Gas Strut Windows in Aluminum Clad Wood
A top-hinged sash that lifts on gas struts and holds itself open above the counter.
What a Gas Strut Window Does
A gas strut window is a top-hinged sash that pushes outward and stays up on its own. Two gas struts take the weight, so the sash parks above the frame like a canopy and leaves the opening clear. That's the whole point. You get an unobstructed pass-through between a kitchen and a patio, or between a bar and a dining room, without a sash hanging in the middle of the counter.
Most of these units end up as kitchen pass-throughs, bar-top serveries, restaurant serving windows and pool cabana openings. When the sash comes down, the window seals like any other unit: multi-point locking, compression gaskets, the same glazing system we use across our aluminum clad wood range. Security and thermal performance come back the moment it's closed.
We build them on the same platform as the rest of this site: a solid wood interior with aluminum cladding outside, on a 6063-T5 aluminum clad wood profile. The North American Fenestration Standard, published by AAMA, WDMA and CSA, is the reference point North American buyers usually work from, and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association publishes the certification programs behind it. Ask any supplier which program their unit was evaluated under, and ask for the paperwork.
Why Buyers Pick This Opening
Four things that decide whether a gas strut window is the right call for your opening.
Clear Pass-Through
The sash lifts up and out of the way, so plates, trays and drinks move straight across the counter. No side hinge swinging into the room, no track to step over. For a servery, that clearance is the product.
Wood Inside, Aluminum Out
Solid wood faces the room. Aluminum cladding takes the weather outside, so the exterior won't need repainting every few years. Burmese teak, black walnut, cherry and red rosewood are the usual interior choices.
Built to Your Opening
Every unit is made to order from your rough opening, not pulled from stock. Drawing-based and full customization are both available, and we confirm the opening before production starts. Measure width and height in three places and take the smallest.
Locked When Closed
A multi-point locking system and compression seals close the opening tight when the sash comes down. Hardware comes from ROTO, SIEGENIA, CMECH, HOPPE, HOPO and KINLONG, the same brands we fit across the clad wood range.
Gas Strut Window Specifications
The values below describe the platform this unit is built on.
| Profile | 6063-T5 aluminum clad wood |
|---|---|
| Interior wood | Burmese teak, black walnut, cherry, red rosewood |
| Exterior finish | Powder coating, anodizing, wood-grain finishes |
| Glazing notch | 33 mm |
| Glass | Double or triple Low-E, built-in grille or lattice option |
| Hardware | ROTO, SIEGENIA, CMECH, HOPPE, HOPO, KINLONG |
| Locking | Multi-point locking system |
| Insect screen | Available |
| Sizing | Made to your rough opening |
Final configuration, including strut sizing and opening direction, is confirmed against your drawing before production.
Other Aluminum Clad Wood Windows
The same platform, in the openings most projects need.
Aluminum Clad Wood Awning Windows
Aluminum clad wood awning windows, top-hinged and pushing outward for rain-safe ventilation.
View details
Wood Clad Windows
Wood clad windows with a solid wood interior and a low-maintenance aluminum exterior.
View details
Aluminum Clad Wood Casement Windows
Aluminum clad wood casement windows, side-hinged and swinging outward like a door.
View details
Aluminum Clad Wood Single Hung Windows
Aluminum clad wood single hung windows with a vertical sliding sash and tilt-in cleaning.
View detailsSizing, Sills and Bar-Top Details
A gas strut window is usually specified around a counter, so the sill matters more than the frame color. Sill-less is the common choice for a flush bar top: the unit sits so the interior face lines up with the counter and there's nothing to catch a tray on. A framed sill suits a standard window opening where the wall returns under the unit. Tell us which one you want, because it changes how we build the frame and how the flashing works on the exterior.
Everything is made to your rough opening. The finished unit comes in smaller than the opening you give us. Measure the width and height in three places and take the smallest number, then send a drawing or a photo of the opening along with your finish and glass choice. We confirm the opening and the handing against that drawing before the unit goes into production, so nothing gets built on a guess. If you're comparing suppliers, ask each one what they need from you before they'll quote, and whether they confirm the opening in writing.
Questions buyers ask
What is a gas strut window?
It's a top-hinged window with gas struts that hold the sash open above the frame. Push the sash out and the struts take the weight, so the opening stays clear. Close it and the multi-point lock and seals do their job like any other window. Most go into kitchen pass-throughs, bar serveries and restaurant serving counters.
What is a gas strut pass-through window?
The same unit, named for how it's used. A pass-through window sits above a counter or bar so people on both sides can hand things across. The gas strut version lifts the sash up and out of the way rather than swinging it to one side, which keeps the whole counter width usable. Sill-less builds are common for flush bar tops.
How much does a gas strut window cost?
We don't publish prices because every unit is made to your rough opening. What moves the number is size, sill type, glazing (double or triple Low-E), wood species, aluminum finish and hardware. Send your opening dimensions, a drawing or photo, and your finish and glass choices, and you'll have a quote within 3 hours.
What are gas strut flip out windows?
Flip out is another name for the same mechanism: the sash flips outward from the bottom edge and the struts hold it up. You'll see the term used for servery windows and pool cabana openings. If a supplier uses different wording, ask them to confirm the hinge position and how the sash is held open before you compare quotes.
Send Us Your Opening
Send your rough opening, drawing and finish choice, and we'll quote within 3 hours.