Types of Windows

(According to RealSimple.com)

CASEMENT

What it is: A window that is hinged on the right- or left-hand side and opens outward with a turn of a crank handle.

Pro: It offers excellent ventilation. And since this model is sealed all the way around when shut, it boasts a low air-leakage rate and good noise reduction.

Con: Because it swings out, it won’t work near a walkway or a deck. The crank can get tedious.

DOUBLE-HUNG

 What it is: This type features two sashes (movable panels) that slide vertically open and closed.

Pro: Opening both the top and the bottom creates a natural convection–cool air comes in at the bottom and warm air escapes out the top. Many models tilt inward so you can scrub the panes from the inside.

Con: The horizontal rail in the middle obstructs your view.


FIXED (OR PICTURE WINDOW)

What it is: It doesn’t open but offers unobstructed views.

Pro: A small one can brighten up a stairwell, while a large one showcases an amazing vista. A fixed window comes in many shapes. Plus, no drafts here: It’s completely airtight.

Con: You won’t get any ventilation, of course, and you’ll need to clean the exterior from the outside

AWNING

What it is: Similar to a casement but hinged at the top.

Pro: When extended, the glass slopes downward, so the window can be left open when it rains. It can be used as a clerestory (a window near the top of a wall) to let hot air escape.

Con: Offers only partial ventilation and is usually too small to use in the event of an evacuation.

Tip: Check labels for a window’s U-value (aim for 0.35 or lower). The lower the number, the better its insulating property.


GLIDING WINDOW

What it is: A window with a moving panel that slides to the left or the right to open.

Pro: It is easy to open and doesn’t project outward, so it works well next to walkways and patios. The opening is usually big enough for an emergency evacuation. Fixed screens can be added.

Con: You can open only one side at a time.


SKYLIGHT

What it is: A window installed in the ceiling. Some (called roof windows) are fixed; others open for ventilation.

Pro: Some come with remote-control blinds and coated glass that minimizes exposure to UV rays. If you have an attic, you can get sunlight into a dark closet or room via a tunnel-like skylight that runs to the space from the roof.

Con: You’ll have to climb onto the roof to clean the exterior.


(According to About.com)

Many homes have only the basic types of windows - meaning square and boring. Updated windows can make a nondescript home into one that shines with curb appeal. But you need to know what is available (and what it’s called) when talking to your window professional. Here are some terms you should know:

1. Fixed – This type of window cannot be opened. It is usually inexpensive and suitable for higher windows that won’t be opened anyway.
2. Double hung – One of the most common windows and a great window for a period home. The window consists of two sashes that move up and down. Only half of the window can be open at one time.
3. Casement – Another common window, casement windows are hinged vertically to swing in and out like a door and operated with a crank.
4. Awning – Awning windows are similar to casement windows but are hinged horizontally.
5. Jalousie – Jalousie windows are horizontally placed narrow strips of glass, lowered by a crank. Out of favor today, they were very popular in the mid-century.
6. Sliding – Sliding windows move on top and bottom tracks. They are very common and can be inexpensive.
7. Palladian – A palladian window consists of a group of three windows with an arch over the center. These windows have become very popular in the last decade. They provide visual interest and drama to a home.
8. Picture – Picture windows are especially popular in ranch-style homes. They are large fixed windows flanked by 2 casements or double-hung windows

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Clerestory – Clerestory windows were especially popular in Craftsman homes. They consist of a strip of small horizontal panes set high on a wall.

Elliptical or Arched – Elliptical or arched windows often placed above double-hung or fixed windows in today’s new homes.

The right windows can make the world of difference to the look of your home. You are now equipped to talk with your local home improvement store in the language of windows.

(According to HGTV.com)

8 Types of Windows

What Are Your Needs?

There are many different types of windows that make up the construction of your house. Windows allow natural light to flood your rooms during the day and let in air to keep it fresh and dry. Your windows also help define the style of your house whether it is traditional or modern. You can customize nearly any window to suit your changing tastes and needs.

Double-Hung Windows

This type of window has two sashes that slide vertically up and down in the frame. They can open wide from either the top or the bottom, but they remain inside the frame so they don't protrude out to the exterior or interior of the house. On a single-hung window, only the bottom part of the window operates while the top part remains stationary.

Casement Windows

These hinged windows operate by a turn of a crank in an operating mechanism. They can be hinged on the left or the right to open outward.

