Short answer: a gas strut servery window has a single top-hinged sash that lifts up and outward on gas struts, opening to around 89 degrees to create a wide, unobstructed pass-through between your kitchen and outdoor area. It is one of the most popular servery styles in modern Australian homes because it is clean, simple to operate, and leaves nothing in the way when open.
If you have been planning a kitchen that opens onto an alfresco area, deck, or poolside bar, you have almost certainly come across the servery window. And of all the ways to create one, the gas strut servery window has quickly become the standout choice. Here is everything you need to know, from how it works to how it compares with the alternatives, from our team at Aura Windows & Doors.
What is a gas strut servery window?
A gas strut window is a variation on the classic awning window. Instead of winding open a short way on a chain, the entire sash is hinged at the top and lifts up and outward in one solid piece, held open by gas struts, the same kind of pressurised supports that hold up a car boot or tailgate.
Because the whole sash swings clear of the opening, you get a wide, uninterrupted gap with no central rail, no winder arm, and nothing protruding into your bench space. That makes it perfect as a servery: a pass-through between an indoor kitchen bench and an outdoor bar or dining area. Our own aluminium gas strut windows open to around 89 degrees, so the sash sits almost flat against the wall above the opening and stays well out of the way while you are serving.
How does a gas strut window work?
The mechanism is refreshingly simple, which is a big part of the appeal. You release the lock, lift the sash from the bottom, and the gas struts take the weight. To close it, you pull it back down and lock it. There are no winders to wind, no tracks to clean, and no panels to fold and stack.
Gas struts are engineered to make a large, heavy sash feel light and effortless to operate, and to hold it securely in place once open. It is the kind of thing that feels satisfying every time you use it, and because there are so few moving parts, there is very little to go wrong over the years.
Gas strut vs powered strut servery windows
Alongside the manual gas strut window, there is a powered version that opens and closes at the push of a button. Both create the same wide, clean servery opening. The difference comes down to how you operate them.
A manual gas strut window is the go-to for most kitchens. It is simple, reliable, and there is no wiring involved. A powered strut window comes into its own when the window sits above a deep benchtop or somewhere that is awkward to reach across, since you never have to lean over to lift it. If you are designing a large island servery or a window that is physically hard to get to, the powered option is worth considering. We have both on display in our Mayfield West showroom, so you can feel the difference in person.
Gas strut vs bifold and sliding servery windows
Gas strut windows are not the only way to make a servery. Bifold and sliding windows can do the job too, and each has its place. Here is how they compare.
- Gas strut servery window: One solid sash lifts up and out of the way. Cleanest look, fewest moving parts, and a completely clear opening with no vertical frames breaking up the space. The sash projects outward above the opening, so you need clearance on the outside (it is not ideal directly over a walkway). Gas strut windows also have no sill – meaning a continuous bench top.
- Bifold servery window: The sashes fold out to one side in a concertina. Great for very wide openings, though the folded stack sits to one side and the folds create vertical frame lines when open. Bifold servery windows require some form of track in the bench, meaning it needs to either be routed in, or split into two sections completely. As well, Bi-Folds can open either in or out, meaning the stack becomes a hazard and can reduce travel and wall spacing when fully open.
- Sliding servery window: The panels slide horizontally along a track. A good option where you have no room for anything to project outward, though a sliding window only ever opens to half its width, and the track needs occasional cleaning.
For most standard servery openings, the gas strut wins on looks and simplicity. For very wide spans, a bifold window may suit better, and where nothing can project outward, a sliding window is the practical choice. Our team can help you weigh it up for your specific opening.
Sill or no sill? The café-style servery look
One decision that makes a big difference to the finished look is whether your servery window has a sill or not. Gas strut windows can be made with a traditional sill, or with a sill-less design that lets your benchtop run straight through from inside to outside in one clean line.
The sill-less, or flush, option is what gives you that sought-after café-style servery, where the indoor bench and the outdoor bar appear to be a single continuous surface. It looks fantastic, though it does mean your benchtop material and drainage need to be chosen with the outdoors in mind. A traditional sill is simpler and offers a little extra weather protection. Both look great, it comes down to the finish you are after and how exposed the opening is.
