Top swing reversible windows are also mainly used in high-rise buildings, but they could be worth considering for the home. Essentially, these operate in precisely the same way as top-hung casement windows, but they use a very sophisticated friction-stay mechanism. The window is opened to its normal opening position and then stops as a standard opened window. Upon releasing a catch on the friction stays, the window continues to open out still further and reverses back on itself, bringing the outside pane to the inside.
The window profile, or window frame, can be made mainly from three different materials: plastic, i.e. PVC, wood and aluminium. Plastic profiles are the most common and the most economical. Laminated timber frames are valued for their naturalness and rigidity, which is particularly important for larger patio windows. However, they are more expensive, heavier and require regular maintenance. Aluminium profiles, on the other hand, although they have the highest cost, are the most rigid, durable and maintenance-free. This is why their share of the market is steadily increasing, although due primarily to their high price, they still do not exceed a few percent.