A French window is a symmetrical pair of side-hung sashes that open from the center — both sashes swing outward (or inward), giving a wide elegant opening to a balcony or garden. The look is unmistakably classic and works particularly well with traditional Indian home architecture, but the frame can be modern uPVC rather than the old painted timber. Glassterr manufactures uPVC French windows at our Pannimadai factory with multi-point locking on both sashes and the option of a classic Georgian-bar grid for the traditional divided-light appearance. It's a window type that does heavy aesthetic work for the room.
Technically a French window is just a casement window with two sashes meeting at the center rather than one sash hinged to a frame edge. Mechanically, both sashes hinge outward on their respective sides; one sash carries the multi-point lock and the other carries a 'shoot bolt' that locks into the top and bottom of the frame when closed. When unlocked, both swing fully open to give a wide clear opening with no central pillar. The look is the main reason to choose this over a regular casement — it's the most architecturally formal window option in the uPVC range.
Mostly height. French windows typically span 1.2-1.8m tall and sit on a wall like a normal window. French doors go floor-to-ceiling (2.0-2.2m+) and you walk through them. Construction is similar — paired side-hung leaves opening from the center.
Yes — the divided-light or Georgian-bar look is achieved either with bars fitted externally on the glass, or with bars sandwiched between glazing in a double-glazed unit. Both give the traditional appearance with the modern weather sealing and durability of uPVC.
The active sash has a vertical multi-point lock that engages along its closing edge; the passive sash has a flush 'astragal' moulding that the active sash closes against, with gasket compression between them. Done correctly it seals as well as any single-sash casement.
Yes — both configurations are available. Outward is more common because it doesn't intrude on room furniture; inward is sometimes preferred for upper-floor rooms where outside swing space is tight.
Yes, about 20-30% more per square foot for the paired-sash hardware, shoot bolt, astragal moulding, and any Georgian-bar treatment. For a 5ft × 5ft French window, typically ₹35,000-55,000 depending on spec.
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