European Tilt and Turn Windows for American Homes
Tilt and turn windows are the standard window in Germany, Austria and most of Europe, and more American homeowners and architects ask for them every year.
One handle, two ways to open: tilt the top of the sash in for secure ventilation, or turn it in like a door to open the window all the way.
We make them in uPVC, aluminum and wood in Austria, Germany and Poland, and deliver them to projects across the United States.
How Tilt and Turn Windows Work
Every tilt and turn window has a single handle with three positions.
Handle down: the window is closed and locked. Locking points all around the sash pull it tight against the gaskets.
Handle sideways (turn): the sash swings into the room on its side hinges. Use it for a quick change of air, for cleaning both sides of the glass from inside, or as an easy way out in an emergency.
Handle up (tilt): the top of the sash leans into the room by a few inches. Fresh air comes in high, rain stays out and the gap is too small to climb through, so you can leave it open when you are not home.
Most of our tilt and turn windows also have a micro-ventilation setting, a very small tilt that keeps a slow, steady flow of air going all day, even in winter.
Do tilt and turn windows open outward? No. Both modes open into the room, so you can clean the outside of the glass from inside and keep an insect screen on the outside all year. Read more in Do Tilt and Turn Windows Open Outward?
Why Choose Tilt and Turn Over American Windows?
Two ways to open. Secure ventilation and a full opening in one window. Double-hung and sliding windows only ever open half way.
Tight seal. Compression gaskets on all four sides seal far better than the sliding weatherstripping on double-hung windows. That means fewer drafts and lower energy bills.
Security. Multiple locking points around the sash make a closed window very hard to pry open.
Easy cleaning. Both sides of the glass can be cleaned from inside, even on upper floors.
Larger openings. Steel-reinforced uPVC and aluminum frames allow bigger sashes than standard casement windows, so you get more glass and better views.
Quiet rooms. The same tight seal, combined with acoustic glass, keeps out traffic and aircraft noise.
Made in Austria, Germany and Poland
Our windows are built in European factories under the supervision of our headquarters in Prague, then inspected at our fulfillment center before they ship to you. We use profile systems from established European manufacturers, including Aluplast, Salamander and Aluprof.
Choose your material
uPVC tilt and turn windows: the most popular choice. Low maintenance, very good insulation and the best value. Ideal 4000 and Ideal 8000 profiles with U-values from 0.13.
Aluminum tilt and turn windows: slim frames, large sizes and a modern look. Aluprof MB-79N, MB-86, MB-104 Passive and MaxLight systems.
Wood tilt and turn windows: natural warmth for traditional and high-end homes, with aluminum-clad options for low exterior maintenance.
Energy efficiency and glass
Standard glass is Low-E double pane with argon fill and a black warm-edge spacer. Triple glazing, acoustic, solar control and safety glass are all available. Depending on the profile and glass, our windows reach U-values as low as 0.13, which beats ENERGY STAR requirements in every U.S. climate zone. See energy efficiency, glass options and our test reports.
Tilt-Only Windows
A sash that only tilts. It is a good fit for bathrooms, stairwells, basements and high windows where you want fresh air but never need a full opening.
The tilt can be adjusted by hand, from wide open down to micro-ventilation. Security stays on the frame limit how far the sash can lean in, so even a tilted window is too narrow for anyone to climb through.
Tilt and Turn Windows
The European classic with both functions in one sash. Tilt it for secure ventilation and a steady flow of fresh air, or turn it to open the window all the way, 90 degrees into the room.
It suits every type of room and is the window most people mean when they say "European windows". Available in uPVC, aluminum and wood.
Picture Windows
Fixed glass for the best view and the most daylight. Picture windows are often used where the view is the main point, for example facing a garden, the sea or the mountains.
They don't open, so they are usually combined with tilt and turn sashes in the same frame. That way you get the large pane of glass and still have fresh air in the room.
Double Tilt and Turn Windows
Two sashes in one frame with a fixed center post between them. Each sash has its own handle, so you can open the left, the right or both.
Both sashes tilt and turn. You can leave them tilted while you are away, because the locking hardware keeps a tilted sash secure. This is one of the most common European layouts for living rooms and bedrooms.
French Tilt and Turn Windows
Two sashes with no center post, so you get a wide, unobstructed opening when both are open. It works well where you want the feel of a small French door.
Both sashes turn inward. Only the sash with the handle also tilts, and the second sash is turn-only. Once the first sash is open, the second one is released and can swing in as well.
Triple Tilt and Turn Windows
Three sashes with two center posts and three handles, one on each sash. Open one, two or all three, depending on how much air you want, or tilt them all for ventilation.
Triple windows are a good choice for wide openings in living rooms, kitchens and dining areas, where one large sash would be too heavy to swing.
Custom Shape Windows
Arches, triangles, trapezoids, round windows and other shapes for unusual architecture. Shaped units can be fixed or, in many cases, made as tilt or tilt and turn sashes.
Send us the drawing with the sizes and we will tell you what is possible in your chosen material.
Sliding Windows and Doors
Where a sash can't swing into the room, for example behind a kitchen counter or next to furniture, a sliding system is the better choice. Our sliding systems are robust but easy to move, and they suit large openings toward a garden or terrace. See our tilt and slide and lift and slide doors.
Safety for families
A tilted window lets air in without a wide opening. For extra protection, add lockable handles or opening limiters. More on our child safety page. If you need windows that are easy to reach and operate from a seated position, see our ADA windows.
How to order tilt and turn windows
Send us your sizes or drawings. Every window is made to measure.
Get your quote within 48 hours. Each unit is listed with its size, opening type, glass and performance data.
Production and shipping. From about 3 weeks for white uPVC by air, typically 6 to 12 weeks by ocean freight and up to 16 weeks for special orders.
Installation. With mounting straps, a nailing flange or through the frame, by your own installation crew. Our manuals cover each method.
Every window is covered by our limited warranty: 10 years on frames and components and 20 years on standard glass. Read the whole process in Buying European Tilt and Turn Windows in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
Do tilt and turn windows open outward?
No. They open inward in both tilt and turn mode, which lets you clean the glass from inside and keep screens on the outside.
What are turn-only windows?
A turn-only sash opens inward like a door but doesn't tilt. It is used most often as the second sash of a French window without a center post.
Are tilt and turn windows the same as dual action windows?
Yes. Tilt and turn, dual action, two-way and multifunctional windows all describe a window that opens two different ways.
Are tilt and turn windows energy efficient?
Yes. The sash is pressed against gaskets on all four sides, and with triple glazing our windows reach U-values as low as 0.13.
Can I buy tilt and turn windows anywhere in the USA?
Yes. We ship to projects across the country, from New York to Florida. Send us your project and we will quote it within 48 hours.
How long do tilt and turn windows take to arrive?
From about 3 weeks for white uPVC windows by air. Standard orders by ocean freight usually take 6 to 12 weeks, and special orders up to 16 weeks.
Ready to see what tilt and turn windows can do for your home?
Tell us about your project and we will send you a detailed quote within 48 hours. Prefer to talk first? Call us at (321) 765-3355 or send us your project.