Awning Windows

Hinged at the top, awning windows open outward to let in air from the left or right and the bottom. They can be installed above, below or alongside a stationary or operating window.

Picture Window

This variety is a large stationary window that lets in the maximum amount of light and views of the outdoors.

Transom Window

A narrow window that can be either operating to let in air or non-operating (stationary) and mounted above a door or window to let in more light

Slider Windows

Gliding along a track, sliding windows have at least one operating window that slides horizontally over or past the other window. They are most often used in modern- or contemporary-style houses.

Stationary Windows

These windows do not open, but they can be customized in nearly any angle or shape you desire. They are often found in modern- or contemporary-style houses in conjunction with operating windows

(According to Lowes.com)

Types of Windows: Replacement Window Buying Guide

Windows are a key element of home décor, often taken for granted. They affect light, ventilation and temperature as well as the comfort of the home's occupants. Windows also contribute to architectural identity, conveying period and style. When you're choosing new windows, be sure the styles you select suit your home both practically and aesthetically.

Do I Need New or Replacement Windows?

What's the difference between a replacement window and a "new" window? Aren't they both new? Yes, but there is a difference. Normally used in new construction, "new" windows have a nailing flange used to attach them to the rough opening in the wall. They're attached with nails driven into the exterior casing or brick mould on the outside and through the jambs on the inside.
A replacement window has no nailing flange and fits into an existing window frame. Replacements are easier to install and preferred unless the existing frame is damaged and needs replacing.

Window Styles

Windows come in many shapes, sizes and types and are made from a variety of materials. So how do you select the right ones? There are several things to consider: your budget, your home's style and how you want the window to perform. Think about the relative importance of ventilation and security and how easy it should be to maintain. And decide whether you want to emphasize the window as a focal point or have it serve a more practical purpose.
Windows are either fixed or operable. Fixed windows are stationary units mounted within a frame. They're great for letting in light and exposing views but provide no ventilation. Among the more visually interesting choices are octagonal, half-circle or ellipse windows. There are several different types of operable windows. All operable windows come equipped with hardware for opening and closing the sash, latching and locking.

Sliding Windows

These work well at sealing in energy. They may have one or more fixed panels and one or more panels that slide in horizontal tracks. Only half of the total window may be opened for ventilation at one time.

Double-Hung Windows

Classic in style, double-hung windows have an upper, outside sash that slides down and a lower, inside sash that slides up. Hidden springs, weights or friction devices help lift, lower and position the sash. With certain types, the sash can be removed, rotated or tilted for cleaning. If only one sash slides, the window is called vertical sliding or single-hung.

Casement Windows

Hung singly or in pairs, a casement window is operated by cranks that swing the sash outward or inward. It opens fully for easy cleaning and offers excellent ventilation because it can scoop in breezes. Casement windows are used primarily in new construction.

An awning window is like a horizontal, top-hinged casement window that tilts out at the bottom, offering partial ventilation, an unobstructed view and reasonably good security. A top-opening style, typically placed low on a wall, is called a hopper window. Awning windows are used primarily in new construction.

Accent or Picture Windows

Style and variety are the key features of this group. Choose a unique shape such as round or octagonal or perhaps a traditional rectangular, bay or bow window.

Glass Block Windows

The thick break-resistant glass enhances home security, allowing privacy but still letting light into your home.

Skylights

Skylights and tubular skylights provide a lot of natural light with a minimum of space. Many look just like an overhead light fixture – only no electricity. Some tubular skylights are pre-assembled to various degrees to make installation easy.  Due to their relatively small size they work with any roof support type without cutting and reinforcing joists.

Window Materials

Windows are made from a variety of materials, including wood, aluminum, steel, vinyl and fiberglass-or from a combination of these materials. In general, those that offer better weather protection cost more, but they pay off in low maintenance and energy savings.

