Home replacement window styles

Window manufacturers provide different styles of home replacement windows and an assortment of patterns, depending on what you’re looking for. Here are the most common styles of windows available.

Double-hung windows are a common sight in traditional homes. The windows are stacked with an upper outside and a lower inside pane, and they open when one slides in front of or behind the other. Modern double-hung windows tilt inward or can be removed completely for cleaning. They provide good ventilation when open, and good protection against air leakage if sealed tightly. Single-hung windows have a similar design to double-hung, except the top half is sealed shut, allowing you to open just the bottom sash.

Double-hung windows have a reputation for being heavy, but that’s no longer true. While older versions feature heavy weight-and-pulley systems, often with lead weights, modern designs use lighter spring-tension devices or friction mechanisms.

Casement windows swing open like a door, using a crank mechanism located at the top or side of the window. They offer wider views and more light than double-hung windows do. Casements also provide good ventilation and a tight seal when closed, making them particularly effective during powerful winds. The wide-open design doesn’t lend itself well to privacy, however, so you’ll need to hang up blinds, curtains, or shades when these windows are not in use. Casements also work better in tight spaces that can’t accommodate double-hung windows.

A bay window sticks out from the wall plane and is typically made up of one center window with two smaller windows on either side, at an angle. Box bays, a variation of bay windows, feature side windows attached at a 90-degree angle. For smoother angles, bow windows involve three or more sections connecting to form a gentle curve where the center window is fixed, and the sides open similarly to casements.

Sliding windows (or gliding windows or sliders) are another popular style, because they’re inexpensive and easy to clean. They’re similar to double-hung windows, but instead are opened by sliding the sash horizontally on a track. With sliders, one side of the window is stationary, which helps seal in energy, but they don’t provide as much ventilation as casement windows.

Awning-style windows (or hoppers) feature a crank mechanism that allows you to open them from the top or bottom. This type of window provides good ventilation, a clear view, and good security for your home, and is best suited to multifamily houses or schools.

Skylight windows are the best option for brightening up dark rooms with natural light and maintaining comfortable temperatures. They’re typically installed in your ceilings where they protrude from the surface. Skylights are available in square, rectangular, or bubble-shaped designs to match the style of your home. Installing skylights can involve the most work as the installer must factor in the slope and style of your roof, as well as the size of the window you need.

Other styles of home replacement windows

• Tilt-turn windows feature a European design and work by tilting the top in toward the room, allowing you to shift the glass 180 degrees for easy cleaning.
Tilt-turn styles typically feature multipoint locking systems for top security and a tight seal.
• Oriel windows are similar to bays and bows, but are much smaller and are supported by brackets or beams. A garden window is a common example of the oriel style.
• The Palladian style refers to multiple windows arranged in a pattern. This pattern usually features one double-hung window on each side of a larger window adorned with a semicircular window on top.
• Fixed-pane styles are permanently closed windows with strong, sealed edges to protect against air infiltration. These provide no ventilation and are very difficult to clean.
• Rotating windows pivot around a central point and open from the sides or at the top and bottom. They provide an unobstructed view when opened and offer good ventilation.
• Windowscapes feature entire walls made of windows. This style is typically found in beach houses and greenhouses.
• Jalousie window panes offer visually appealing design with overlapping glass louvers that open and close like shutters, using a crank or turnscrew. While jalousie windows offer good ventilation and visibility, they don’t form an airtight seal. Also, some local building codes forbid jalousie windows because they lack security and energy efficiency.