Tilt & turn windows
One handle, two ways to open: tilt for secure ventilation, turn to open the whole window inwards for cleaning or escape.
What is a tilt & turn window?
A tilt & turn window is an inward-opening window with two opening modes, controlled by a single handle. With the handle pointing down, the window is locked. Turn it to horizontal and the whole sash swings into the room like a door. Turn it to point upwards and the top of the sash tips in a few centimetres for ventilation, while the bottom stays locked to the frame. The design is standard across much of continental Europe and is increasingly common in Irish new builds and renovations.
Tilt & turn windows at a glance
- Opening: Inward. Tilt (top tips in) or turn (fully open)
- Control: One handle with three positions: locked, turn and tilt
- Frame: Thermally broken aluminium
- Glazing: Double or triple glazed, low-e with argon
- Security: Concealed multi-point locking around the whole sash
- Finish: Any RAL colour, with dual colour available
Why people choose tilt & turn
Secure ventilation. In the tilt position, the window is open enough to air the room but stays locked in at the bottom. That’s handy for bedrooms at night and for leaving a room aired while you’re out.
Cleaning from inside. Because the sash opens fully inwards, you can clean both sides of the glass from inside the room. Upstairs, that means no ladders.
Easy where you can’t reach out. Over a kitchen sink, or behind a deep window board, an inward-opening window is simply easier to use.
Big, heavy panes. Tilt & turn hardware carries big sashes well, and it works with triple glazing.
How we survey, supply and fit tilt & turn windows
- Survey. We measure each opening and check there’s room inside for the sash to swing. Blinds, curtain poles, radiators and window boards all need to clear it.
- Specification. We agree the handle side, glass and colours, and decide which windows become escape openings.
- Made to measure. The windows are built to your sizes and delivered glazed.
- Fitting. We fix, level and seal each frame, then set up the hardware so the sash tilts and turns smoothly.
- Handover. We show everyone in the house how the handle positions work. Turning the handle the wrong way is the classic first-week mistake.
Choosing tilt & turn windows
Mind the swing. The open sash comes into the room, so think about what’s in front of the window. Blinds fitted inside the recess or on the sash itself work best.
Handle side. Hinge on the side that keeps the open sash out of the way, usually away from the nearest wall.
Child safety. Lockable handles stop small hands turning the window into the fully open position.
Glass. Pair with laminated glass for security and noise on ground floors, and solar control glass on big south-facing sashes.
Tilt & turn window ideas
These are illustrations of design ideas, not photos of specific Brega Glazing jobs. See more in our ideas gallery.
Typical uses for tilt & turn windows
- Upstairs bedrooms in family homes, for safe ventilation and easy cleaning
- Kitchens, especially above a sink
- Apartments and upper floors with no easy outside access for cleaning
- Passive and low-energy builds using triple glazing
Tilt & turn window FAQs
Are tilt & turn windows secure in the tilt position?
Yes. In the tilt position the bottom of the sash stays locked to the frame and the top opens only a small amount, so the window can’t be opened further from outside. For extra peace of mind, we can fit a lockable handle.
Do tilt & turn windows work as fire escape windows?
They can, and they make good escape windows because the turn position opens the whole sash. The window has to be sized to give a large enough clear opening, which we check when we survey.
Will a tilt & turn window hit my blinds or curtains?
It can, because the sash opens inwards. We check this at survey. Blinds fitted inside the recess or onto the sash avoid the problem, and curtains need to pull clear of the opening.
Are tilt & turn windows more expensive than casements?
Usually a little, because the hardware is more complex. Many people find the easier cleaning and secure ventilation worth it, especially upstairs.