Pass-Through Windows Custom Built Up to 16' Wide
The Optvue gas strut window, also known as a pass-through window, opens your kitchen, bar or service counter straight to the outdoors. The sash lifts up and out of the way on gas struts or a quiet motor, leaving a clear, wide opening with no track on the sill and no posts in the view. Every window is engineered and built to order in Oceanside, California, and shipped nationwide.
Pass-Through Window Specifications at a Glance
Width: up to 16' wide; up to 13' x 6' in a single piece of glass; largest overall unit 20' x 10'
Operation: gas strut (manual) or motorized SL and EL series with wall switch
Frame: 6063 architectural aluminum, thermally broken frame and sash, 2.652" sash depth
Glass: 1" insulated, argon-filled, Low-E; laminated, tinted, frosted and textured options
Opening: 90° standard, operable from inside or outside
Sill: flush, no-sill or raised sill designs; custom sill pans available
Screens: concealed or motorized roll-down screens
Lead time: 4 weeks for standard sizes; custom sizes and added features can take 8 weeks or more; express ship available for an added fee
Delivery: ships fully assembled, struts or motors factory-tuned
Warranty: backed by the Optvue Limited Warranty
What Is a Pass-Through Window?
A pass-through window, also called a servery window, bar window or gas strut awning window, is a top-hinged window that lifts up and out of the way. It opens a wall between two spaces, usually a kitchen and a patio, bar or outdoor kitchen, so food, drinks and conversation can move straight across the counter. When open, the sash sits above the opening like a canopy.
Creates a true indoor-outdoor connection
Brings in maximum fresh air and natural light
Opens with minimal effort, by hand or at the push of a switch
Shades the counter like a canopy when open
Works for kitchens, bars, restaurants and service counters
Gas Strut or Motorized: Two Ways to Open
Gas strut pass-through windows
Our THRUVUE™ Infinity gas strut window lifts by hand on sealed, factory-tuned commercial gas struts and stays open on its own. It suits most homes and needs no wiring.
Motorized pass-through windows
Our SL and EL series motorized windows open and close from a wall switch. They are the best choice for very wide sashes, high counters, commercial service windows or anyone who would rather not physically open or close their window.
Already have a window from another manufacturer? AutoMate™ can motorize it.
Residential Pass-Through Windows
A pass-through window is one of the most requested upgrades in modern home design. It makes a kitchen feel bigger and brighter and turns the patio into part of the house.
Popular residential uses
Kitchen pass-throughs for entertaining
Indoor-outdoor bars and outdoor kitchens
Patios, decks and terraces
Pool houses and cabanas
Lake, mountain and coastal homes
Remodels and new builds
Commercial Pass-Through Windows
Restaurants, bars and venues need windows that stand up to daily service and still look sharp. Optvue commercial pass-through windows are built from the same architectural aluminum, with motorized options for high-volume counters.
Popular commercial uses
Restaurants and rooftop bars
Breweries and tasting rooms
Coffee shops
Event venues and stadiums
Resort clubhouses
Concession stands, kiosks and ticket windows
Engineering, Options and Installation
Construction and materials
Frames and sashes are 6063 architectural aluminum with a thermal break in both the frame and the sash. The 2.652 inch sash depth keeps even very wide windows rigid. Glass is 1 inch insulated, argon-filled and Low-E, with laminated, tinted, frosted, textured and specialty options.
Operation and performance
Gas strut windows open to 90 degrees as standard, with custom opening angles available, and can be operated from inside or outside. Struts are commercial grade, factory installed and tuned to each window’s size and weight, and rated for 30,000 open and close cycles. Motorized windows open and close from a wall switch.
Energy efficiency
Thermally broken frames, argon-filled insulated glass and multiple Low-E coating options keep heat and cold where they belong, so the window performs like the rest of your home when it is closed.
Custom options
Manual or motorized operation, pivot-opening configurations, vertical or horizontal mullions, split interior and exterior finishes, custom powder-coat colors, premium hardware finishes, flush, no-sill or raised sill designs, custom sill pans, concealed or motorized roll-down screens and LED lighting.
Installation
Windows arrive fully assembled with struts or motors already installed and tuned. Order the window about half an inch under the rough opening width and height, and flash the opening and sill pan to ASTM E2112. Allow at least 2 inches of clearance above the sash when fully open, and plan around countertop height and depth, backsplash and faucets. Optvue can recommend an installer in your area, or our team can guide your own installer or contractor.
Lead time and shipping
Standard sizes ship in 4 weeks from signed shop drawings. Custom sizes and added features can extend lead time to 8 weeks or more, depending on how complex the design is. Express ship is available for an added fee. Freight orders ship in protective wood crates to the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Pass-Through Window FAQ
What is the difference between a pass-through window and a gas strut window?
A pass-through window is any window that opens a wall so you can pass food, drinks and conversation across a counter. A gas strut window is one way to build it: the sash lifts on gas struts and stays open on its own. Optvue makes pass-through windows with gas strut or motorized operation.
Can a pass-through window be used in a restaurant or bar?
Yes. Optvue pass-through windows are used in restaurants, rooftop bars, breweries, coffee shops, stadiums and concession stands. Motorized operation is popular for busy service counters.
Do I need a sill on a pass-through window?
No. Optvue offers flush, no-sill and raised sill designs, plus custom sill pans, so the window can sit flush with your countertop or seal against weather on an exposed wall.
Can I add a screen to a pass-through window?
Yes. Concealed or motorized roll-down screens keep insects out when the window is open and disappear when you don’t need them.
What size rough opening do I need?
Order the window about half an inch under the rough opening width and height. You can also enter your opening in the LiveVue designer to see exactly what fits and download a shop drawing.
Where does Optvue ship pass-through windows?
Optvue ships nationwide from Oceanside, California, and to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Freight orders ship fully assembled in protective wood crates.
Product Details and Downloads
Request a Quote for Your Pass-Through Window
Tell us about your opening and we'll send a quote with a shop drawing, or design it yourself in LiveVue and send us the PDF.