Thursday, August 02, 2012

Types of Window Styles

Check Out All the Types of Windows to Choose From Before Deciding Upon One for Your Home Construction Project

By Mark J. Donovan

Though the double hung window maybe arguably the most popular window style today there are still many other window styles you should consider when building your new home or home addition.

Double Hung Window
A double hung window consists of two vertical panels that both can be moved up or down. The double hung window is one of the most popular windows installed today due to its flexibility in window panel opening.

Single Hung Window
The single hung window is akin to the double hung window, however only the bottom panel moves. The top window panel is fixed.

Casement Windows
Casement windows are still fairly popular. They normally come in either single or pairs, and one or both panels are hinged and can be opened via a crank located most commonly near the bottom of the window.

Fixed Windows
Fixed windows come in all shapes and sizes including circles, squares, triangles, and trapezoids. They are ideal for letting in natural light without the hardware concerns common with other windows. They are often used as accent pieces for both the inside and outside of the home.

Bay Windows
Bay windows are still very popular in homes today. They are often used in large rooms such as in family rooms, dining rooms, and living rooms. Due to their large size and two dimensional shape, they allow much more light to enter a home all throughout the day. Often bay windows have a fixed panel in the center and either double or single hung windows on the sides.

Bow Windows
Bow windows are akin to bay windows in the sense that they let much more light in throughout the entire day. They typically utilize more glass panels to achieve the curved or bow look.

Jalousie Windows
Jalousie windows consist of many thin strips of glass stacked vertically upon one another and that are louvered. They can be cranked opened or closed, similar to a venetian blind. Often they are used in three season rooms or porches.

Awning Windows
Awning widows are single panel windows that are hinged at the top of the window frame. The window can be pushed or cranked open at its base. They are ideal for allowing air to enter a home even on rainy days. Due to the fact that they are hinged at the top of the window, no rain can enter into the home.

Sliding Sash Windows

With sliding sash windows the window panels slide open horizontally. One or more panels can be designed to slide along a track. They are ideal for smaller rooms or in kitchens where it may difficult to open another window type.

So before choosing the ubiquitous double hung window for your new custom home or home addition project take a closer look at all the other window types out there on the market.