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25 Types of Windows for Your Home

An introduction to windows: types of windows and their functionalities. Most homes require windows for ventilation and to insert much-needed light. A number of windows can be used to accommodate both needs. With all of the window design options, it can be hard to know which type of window is best for your needs.

There are many different types of windows that you can choose from, including traditional wood windows or vinyl windows that will last longer than wood but cost more. You should choose windows according to your needs, and the climate and the number of people living in your home. The design, glass material, and glass thickness are all important considerations. Which types are best for your home? What are the different types? Read on to find out.

1. Arched Windows

Arched windows on a building facade.

The rounded tops of arched windows are an attractive architectural feature in any building. Arched windows, unlike regular windows, usually don’t open or close, and they’re usually placed above the ventilating windows. Some can swing open like a casement window. They can be set up in a multi-arched construction with regular panes of glass on the sides and curved arches on the top.

2. Awning Windows

Facade of a white building with a repetitive pattern of opened dark-framed sash windows and exterior shutters.

Awning windows are great for rainy areas since they translate as a waterproof awning when opened. They open by swinging outward when the latch or lever is pressed. This makes them resistant to the elements and simple to maintain.

3. Bay Windows

Bay Window

The allure of the outdoors may be appreciated from the comfort of your living room or kitchen thanks to the inclusion of a bay window. They project outward from the wall to provide a compact shelf inside the house. They rely on built; horizontal pane windows fitted into angled frames.

Bay windows are more expensive to install since they are bigger and typically require the help of a professional. There is one large window in the middle, and two smaller windows on either side, tilted at an inclination of 30 to 40 degrees. You may get double hung or casement windows put in on the sides for air flow.

4. Bow Windows

A sunlit historical room with a casement bay window and an informational easel entitled "great chamber.

Bow windows are a type of curving window that extends outward from the wall of a house to provide a broader perspective of the outside. A curved bow window can be more expensive to install than a standard bay window, and the difference depends on the number of window panels used to produce the rounded shape.

A bow window, often called a compass window, is a group of four to six windows that project outward from a wall. These apertures may have both stationary central panes and operable end apertures.

5. Casement Windows

Casement windows providing a clear and unobstructed view

To open, casement windows can swing to the side or hinge upward. The window can be made of solid glass, offering an unobstructed view. Two casement panels, one on each side, are standard for these windows. Due to its ability to provide unobstructed views of the outside, casement windows have become a popular fixture in contemporary architecture. Whether over the kitchen sink, in the lounge, or the study, a casement window frames the setting well. Our casement windows at Window Replacement Group® offer the added benefit of being made with impact glass to protect you from storms and intruders.

6. Clerestory Windows

Modern living room with wooden walls, elevated ceiling with bay windows, and contemporary furnishings.

In order to let more light into a room, any fenestrated (windowed) wall that extends over the surrounding roofs is called a clerestory window.  This way of illuminating otherwise enclosed, windowless spaces becomes necessary in large buildings where the inner walls are far from the structure’s external walls. When one room in a building has a higher ceiling than the others, clerestory windows are installed. These windows have shutters that may be opened and closed by use of a rope and pulley system. In addition to adding to a structure’s aesthetic value, they also serve to protect it.

7. Dormer Windows

Dormer Window

Dormers are roofed additions that stick out vertically from the plane of a pitched roof and are often fitted with a window.  Dormer windows are a type of roof window. If your roof has a steep pitch, you may make use of dormer windows.

8. Double Hung Windows

double-hung windows

The top and lower sash of a double-hung window may slide up and down and typically tilt out for simple cleaning and maintenance, making it comparable to a single-hung window in appearance. They are the most popular type of replacement window, and you can get them in a wide variety of sizes and materials from many reputable manufacturers, as well as in custom configurations to suit your specific needs. One factor that might affect window frame price is the material used to create the frame. It’s more expensive to install a double hung wood window than it would be to install a vinyl one.

9. Egress Windows

Egress Window

The primary purpose of an egress window is safety. In the case of a fire or other emergency when you can’t use the doors, these windows can serve as an alternative escape route. One common location for egress windows is the basement. To comply with local building codes, an egress window may be mandatory in some areas. They might need a hole dug in order to be installed appropriately.

10. Gable Windows

Gable Window

The gable is the section of a wall that encloses the maximum height of a pitched roof. To allow greater light into rooms on upper floors, gable windows are shaped to mimic the slope of the roof. Since most roofs have a triangle pitch, adding windows there may let in a lot of natural light and make the area feel larger than it is.

11.Garden Windows

Garden Window

A garden window is a little bay window designed specifically for growing plants. Named so because they extend like little greenhouses into the inside of a building, they serve a useful purpose. Plants and herbs may be displayed on the small shelves to attract wildlife and attract beneficial insects while also allowing natural light to enter the space. Space in a room may be maximized with the installation of garden windows. Installing them in the kitchen or living room allows you to give your plants some fresh air.

12. Glass Block Windows

Glass Block Window

Typically used as a decorative accent and to let in more natural light, glass block windows are installed in a specific room or area of the house. Frosted or decorated with a pattern, glass block windows let in light while maintaining privacy. They should be used in places where privacy is paramount, such as in the bathroom or the cellar.

Security is another advantage of glass block windows due to their solid construction from thick blocks of glass. Additionally, they can assist you in sealing your basement to effectively keep out moisture.

13. Hopper Windows

Hopper Window

If you need to install a new window but have limited wall space, a hopper window is your best option. They typically have a top opening that cranks open to a downward tip. As a result of their ability to make the most out of limited space, they are frequently installed in lavatories and basements. Basement hopper windows, in contrast to egress windows, are typically used for ventilation rather than emergency exiting due to their smaller size.