• Wood — Wood tends to be the most popular window material, particularly for the parts of a window that are seen from indoors. Wood doesn't conduct cold or allow for condensation as much as other materials. Wood windows typically come unfinished unless you order them otherwise. If you intend to paint them, save work by purchasing them already primed on the exterior or interior surfaces of the frame and sash. You can eliminate painting altogether by buying them pre-painted in some standard colors.
• Clad-Wood — You'll find that many of today's windows are wood inside and clad on the outside with a tough, attractive exterior jacket of extruded aluminum or vinyl. The cladding, available in a few stock colors, covers both sash and frame; it'll keep windows virtually maintenance-free for years. With vinyl, the color permeates the material so scratches don't show. Aluminum may scratch, but it's tougher, available in a wider variety of colors and easier to paint. (Vinyl and aluminum shouldn't require painting.) Neither type will rust or rot.
• Aluminum — Aluminum windows are more durable than bare wood, thinner, lighter and easier to handle. They're insulated with a thermal break of extruded vinyl and sometimes also foam, which reduces heat loss and condensation.
• Vinyl — Vinyl windows are made from rigid, impact-resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with hollow spaces inside to make them resistant to heat loss and condensation. Inexpensive vinyl windows may become harder to operate over time and allow air leakage.

Window Orientation and Size

The view out the window is as important as how much light and ventilation the window provides.

Windows connect us to the outdoors and enhance the sense of interior space. For this reason, the placement and size of your windows — and what you'll see from them — is no small consideration.

Where your windows are placed, how large they are and what type they have a significant effect on the amount of light and ventilation they provide.

A south-facing window lets in the most light and is desirable in all but the hottest climates. A north-facing window provides soft, diffused light. Because of the low angle of the sun in the morning and late afternoon, light from east- and west-facing windows may be intense.

Unfortunately, glass isn't nearly as good at conserving energy as an insulated wall, so glazed doors and windows can be responsible for a major part of a home's energy loss if they're not well-chosen. Storm windows and doors and window coverings help retard heat movement, but the surest and most effective way to save energy is to utilize high-performance glazing.

Check two important ratings when buying windows and glazed doors: the R-value and the overall U-factor. An R-value measures a material's resistance to heat transfer; the higher the R-value, the better the insulating properties of the glazing. The U-factor measures overall energy-efficiency. It tells you the rate at which heat flows through the entire window, door and frame. The lower the U-factor, the more energy-efficient the window or door.

Insulating glazing typically has two, or sometimes three, panes of glass sealed together with either air or argon gas trapped between them to act as an insulator. Some units have a plastic film suspended between two glass panes. If the unit is properly sealed, condensation shouldn't occur between the panes; sometimes a drying agent (called a desiccant) is used in the spacer (the strip inside the panes, which helps keep them apart) as added insurance against condensation.

Window Glass Options

You'll discover that there are also a number of glass products available for special uses, including safety glass and stained glass. Here's a closer look at both high-performance and specialty glazing:

• Low-Emissive (or low-E) Glass — Low-E glazing has a film applied to one of the glass surfaces or suspended between the panes. This coating or film allows light in, but it prevents some solar rays from being transmitted through the glass. A Low-E coating can help keep your home cool on a hot day by blocking longer-wave radiant heat from entering. On a cold day it can prevent the radiant interior heat from escaping through the glass. Tinted Glass — Usually given either a bronze or gray cast, tinted glass reduces glare and limits the amount of light and heat from the sun (solar gain) in your home.
• Safety Glass — Safety glass is a good choice if there's any risk of a person walking through a window. Tempered glass is heat-treated during the manufacturing process and crumbles if broken rather than shattering. Laminated glass has a film of plastic that holds the glass together if broken.

Storm Windows

Storm windows are an economical way to increase the energy efficiency of single-pane windows. Storm windows reduce the flow of outside air into the home. The space between the storm window and the existing window acts as added insulation. Storm windows are usually mounted to the outside of your home’s primary windows.

(According to the DIYNetwork.com)

Types of Windows

There are several different types of windows. Traditionally, most windows were side-hinged windows, referred to as casements, and sliding sash windows. New opening mechanisms such as friction and pivot hinges are increasingly popular. Window materials, shapes, and sizes vary considerably, as does terminology, so you should read your manufacturer's literature carefully. Replacement windows for older homes often need to be custom-built to your requirements.

Commonly, the material and mechanism of a replacement window is chosen to match the originals. There are some exceptions-new sash windows, for example, will often be equipped with modern spiral balances, although they look the same as original lead counterweight versions. If you are replacing all the windows in your property, or building a new home, then take time to consider energy-efficient products such as double and even triple glazing. Frames may have a sill attached, an optional sill, or none at all. If your old frame has a sill attached, make sure your replacement has one.

