• themeatbridge@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    They are called “casement” windows, specifically turn/tilt operation, and they do exist in the USA. They are typically more expensive than vinyl double hung, and home builders tend to shy away from anything “different” that might scare away home buyers. That’s why you don’t see them very often.

    But if you want them, you can buy them and have them installed. You can even get them in patio door sizes, but the larger the door, the heavier it is when it tilts.

    It’s really common for people unfamiliar with the door function to lift the handle and think it’s locked, and then a strong breeze blows the door inward. Between the noise and seeing the door falling inward, it can be pretty scary.

    Source: I worked in construction in the US with European builders who loved these things and couldn’t figure out why Americans didn’t.

    • Nerd02@lemmy.basedcount.com
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      5 months ago

      In Italian and French they are caled “Vasistas”, from the German “Was ist das?” (What’s that?), it’s said they called it that way because the first German tourists who saw those windows in France were confused and kept asking for clarifications on how they worked.