Recently when researching adding double-glazing to the living room I realized what I remembered as casements were modified double hung windows. That is where you have a fixed lower window and turn the upper window into an awning window; it may be a New Zealand modification, as I’ve never seen it in the U.S. It is a great way to maintain the look of double hung windows, and improve the weather tightness.

This intrigued me when I saw it done in an added window in the Villa we rented. So much so, that I put in this kind of window in a sleep-out I later built to match my Villa. After seeing the above window photo in Branz Renovate 1940-1960s, pg.10 though, I’m thinking maybe they weren’t modified, but built this way originally.

The other thing I like is to paint the window exteriors dark, so they recede. It is surprising what a difference it makes. When I was painting these (middle house in the picture to the left) a neighbor came up and asked me what I had done to change the house so much, just a little paint.

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