Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms: these are all rooms where a lot of moisture tends to accumulate. If you want to keep these rooms dry, the ability to open the windows and let in some fresh air is paramount. But some window styles are better-suited to moist rooms than others.
Here are three styles of windows that provide the airflow you need in a bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, or other moist space.
1. Casement Windows
Casement windows are mounted on hinges, sort of like a door. They crank open to one side. When casement windows are closed, they are incredibly airtight and energy-efficient, but once you open them, you get plenty of airflow into the home, thanks to the huge window opening.
This is especially true if the window is placed so that the prevailing winds bump up against the open window pane and are directed into the home.
Because casement windows funnel cross-breezes into a room, they’re a good choice for rooms that need periodic drying out. The movement of air directly through the room helps moisture evaporate even faster than it would in still air. Casement windows can be made quite large, and just one or two can provide ample ventilation for a kitchen or laundry room.
Casement windows may not be the best window style for a bathroom, however. They open wide enough for a child to fit through, so you would not want to leave a young child unattended in a bathroom with an open casement window.
2. Awning Windows
Awning windows are typically small. The windows opens like an awning, tilting open on hinges along the top. As with casement windows, there is a big, wide window opening that allows for plenty of airflow. The moist air can flow out, and the dryer outdoor air can flow in.
You can place awning windows high up on a bathroom wall to provide ventilation without sacrificing privacy. They’re typically too small and too high for children to fall through, so they’re a very smart choice for kids’ bathrooms or for moist basement playrooms where your kids spend time unsupervised.
Awning windows also work well above kitchen counters. If your kitchen gets moist due to a lack of ventilation, your contractor should be able to squeeze a few small awning windows in – even if you are short on space – helping you get rid of steam and humidity.
3. Double-Hung Windows
Double-hung windows slide up or down to open. They don’t have as a wide an opening as casement or awning windows, but they are still a good choice for ventilating moist rooms. You can open the window from the top, allowing you to ventilate the room without worry of a pet escaping.
If you primarily have moisture problems in the summer, double-hung windows are a very smart choice because they’re compatible with window air conditioning units. Place a window air conditioner in the bottom portion of the window, and it will extract moisture from your air as it cools.
Even if you have central air, you may need the dehumidifying and cooling boost from a window unit in the kitchen or laundry room.
Double-hung windows also have a classic look. They’re a good choice if you want the ability to dry out a room, but you don’t want to sacrifice your home’s traditional style. Casement windows are often considered less-stylish by comparison.
All three of the window styles above are great fits for moist rooms. Make sure you also pay attention to the material from which the window is made, however. Steer clear of wood windows, since they tend to develop rot in moist areas. Vinyl and composite windows are much smarter choices for the kitchen, bath, and laundry room. Contact JFK Window & Door to learn more about your options.
