We hope this survey of window types will help you make the right choices for your home remodel.
Windows are an essential consideration to maximize curb appeal and add character for a home’s exterior. But they also must satisfy the everyday needs of the people living inside. So keep both functions in mind when choosing windows for your home remodel.
Window Types: Casement
Casement windows have long been a traditional window style in American home building.
Also known as crank windows for the method used to open them, they swing in or out, attached to the frame by one or more side hinges.
Casement windows can have a tighter seal when locked than double-hung windows.
Popular for:
Kitchens, home offices, bathrooms.
Pros
- Easy to open and close.
- Weathertight, energy-efficient seal.
- Promote great airflow.
Cons
- Mechanical parts may wear or break.
- Prone to damage if left open in bad weather.
- Not suitable for window air conditioning units.
Double-Hung or Single-Hung Windows
Double-hung windows are the most common windows we install in remodeling projects. A double-hung window has two sliding sashes. The bottom panel opens by sliding the sash up, while the top panel opens by sliding the sash down.
The top and bottom sashes fit snugly into the window frame, helping to limit air infiltration into your home.
Double-hung windows are ideal for families, as they’re a safer choice for homeowners with children or pets. You can open the upper sash for necessary venting and close the bottom sash to prevent accidental falls.
Popular for:
Second-story spaces, living rooms, bedrooms.
Pros
- Offer great ventilation.
- Widespread retail offerings.
- Cost-effective.
Cons
- May develop slipping problems.
- Require more physical effort to open or close.
- Seal isn’t weathertight.
Picture Windows
Picture windows are great for providing lots of natural light and unobstructed views of the outdoors. These large square or rectangular windows are a popular option for showcasing spectacular views, such as a lake, mountain, or woods.
As permanent, unmoving windows, they offer a weathertight seal and a lower cost than mechanical windows.
However, picture windows provide no airflow, so make sure the room has other sources of ventilation.
Also, picture windows aren’t always energy efficient. The heat from inside the home may escape during cooler months, while sunlight may overheat the interior space in warmer months.
Popular for:
Living rooms, bedrooms, home offices.
Pros
- Deliver an unobstructed view.
- Less expensive than mechanical windows.
- Weathertight seal.
Cons
- Outside can be hard to clean.
- May be an energy drain.
- No airflow or ventilation.
Bay Windows
Bay windows are generally three separate adjacent windows that extend outward from the wall of a home. This window provides a wider-angle view of the outdoors than a picture window alone. Also, it can provide direct sunlight during more hours of the day.
They are often the visual centerpiece of living rooms, family rooms, and parlors. Usually, the center window is a larger picture window, while the two on each side are casement or single- or double-hung windows.
Bow window
A bow window usually features more than three window surfaces, producing more of an arch shape. Unlike bay windows, all the windows are identical. Due to their complexity, they can be expensive to install.
Popular for:
Kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms.
Pros
- Architecturally interesting.
- Allow a lot of natural light.
- Can add square footage inside a home.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Require skilled installation.
- May block walkways or exterior space.
Sliding Windows
Sliding windows are structurally similar to single- or double-hung windows. But their horizontal orientation doesn’t have to overcome gravity.
Two side-by-side pieces of glass slide horizontally along the top and bottom tracks. In some varieties, only one panel slides.
Popular for:
Kitchens, living rooms.
Pros
- Among the least expensive windows to install.
- Good options for egress windows.
- Easy to operate and durable.
Cons
- May stick over time.
- Cleaning the outside is challenging.
- Center frame obstructs views.
Awning Windows
Awning windows use a crank mechanism to open, similar to casement windows. But awning windows open up from the bottom.
These windows get their name from the awning-like protection they provide when open. This makes them good options if you like to keep your windows open during rainfall.
Popular for:
Bathrooms, hallways, kitchens.
Pros
- Can remain open during rainfall.
- Quite airtight and secure.
- Easy to open and close.
Cons
- Mechanical parts may wear or break.
- Prone to damage if left open in elements.
- May obstruct exterior spaces.
Decorative Glass Windows
Available in a variety of styles from stained glass to glass blocks, decorative glass windows are generally stationary. They provide light to the inside while also offering privacy and visual appeal.
Although they offer natural light to the interior, decorative glass windows are not the way to go if you want an exterior view.
Glass block windows
Glass block windows are produced with blocks that are mortared in place. The thick blocks are usually semi-opaque glass that allow light to enter the room while distorting the view. So glass block windows are standard in places of high privacy, like bathrooms.
Stained glass windows
With different colors and designs to choose from—such as abstract or pictorial—stained glass windows allow light to pass into your house through a tinted color window pane. They are works of art in and of themselves!
Popular for:
Bathrooms, laundry rooms, entryways.
Pros
- Offer light and privacy.
- Can complement historical homes.
- Weathertight.
Cons
- No view of the outside.
- May seem dated.
- Thinner panes are not energy efficient.
Skylights and Roof Windows
Installed in the roofline, skylights and roof windows provide much-needed light for cramped spaces of the home like upstairs and in the attic.
- Skylights are usually fixed and installed in a roofline.
- Roof windows open and close for ventilation, using a hinge like a casement or awning window.
Popular for:
Attics, bathrooms, laundry rooms, hallways
Pros
- Provide natural light to dark or interior spaces.
- Can help with interior solar heating.
- Aesthetically appealing.
Cons
- Susceptible to damage from hail, other elements.
- Improper sealing can result in leaks.
- Challenging to clean.
- Can be challenging to open.
Tilt-Turn Windows
Tilt-turn windows allow you to either tilt them outward or inward for ventilation, or turn them similar to a casement window. These windows are common in Europe, but have also made their way into many Milwaukee home remodels. Tilt-turn windows fit snugly into the frame, and the vinyl frame is an excellent insulator. Because they can be used as a vent, you can leave tilt-turn windows open without sacrificing security.
When you’re ready to discuss windows for your home remodeling project, contact us at LaBonte Construction, voted Best of Milwaukee 2022 in Home Remodeling by Shepherd Express readers.
We also were voted best in the Basement/Rec Room Remodeler, Bathroom Remodeler, and Kitchen Remodeler categories.