Tilt and turn windows provide a modern and practical dimension to modern homes. They also provide a fresh and unobtrusive way to decorate the exterior of your home. When viewed from inside a tilt and turn window looks like a normal, flat window with an angled outside edge. While most tilt and turn windows opening outwards, some open inwards for greater ventilation, increased security and ease of maintenance. The tilting inward vent configuration is favored by some to be an attractive, stylish choice.

There are several different styles of tilt and turn windows available to suit your personal preferences. It’s important to consider your ventilation needs when considering your options. If you need greater ventilation or a combination of both to improve your air quality, then the tilt and turn style will give you the best venting and air quality.

Most tilt and turns have a single, fixed, wide shutter that can be opened to one side and closed again. There is generally one, single, light-colored, generally square door leading to the external light or interior light. Some come with a hinged, casement window that opens to an inner or external light. Other styles include a center drawer that opens outward, an outer hinged or casement window that opens outward and a hopper window. Each style has different ventilation requirements.

If you choose a tilt position the door will generally be on one side of the frame instead of both sides. This provides good ventilation but it means that in addition to providing good ventilation the window is more likely to suffer some damage from weathering. In order to maintain the look of a casement window the door needs to be repainted at regular intervals and the casement window needs to be hinged or turned every few years. The tilt position also means that the window is at risk of being broken and dented.

Tilt and turn windows are popular in older homes and older houses with limited entryways and poor outside lighting. In these cases the best choice is to leave the sash window open, providing good ventilation, but keep the tilt position in place for safety. It is difficult to get a sash window opened when it is in tilt position but the window can be opened slightly to allow some ventilation.

In older houses there is typically not a good seal between the interior and exterior frames. The seal is usually very weak. If this is the case, you might try using an inexpensive caulking gun to seal the frame joints and surfaces. Be very careful not to spray too much caulking as you will mar the finish over time. Leave enough caulking to give good weathering.

The other option for tilt and turn is to use double-hung sash windows. These are more difficult to install but can offer better insulation, better ventilation, and greater security. Double hung has two panes of glass separated by a thin layer of tinted film. The film protects the glass from scratches and cuts, so the window opens smoothly and has fewer problems with warping and distortion.

Tilt and turn windows provide ventilation for your home while letting in fresh air. They are great at keeping the cold out while providing fresh air from inside. Make sure to regularly maintain your windows to keep them working well and to reduce the maintenance costs. By taking the proper precautions and keeping them clean you can keep your home cooler without using up all the energy you have to operate your air conditioning.