# Does Your House Have an Eastern Style Window Casing?

- Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/eastern-style-window-casing/
- Published: 2019-10-30T11:36:42-04:00
- Author: Ken Roginski

Did you ever hear of an Eastern Style window casing? An eastern window casing is
something I heard of not too long ago and is only found in the New England states.

A regular window casing is otherwise known as a Western Style window casing. Whether
you have an eastern style window casing or western style really does not matter 
much unless you use storm windows or working shutters.  **Storm windows on eastern
style window casings is a huge problem**.

Window casings all have what is called a Blind Stop. Eastern style window casings
do not have a blind stop. Continue reading and you will see what kind of window 
casing you have and what you need to know.

I really do not know much about the history of these window casings. I would assume
that early double hung windows were very primitive and this primitive design somehow
remained in use in New England until around 1970 (not 1870). Historically, solid
shutters were called shutters and louvered shutters (which came about in the mid
18th century) were called blinds.  The blind stop was added to the window casing
after the introduction of louvered shutters (blinds) and called the blind stop because
it stopped the blinds from hitting the window sash. If anyone has other information
on this please let me know.

[⌊eastern style window casing⌉⌊eastern style window casing⌉[

This is an Eastern Style window casing used in New England.

## What is a Blind Stop on a Window?

[⌊window casing diagram blind stop⌉⌊window casing diagram blind stop⌉[

Western Style Window Casing has a blind stop. This is necessary for storm windows
and shutters.

[⌊eastern style window casing⌉⌊eastern style window casing⌉[

Eastern Style Window Casing does NOT have a blind stop.

Look at the western style window casing image on the left. To make it easy the blind
stop is colored in light blue. The blind stop goes all around the window and ends
at the bottom at the window sill, which is colored in blue. What is important here
is that there is a flat edge on both the face of the blind stop and the window sill.
This flat edge acts as a resting place when closing shutters. Here’s some more info
on [window casing design. ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/window-designs/#windowcasing)

Look at the purple mark in front of the blind stop. The is where the shutter would
fit. The outside of the shutter is flush with the face of the window casing and 
the inside of the shutter is resting against the blind stop. There is just a small
space between the back of the shutter and the front of the window sash frame.

Now look at the eastern style window casing image to the right. Notice there isn’t
any blind stop and the upper window sash is closer to the face of the window casing.
When shutters are closed – or at least when the shutters were regularly used and
closed 120 years ago – the shutter would rest against the window sash and also stick
out past the face of the window casing, looking sloppy. There is only about 3/4″
between the face of the upper sash and the face of the casing.

## Storm Window Problems with Eastern Style Window Casings

First, this is what a Western Style window casing (normal window casing) should 
look like with a double track storm window.

[⌊quanta panel storm window close up⌉⌊quanta panel storm window close up⌉[

Double track storm window from Quanta Panel attaches to blind stop and is barely
noticeable.

[⌊quanta panel storm window⌉⌊quanta panel storm window⌉[

The storm window fits inside the window casing creating a nice shadow-line around
the edge.

The images above show a double track storm window by [Quanta Panel ](https://www.quantapanel.com).
Notice how it fits nicely inside the window casing and is boarded by a nice shadow
line around the edges that improves the appearance. The face of the window casing
is not obstructed by any junk attached to it.

[⌊eastern window casing storm window mounting⌉⌊eastern window casing storm window
mounting⌉[

See how this ugly storm window looks on an eastern style window casing. Notice that
the storm window is screwed into the face of the casing instead of the blind stop.

[⌊storm window on eastern style window casing⌉⌊storm window on eastern style window
casing⌉[

Storm window mounted on face of window casing looks sloppy and like it doesn’t belong
there.

The windows above look absolutely ridiculous! I would sooner board up my window 
from the inside before I put a storm window on the top of the window casing.

A storm window, like a shutter, rests on and is screwed into the blind stop of a
window casing. **Without a blind stop the storm window can only be attached to the
face of the window casing.**

A storm window has many benefits but they do take away from the appearance of a 
naked window even when attached to the blind stop. The common triple track storm
window is a very thick object that protrudes a few inches away from the window. 
When mounted to the window casing it appears to be gigantic!  Double track windows
are much better looking since they are not as thick but still will look ridiculous
on an eastern style window casing.

Please understand however that any exterior storm window will protect and add to
the life of your historic windows which if cared for will last well over 200 years.
A high quality replacement window will look wrong and will last about 15 years and
end up in the landfill. Remember “maintenance free” means Cannot Be Maintained. 
Read about [window information you must know ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/windows/).

## What To Do If You Have Eastern Style Window Casings and Want Storm Windows

 

**GOOD NEWS!**  [Allied Window, Inc. ](https://catalog.alliedwindow.com/item/historic-one-lite-windows/historic-one-lite-eastern-style-casing-2/item-1082)**
manufactures a top quality storm window that can be installed on eastern style window
casings.** This “invisible” storm window comes with an attachment making the storm
window appear as if there were a blind stop.

[⌊storm window adapter for eastern window sash⌉⌊storm window adapter for eastern
window sash⌉[

Thankfully, Allied Windows makes a nice storm window that has an adapter to make
an Eastern Style window look good.

Allied makes an adapter to attach the storm window to. The adapter is a long metal
strip shaped like a tiny “L” or a “U” channel. Once installed on both the left and
right sides of the window, you now have two vertical tracks running up and down 
the inside edges of the window opening. Because the tracks are tucked into that 
3/4-inch deep space _in front_ of the sash, the primary sash is completely free 
to slide up and down behind them.

 

[⌊allied storm eastern style casing⌉⌊allied storm eastern style casing⌉[

Allied Window, Inc. manufacturers a storm window for eastern style window casings.
So if you care how your house looks you can have beautiful windows again.

These storm windows are single track and less convenient to use compared to the 
triple track which are easier to use because the windows are self storing. This 
is a small price to pay for the excellent curb appeal you will get. There is no 
excuse to have ugly storm windows that makes your house ugly. So** if you care****
about how your house looks you have three options**.

 1. Do not have any storm window and freeze in the New England winters or waste lots
    of heat.
 2. Install an [Interior Storm Window ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/interior-storm-windows/).(
    Does an excellent job of insulating but doesn’t protect the historic window’s exterior.)
 3. Install an exterior storm window from [Allied Window, Inc ](https://catalog.alliedwindow.com/item/historic-one-lite-windows/historic-one-lite-eastern-style-casing-2/item-1082).

I recently spent a weekend at Provincetown – Cape Cod, Massachusetts and was shocked
how almost all the homes that once looked beautiful could look so ugly because of
the storm windows they used. I know they have a very strict Preservation Commission
but unfortunately they neglect the impact of what bad storm window can do to a house.

I sent this information and an email to Darlene Van Alstyne and Anne Howard. Neither
of them offered the courtesy of a reply. Many times with historic commissions the
members are more concerned with exercising their power and authority than making
improvements.

OK New Englanders.

Your house can be beautiful again.

Call Melanie from [Allied Window, Inc. ](https://catalog.alliedwindow.com/item/historic-one-lite-windows/historic-one-lite-eastern-style-casing-2/item-1082)
and she will help you. All this may be confusing but she is very patient and explains
it all nicely.

[⌊homeowners with eastern style window casing⌉⌊homeowners with eastern style window
casing⌉[

Neighbors with ugly storm windows.

## Shutters for Eastern Style Windows?

Yes you can have shutters but they are different than what you would expect.  [Read about Shutters here.  ](https://www.oldhouseguy.com/all-about-shutters/)

The link takes you to all the info on shutters but for specifics go to **Part 2.**