Window Materials

Most styles of windows are available in a number of different materials. Each material has advantages and disadvantages in terms of maintenance and appearance.

Wood

Windows were traditionally made of wood, and it is still popular because it is so versatile. If old windows are drafty, you can install weather stripping. Hardwood is expensive, but is durable and only needs the protection of oil. You can also paint hardwood windows or give them a natural finish. Softwood windows need to be protected by paint or a natural wood finish, and regularly maintained.

Vinyl

Double-glazed, vinyl windows offer excellent heat and sound insulation. Old windows are often replaced throughout a house by new vinyl windows. In addition to white, other finishes are available, such as wood-grain. Vinyl requires little maintenance.

Aluminum

Where maximum light is required, aluminum windows can be an excellent option-the strength of aluminum means a thin frame can support a large expanse of glass. However, aluminum conducts heat out of the home and is prone to condensation. Double-glazing may be required by building regulations to reduce heat loss. Old aluminum windows were prone to rust, but modern versions are coated during manufacturing and are durable and low-maintenance.

Other Materials

Windows can be made from a combination of materials. Aluminum windows, for example, often have a wooden core, and steel casements can be housed in wooden frames to reduce heat loss. Frames with decorative real wood on the inside, and maintenance-free fiberglass or vinyl exteriors are also available. Traditional lead lights are made up of small pieces of glass held between strips of lead within a wood frame. Other types of windows are available with lead-light-effect double-glazing.

Casement Windows
As well as metal casement windows, vinyl casements, seen here, and wood casements are also common.
Parts of a Casement Window

Casement windows are widely used. Many of the terms used to describe the parts that make up a casement window also apply to other windows.

The window is made up of one or more opening casements, hinged along one side. Top-hung and side-hung casements are available.

Wooden Casement Window
In this example, a glazing bar divides glass in the same casement

Double-Hung Window
A distinctive, traditional design with two vertically sliding sashes. Modern sashes are made of wood or vinyl, and some versions allow tilting of sashes for easy cleaning. In this example, the top sash slides down, and the bottom sash slides up.

Building Regulations
Check with the local building code department before replacing any windows. New windows may be subject to energy regulations or emergency escape and rescue requirements.

If you are working on a historic building, you must check with the local building department and/or the historical preservation board before replacing any windows.

Custom Casement Screened Window
Custom windows offer you a selection of sizes and styles that can meet any needs. When you order custom windows, you have options to include special glass, lites, or other features like this window screen.

In this custom window, the side swings out, and the screen fabric rolls down.

Grilles and Divided Lites
Windows divided with smaller panes were historically easier and much more affordable to produce than large sheets of clear glass. Today, even though technology allows us to create larger panes of glass that are much less expensive, the traditional look has become very popular. The smaller panes of glass in a window are called divided lites. They are separated by strips of wood called grilles. True divided lite windows are manufactured in the traditional method with a solid wood frame broken into shapes with wood strips.

Historic Style
Grilles are a popular choice on newer homes' windows. Adding a touch of historic style, grilles are offered in the same material as your window frame. Some manufacturers offer removable grilles.

Removing or Adding Grilles
If you would like the look of a divided lite window, but are not concerned about having true divided lites, manufacturers offer detachable grilles. These provide the same look as the true divided windows, but are available at a lower cost. With detachable grilles you also have the option of removing them and cleaning behind the grilles when necessary.

Awning Window
Butt hinges are used along the top edge of older designs; newer awning windows use friction hinges at either end of the top edge. Both arrangements allow the bottom edge of the window to swing open.

Choosing the type of window for your home may seem like the most important part in the process of replacing your windows, but making sure you understand all of the operating and maintenance directions is even more important. For example, awning windows are designed to open to only about 45 degrees. And, wood windows that are installed unfinished should be painted or stained as soon as possible to protect them from wear and weather. Finishing windows seals wood from UV rays, preventing them from turning a gray color.

Finish your wood windows with the appropriate outdoor wood sealer that your manufacturer recommends. Always use a water-repellent preservative and do not use caustic or abrasive cleaners. Make sure to caulk between the window and the wall opening after installation. Learn how to properly open every type of window installed, and the recommended ways to clean the glass of the exterior parts of the window to protect your investment in your home. If there are any accessories with your windows, make sure you know how to care for each of them.