14. Jalousie Windows

Jalousie Window

Jalousie windows are one-of-a-kind in that they can be opened to reveal multiple metal or glass slats. These windows operate much like a set of vertical or horizontal blinds. To let air flow through, simply crank the lever to tilt the slats in the desired direction. Popular in coastal locations because to their increased airflow, they are perfect for letting in a refreshing breeze on a mild day.

15. Lantern Windows

Modern skylight with geometric design on a white ceiling, integrating types of windows.

A glass structure that can be found on top of a flat roof is called a roof lantern. They typically take on a pyramidal form to maximize the spread of light. Having a roof lantern installed will allow for an abundance of natural light inside the home. It is important to note that roof lanterns are made for use on flat roofs only.

What’s the difference between roof lanterns and skylights? Although either type of roof can be adapted to suit a specific design scheme, lantern roofs are more commonly associated with older, more traditional homes, and skylights are more commonly used in modern construction.

16. Louvered Windows

Louvered windows with a modern design

A window louver (or Louvre) is a system of parallel, horizontal blades, slats, laths, slips of glass, wood, or other material installed in a window to control ventilation and lighting. Window and door louvers serve the dual purpose of letting in fresh air while blocking out the sun and rain. They can either be moveable or stationary.

A window with louvers can be made of glass or another material. Louvers are installed in a door to allow airflow even when the door is closed. Louvers are a common feature of closet doors. In order to hide or obscure light fixtures, a louvered ceiling features a system of louvers that are lowered below it.

17. Picture Windows

Picture Window

Picture windows are the best way to take in a view, whether it’s a mountain vista or your own beautifully landscaped backyard. Picture windows, unlike operable windows, cannot be opened. They are big windows with no breaks or apparent frames, giving in an uninterrupted and stunning view.

18. Round Circle Windows

Round Circle Window

The round circle windows category includes many interesting shapes, including round, half-round, elliptical, and oval. Round windows in particular are reminiscent of Victorian and Gothic era architecture and are a great way to incorporate this style into your home. When combined with other types of windows, such as picture and transom, half-round windows create a unique and stylish look for any home. Some manufacturers offer round windows that can be opened and closed for ventilation or aesthetic purposes, but this is not the standard.

19. Single Hung Windows

A clean kitchen bay window overlooking a green lawn with trees.

Similar to double-hung windows, single-sash windows only have one movable pane of glass, with the other remaining stationary. The primary distinction between single hung and double hung windows is the operation of these sashes.

20. Skylight Windows

Skylight WIndow

A skylight window is a great choice if you want to let in more natural light but have few options for window placement in the exterior walls of your home. Simply put, it’s a window that goes in the roof and it’s installed like a vent.  Electric skylight windows can be installed in a home so that the homeowner does not need to manually open and close the window. One can use the windows as an emergency exit if necessary.

21. Sliding Windows

Sliding Window
When you have a lengthy wall, sliding windows are the way to go. They are made up of two separate parts, or sashes, and one of these parts moves horizontally over the top of the other in order to open and close the window. Sliding aluminum windows are a stylish, functional, and cost-effective addition to any contemporary construction project. They are a beautiful and practical addition to any building, whether residential or commercial, high-rise or ground-level. Sliding windows are popular because they take up little visual real estate, or because operable sashes would be too bulky for the available wall space. The sliding window unit can be installed in an enclosure or storefront alongside other sliding or folding doors and fixed pane windows without disrupting the aesthetics of the overall structure.

22. Specialty Windows

Specialty Window

Radius units, or arch topped windows, are a variant of the hung window that features a rounded apex. Hung windows in the cottage style have a smaller upper sash and a larger lower sash.

In addition to the standard square and rectangle, we can also make ovals, circles, and trapezoids to complement your home’s unique architecture and interior decor. Windows built into non-rectangular shapes are typically fixed, but some can be made operable by modifying the engineering. Glass with a specific tint, color, pattern, or intricate craftsmanship can greatly improve the overall look.

23. Storm Windows

Storm Window

Storm windows are extra external panes that fit into your existing window casings. They are commonly used in hurricane-prone coastal locations and other places with frequent severe weather. When the cold weather sets in, storm windows provide an extra layer of protection against drafts and heat loss. Also, they work wonderfully in places where bad weather is common.

24. Tilt-Turn Windows

Tilt-Turn Window

Tilt-turn windows, another European-style window design, are double-action windows that can be opened in two ways. The window can be opened in-swing-style with a single turn of the handle or tilted inward with the opposite motion. Industry professionals refer to bottom-hinged, top-opening windows as “hopper” windows.

Tilt-turn windows prevent exterior clutter by always projecting inward, but they require careful consideration when designing the interior. Room by room and floor by floor, windows and glass can be customized to the specific environmental and thermal demands of the building. Well-sealed windows not only prevent the penetration of rain and wind, but they also enhance the acoustic performance of the building.

25. Transom Windows

Transom Window

Transom windows are a type of decorative accent window that can be used to divide a room or to create a focal point in interior design. These decorative windows sit on top of doors and, in some cases, other windows in high-end residences. Although they most often take the form of a semicircle, they can also be square or rectangular. Transom windows can also be installed around other kinds of windows to draw attention to them and make for interesting architectural details. The windows can be installed on the interior or exterior of a building to let in more natural light.

Contact us for help choosing the perfect windows for your home or business.

Different types of windows can be useful for both practical and aesthetically pleasing reasons. Our Jupiter team provides numerous different types of replacement windows, each in a variety of sizes. There are also vinyl, aluminum, and wood-clad construction options. Frames and glass are also available in a range of colors, depending on the product line. Contact our Jupiter team now for personalized new or replacement windows!

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