Different Window Types

Without windows, our homes would be dim and dreary places. Windows open up our spaces, filling them with light and air while still protecting us from pests and sheltering us from weather. That’s a big job, and yet many people hardly notice their windows –it’s often as if we stare right through them!

Jokes aside, windows come in many different styles and configurations, each with its own pros and cons. Figuring out the right windows for your home doesn’t have to be a pane though, especially if you can clearly see what your options are.

Just as the name would suggest, fixed windows don’t open to let in air, instead they are sealed in place. Often, large windows are fixed windows, to avoid the difficult logistics of opening and closing large and heavy glass efficiently and securely. Fixed windows offer more home security than windows that open but because they don’t circulate air, they are best reserved for locations in the house where they won’t trap excessive heat in a room. Fixed windows have other advantages – because they are sealed in place they do a great job at keeping the elements out of your home.

Hung windows involve two sashes and have a vertical “up and down” sliding track that opens or closes them. A single-hung window involves a stationary upper sash and a sliding lower sash that can be raised to let in air. Hung windows are a great choice for the general space management of your home – you don’t have to worry about leaving space clear for a window to swing open into. However, hung windows are often less energy efficient than other window styles, more prone to drafts and warping.

Double hung windows are very similar to single hung windows, but involve two moving sashes instead of one. Instead of just opening from the bottom, the top sash of a double hung window can be lowered letting the upper half of a window let in air. The flexibility to open the top half of a window instead of the bottom is often a great safety precaution to have for homes with pets or children.

Casement windows involve a rotating panel that can be opened outward with a small turning crank. Casement windows are mechanically sturdy and tight sealing, especially in comparison to the seal on hung windows. Casement windows do need clearance in order to open and close properly.

Sliding windows operate with much the same mechanics as hung windows, but slide horizontally along a track, instead of vertically. Sliding windows don’t have gravity pulling the window shut, which can happen in older hung windows. Sliding windows are convenient and easy to operate. Energy-wise, sliding windows have some of the same air leak issues that hung windows do. They are also harder to secure than casement windows. Sliding windows are a good option for emergency preparedness though, as they can act as an extra home exit when they are wide enough and low to the ground.

Bay windows, sometimes also referred to as bow windows, are a slight projection from a room creating an alcove of extra space and natural light. Often, Bay windows are built around a large stationary central window. Two narrower windows flank the sides – sometimes these smaller windows are stationary, but more often they utilize casement or single hung window settings to let in extra air.

Often, the space above a window or door is enlivened with a small additional window resting above it. These upper windows are referred to as transom windows and can be fixed windows or be hinged to open and let in air as well as light. Transom windows can be an elegant detail in a home and can create more natural light spaciousness in a room.

If you have windows -and we’re pretty sure you do- you need to bring CC Sunscreens into your life. CC Sunscreens creates stylish, energy-saving custom sunscreens to protect your home from heat and keep you comfortable year round. Custom sunscreens are an attractive way to lower your energy bill and fill your home with natural comfort. Here in Arizona, it’s time to beat the heat, so if you’re looking for a greener, cleaner way to cool your home, give us a call today!