If you're building a new home or remodeling and existing home, you are probably already feeling frustrated by the many different types of windows available. You can choose windows that are most functional, stick with windows that enhance the look of your home, or pick historical styles that complement your home's origins. Let's take a look at some of the most popular types of windows available.
Bay Windows
Most homeowners way at least one bay window in their home, though these can be the most difficult and costly to install in many cases. A bay window juts out from the wall, and may or may not have a window seat. The most common style is one that had a flat piece and two slated side pieces that attach to the home, but bay windows come in a number of styles. With a bay window, remember that you're changing the shape of your home, so you may need to rework the flooring, siding, and roof of the house as well.
Awning Windows
Most common in commercial structures when they first were used in building, awning windows swing or crank outward from the bottom. Today, these are most commonly used in small basement windows, but also work well for homes built from the 1940s through 1960s, when this style was popular. Keep in mind that you won't be able to use a wall air conditioner in these types of windows, and you need to ensure that there's enough space to swing the window out without hitting trees, buildings, or other obstructions.
The counterpart to the awning window is the casement window. These are similar, but instead of swinging up to open, they swing out from side to side. Casement windows are inexpensive and easy to install, but often need to be replaced more quickly than other kinds of windows.
Sliding Windows
As the name implies, sliding window open by using two sashes that slide past one another. Usually, sliding windows slide up, and they may be called “vertical windows†in this case. This allows you to completely open the window or have a screen in place. A spring keeps the pan in place until you push it back down. However, there are also sliding windows that also slide horizontally. These windows are less prone to problems that you'd find in vertical windows, since there doesn't need to be a spring to keep the window from falling.
Storm Windows
Storm windows are actually used on top of other types of windows and are helpful with any kind of window that is meant to open. During the winter, you can remove the screen from the window and put the storm window in its place. This is simply a second pane of glass, which is meant to help insulate your home during the winter. Some storm windows are meant to stay in place year-round, always providing that extra layer of protection from the elements.
Transom Windows
You can't open transom windows—they are simply meant to be decorative. Transom Windows are located above doors and sometimes other, larger windows, to provide a decorative touch and let in more light. They are usually arches, though can also be rectangular in shape, and many people opt to have stained glass in this window or add other decorative touches.
Bow Windows
Bow windows are kind of like bay windows, but they use four casement windows to form an arch that juts out from the house. These types of windows can also accommodate a window seat and have all the advantages of a bay window as far as letting in the light and giving you a nicer view. Most of the time, bow windows are less expensive, but keep in mind that the view will be slightly more obstructed with woodwork than you'd have with a bay window.
Skylights
We sometimes forget it, but skylights are windows too. These windows provide you with romantic, beautiful views of the sky, and they're practical if you need more light in a room, but don't want to sacrifice privacy. If you have a finished attic area, with no crawlspace, these can also be your only option for windows in a room, since the walls probably slant, making other types of windows impossible to install.
Doors with Windows
Don't forget that your door can also let in the light. Doors that have windows in them are typically much more expensive than solid doors, but the payoff is that you're letting more light into your home. Adding a door with a window is usually less expensive than adding a door and a window separately. Sliding glass doors are also popular, though they work best leading to an area that is your, like a deck, balcony, or fenced-in yard, not leading to a public area or your front yard.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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