Realistically, most of the common types of windows could work well in most areas of a house. But when you know the benefits of each one, finding the right replacement windows for your unique home becomes a much easier task. Learn about the different window types below and why many homeowners choose to install them in certain areas of their homes.
Double Hung Windows
One of the most popular replacement window types, double hung windows have mobile upper and lower sashes, allowing you to open the window from the top or bottom. Some double hung windows can even be tilted inwards or removed for easier cleaning. Homeowners choose to install these windows all over their home from dining rooms, bedrooms, and living rooms to kitchens. With seemingly endless options to customize and complement any home perfectly, it is no wonder why double hung are so often chosen by homeowners.
BENEFITS OF DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS
- Timeless Style: These windows provide a classic look that is becoming increasingly popular. Accented with shutters or a traditional exterior, they add a classic curb appeal to the home.
- Easy Cleaning: On many double hung windows, the sash will tilt in for easy cleaning, making window maintenance a breeze. Rather than going outside to clean the exterior of the windows, you can clean everything while staying inside.
- Great Air Flow: With the ability to open the top and bottom parts of the window, you can vent air and odors out of rooms like the bathroom and kitchen as well as allow fresh air into your home.
Picture Windows
Picture windows frame a beautiful view of the outdoors and excel at letting natural light into the home. These windows are fixed within a space, so they can’t be opened or closed. They’re often found in living rooms, kitchens, or master bedrooms. Picture windows are sometimes combined with other styles, such as casement and double-hung, so you can enjoy both light and ventilation.
BENEFITS OF PICTURE WINDOWS
- Lower Costs and Less Breakage: Picture windows are fixed, so there are no mechanical parts, making both the initial cost and the cost of ownership lower than windows with moving parts, which may need to be replaced.
- Highly Energy Efficient: When properly installed, picture windows are highly energy efficient since air cannot leak in between the sashes or through other gaps.
- Customize the look: With many different size options, picture windows can fit in any opening to meet the needs of your unique home with distinctive designs.
Transom Windows
Transom windows have stood the test of time as a classic architectural element, adding beauty to homes since the 14th century. They are one of the most appealing options for many homeowners and serve as an accent above a main window or door, bringing more curb appeal to the home. Transom windows can be paired with any window style and look especially decorative when placed above interior doors. When done right, they can allow natural light to enter while being high enough to maintain privacy.
BENEFITS OF TRANSOM WINDOWS
- Aesthetics: The primary reason for choosing a transom window is its aesthetics. Enjoy the architectural detail of a transom with leaded, stained, or etched glass. These windows are a great decorative addition to boost your home’s curb appeal.
- More natural light without sacrificing privacy: Transom windows are most commonly placed above your sight line and left uncovered to allow more natural light to illuminate your home. You can also install transom windows above interior doors to help natural light reach the center of your home.
- Versatile: Transoms can complement many different window and door styles to add a unique look to your home.
Slider Windows
Slider windows are a unique option for homeowners looking for a clear, unobstructed view. Unlike most other types of windows, sliders open horizontally instead of vertically. Slider windows are a good choice in a space where the width is longer than the height, such as rooms facing walkways, porches, or patios. Like casement windows, they are good at providing ventilation, though only half the window can open at a time. Slider windows can add a contemporary style to your home and are available in a wide variety of colors, styles, materials, and finishes.
BENEFITS OF SLIDER WINDOWS
- Unobstructed view: Slider windows are often much wider than double-hung windows and provide a more natural view of the outside world. A larger window allows for increased natural light and greater ventilation.
- Easy to operate: Usually slider windows have one side that slides on rollers while the other pane of glass remains stationary. As long it’s well maintained, the window can open with a finger push, which works great in hard to reach places.
- Durable: Even in well maintained windows, springs and pulleys will eventually fail. Slider windows don’t have all of these components, and with less pieces there is less of a chance something will go wrong.
Bay & Bow Windows
Bay windows are beautifully designed to provide more living space, making your house feel larger without building out an addition. A bay window is made up of a large center window with two smaller windows on each side. The middle window is usually fixed like a picture window, while the side windows are casement or double-hung to provide ventilation. Bay windows protrude farther from the wall out into the exterior space, adding more floor space to your interior.
Bow windows are like bay windows, except they have four or five openings instead of three. Their curved structure creates a rounded appearance on the outside of your home. Bow windows allow extra light to enter the room since they have more glass panes than bay windows. They can wrap around the corner of a building to form a unique shape on the outside and an enticing nook on the inside. Bow windows allow for a view from two sides of the home and also gives extra space inside your room.
BENEFITS OF BAY & BOW WINDOWS
- Extra Space: Bay and bow windows are a functional option that adds extra space and dimension to your home. They can serve as a cozy lounging space or an additional storage area.
- More Natural Light: Bay and bow windows are three, four, or five-in-one, so they allow more natural light into the home. The angled side windows provide light from all directions.
- Better View: More window panes give an enhanced, panoramic view of your landscape.
- Added window seat: These windows can have a built-in seat at the base, which could be used for storage, a reading area, or enjoying the view. This is a great place to store toys in a bedroom or blankets/pillows in a living room.
Hopper Windows
Hopper windows hinge open at the bottom, tilting inside when opened. They are usually installed in a bathroom for privacy or near the basement ceiling for practical reasons. They tilt upward when open, blocking dirt and debris from getting inside the home. Usually opened with a crank or hinge, hopper windows are a great option to bring light into partially underground spaces while allowing for easy ventilation.
BENEFITS OF HOPPER WINDOWS
- Bring Light to the Basement: Hopper windows are a great way to bring light into otherwise dark basements as they fit well and look great near the ceiling.
- Ventilation: Basements can get stuffy and musty. Hopper windows can create wonderful ventilation to help air out your space.
- Size: Usually short and wide, these windows fit perfectly into tight spaces such as small bathrooms or into foundation walls.
For over 30 years, Brothers Services has offered high-quality window replacements for thousands of Maryland homeowners. Our skilled team has experience working with a variety of different window styles, shapes, and sizes. We follow an efficient installation process that allows us to finish in most cases as quickly as a day without sacrificing quality.
From simple, double-hung windows to complex bay windows, Brothers Services has the team and tools to get the job done right. If you are considering a window replacement, schedule a no-pressure consultation with one of our window experts today.