Why gas strut servery windows suit Newcastle and the Hunter
The indoor-outdoor lifestyle is a big part of living in the Hunter, and a servery window is one of the best ways to lean into it. Whether you are entertaining on a warm Newcastle evening, running food out to the pool, or just letting the breeze through while you cook, a gas strut servery blurs the line between your kitchen and your outdoor space.
Aluminium is the ideal frame material for the job here too. It stands up to the salt air along the coast from Newcastle to Port Stephens, it will not warp or swell in the humidity, and a powder-coated finish keeps looking sharp for years with barely any maintenance. Paired with the right glass, a gas strut servery can also be specified for energy efficiency, so you get the open-air lifestyle without the running costs.
Things to consider before you buy
A gas strut servery window is a brilliant addition to the right kitchen, but a few practical points are worth thinking through early:
- Outward clearance: the sash projects outward when open, so make sure there is nothing directly outside the window (like a walkway or a pergola post) that it would foul.
- Benchtop and drainage: especially for a sill-less café-style servery, your benchtop material needs to handle exposure to the weather, and water needs somewhere to go.
- Screens and security: flyscreens, security screens, and opening restrictors can all be specified. Restrictors are worth considering for any servery in an upstairs room.
- Glass options: from clear to tinted, laminated, Low-E, and double glazed, the glass you choose affects comfort, privacy, and energy efficiency.
- New build vs retrofit: servery windows are usually planned into a new build or renovation, since the opening, bench, and outdoor area all need to work together. Our team can advise on what is possible for your project.
See gas strut servery windows in person
The best way to understand why gas strut serveries are so popular is to operate one yourself. Our Mayfield West showroom has them on display, along with the powered strut option and the full range of glass, colours, and hardware, so you can see exactly how they look and feel before you decide.
Explore our aluminium gas strut windows, browse the wider aluminium windows range, or get in touch for a quote. Everything we make is designed and manufactured right here in Newcastle.
Aura Windows & Doors
8 Pambalong Drive, Mayfield West NSW 2304
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gas strut servery window?
A gas strut servery window has a single top-hinged sash that lifts up and outward on gas struts, opening to around 89 degrees to create a wide, unobstructed pass-through between your kitchen and an outdoor area. It is based on the awning window design but opens as one solid piece, leaving a clean opening with nothing in the way, which makes it ideal for serving and entertaining.
What is the difference between a gas strut and a bifold servery window?
A gas strut servery window has one sash that lifts up and out of the way, giving the cleanest look with no vertical frame lines breaking up the opening. A bifold servery window has multiple sashes that fold to one side in a concertina, which suits very wide openings but leaves a folded stack to one side and frame lines when open. Gas strut is usually preferred for standard openings; bifold for very wide spans.
Can a gas strut servery window have no sill?
Yes. Gas strut windows can be made sill-less so your benchtop runs straight through from inside to outside in one continuous line, creating a café-style servery. This looks fantastic, though the benchtop material and drainage need to be suited to outdoor exposure. A traditional sill is also available and offers a little extra weather protection.
Can you put a flyscreen on a gas strut servery window?
Yes. As gas strut windows open outward, the flyscreen sits on the inside of the frame, making a vertical retractable screen the ideal choice for a servery. It pulls down to keep insects out while the window is open, then rolls neatly away into a compact housing at the top of the frame when you want to use the servery. That means you get fresh air without the bugs, and a completely clear pass-through whenever you’re serving or entertaining. Talk to our team about retractable screen options when you’re planning your servery.
How far does a gas strut window open?
Aura’s aluminium gas strut windows open to around 89 degrees, so the sash sits almost flat against the wall above the opening. The gas struts hold it securely in place while open and make a large, heavy sash feel light and effortless to lift.
Where can I see gas strut servery windows in Newcastle?
Aura Windows & Doors has gas strut and powered strut servery windows on display at our Mayfield West showroom, along with our full range of glass, colours, and hardware. Everything is designed and manufactured locally in Newcastle, and our team services the broader Hunter region including Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton, and the Central Coast.
