...thus the column down the middle. Our view with the current double hung is unobstructed cause I'm short enough to be below the mid-line!!! DH too, at 5 - 10 says his view is unobstructed. Sorry for my confusion!!

I can see where if you actually have 2 x 6 walls and order the windows with jambs to fit that, you will have alot more room inside the windows. Mine are for 2 x 4 walls, plus 3/4" over standard to accomodate a 3/4" furout on the outside of the wall. If not for that 3/4" there would be no room for blinds at all. Basically the sashes are so thick, being wood, that they fill up the entire window thickness on a 2 x 4 wall.

Double hung means there are upper and lower sash and both can move. Single hung, ditto, except the upper sash is immobile. Two windows side by side is referred to as paired or coupled. The act of pairing (or tripling, etc.) windows by adding a molding (mullion strip) is called mulling; for instance a pair of mulled double hung windows, or a triple mulled casement arrangement, and so on. Mulled windows fit in a single rough opening in the framing. When another stud or studs separates the windows, they are referred to as grouped. Manufacturers will mull windows up to a certain size at the factory, but really large units are assembled on site. Trivia: there are triple hung windows, consisting of upper, middle and lower sash, each operable independently. Casey