Different Window Styles You Should Consider for Your Home

One of the most important features of any home is the windows.

Since windows allow natural light into your home’s interior and provide views to the outside, each window must be tight, secure, and fully insulating. It is also important for windows to be appealing from an aesthetic standpoint.

Fortunately, today’s latest window designs offer a range of different stylistic options.

If you are looking for a new style of window, you should consider the size of your room and the style and age of your home. Certain styles are better suited to either small or large homes. Likewise, some windows are more appropriate for homes built in a particular era. Consider these factors as you read about the following types of window styles.

1. Casement Windows

Unlike the more conventional window styles that feature lifting or sliding sashes, casement windows consist of one or two vertical-column sashes that open like doors. A casement window hinges to the frame on one side and opens inward along the other side, extending to about 90 degrees when fully open. Casement windows are convenient for a homeowner who enjoys a natural breeze through their home.

In terms of design, casement windows range from above-ground to wall-length. Casement frames come in a variety of colors and materials. This style is common for modern homes, especially those situated in the countryside.

One of the most appealing features of the casement window is its ease of use. A casement window is easier to open than a single- or double-hung window because there is no lifting required. Casement windows open easily with virtually no physical exertion through the use of cranks.

Casement windows are also convenient for dining rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. This style is especially appropriate for walls that face the backyard of a house, as they are typically more difficult to open from the outside and can therefore complement the security of your home.

2. Awning Windows

Awning windows earn their name from their unique opening mechanism. This style opens with hinges in a similar fashion to a casement window. The biggest difference between the two is that awning windows open upward rather than outward. The hinge is at the top, so the window acts as an awning, blocking rain and other debris from entering the window while it is open. This design is optimal for a rainy climate, as windows can be opened during a storm if desired.

This style of window is rectangular, with a longer width than height. An awning window opens completely for optimal views and maximum ventilation. This design is perfect for a bathroom to let out steam from the shower or above a kitchen sink to let out smoke from a burnt piece of toast. Awning windows can also be placed at a higher point on the wall to let in radiant light while maintaining privacy in a cozy bedroom setting.

3. Arched Windows

The arched window is a decorative style characterized by a rounded top and a flat bottom. Arched windows are typically situated above conventional square- and column-shaped window sets, such as single-hung windows. The primary purpose of an arched window is to enhance the natural light inside a home’s living quarters.

The arched window is a decorative style characterized by a rounded top and a flat bottom. Arched windows are typically situated above conventional square- and column-shaped window sets, such as single-hung windows. The primary purpose of an arched window is to enhance the natural light inside a home’s living quarters.

Stylistically, arched windows provide an old-world charm that especially suits luxury homes and country estates. From an outside perspective, arched windows enhance the look and appeal of a home’s facade. Arched windows are an ideal choice if you want to add more sunlight to your living areas. The style works on all floors and is especially suited for rooms with high ceilings.

Due to their shape, conventional arched windows are fixed windows, meaning that they do not open and are primarily designed for aesthetic purposes. However, certain window assemblies have an arched upper sash attached to a hinged, vertical window column that can open like a casement window. At Homespire Windows and Doors, we offer arched single-hung windows that can be opened easily to let in the fresh air. This style of window combines beauty and functionality in one.

For a decorative accent, arched windows usually feature grids. On some designs, the grids are vertical and horizontal. On other designs, the grids are placed at angles that divide the half-circle into pie slices. Arched windows that attach to casement panes will often feature a rounded inner-grid connecting the middle-grids on the two underlying vertical panes.

 

4. Transom Windows

Often located above the front door or another window, the transom window serves a decorative purpose to add character to your home. They come in many different styles of windows, like a row of small transparent squares or a semi-circle formed by several triangular slices. This style can make an impact on curb appeal by creating a focal point above the main entrance of the home. They can also be placed on interior walls for added style and to pass light from one room to another.

You can order a custom transom window design from Homespire to add a vintage charm to your home.

5. Single-Hung Windows

The single-hung window is one of the most basic window designs, and it’s commonly seen in homes throughout the U.S. The design consists of two square-shaped horizontal sashes. To open a single-hung window, you lift the bottom sash vertically from the inside to full or partial suspension, whichever you prefer, in front of the stationary upper sash.

Single-hung windows are common in living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. With its simple design and practical function, the single-hung window is convenient in most living quarters because it can be sealed shut for maximum insulation and open when necessary for ventilation.

These windows offer moderate ventilation during the summer months in homes and buildings situated in reasonable climates. In hotter climates where air conditioners are necessary, a raised single-hung can offer the perfect opening because the unit can be braced down between the window ledge and the open, lower sash. For added ventilation, a single-hung window can be paired with an awning overhead.

Single-hung windows are made with numerous design variations. Some single-hung windows feature grids that divide one or both panes into four, six, eight or nine panels. The frames are usually made of wood, acrylic, or fiberglass material.

6. Double-Hung Windows

The double-hung window is another design commonly featured in homes throughout the U.S., though its functions are more elaborate than the single-hung. The double-hung design features two square-shaped horizontal sashes, which both open. The bottom sash opens the same way as a single-hung, rising in front of the upper sash on the inside. Meanwhile, the upper sash can be lowered, partially or in full, in front of the lower sash on the outside.

Double-hung windows are common in living rooms and are also suitable for kitchens and bedrooms. When closed, the double-hung window offers tight insulation that can keep your living quarters warm in the wintertime. In the summer months, the double-opening option allows for ample ventilation. Double-hung windows are sometimes seen on homes in suburban neighborhoods, though the design is not as commonplace as the single-hung.

Double-hung windows come in a variety of styles, materials and colors. Grids are optional. Some homeowners prefer the maximum light of clear panes, while others like the look of grids. Double-hung frames can be made of wood, acrylic or fiberglass material, or a composite material that can offer the benefits of several material in one.

Double-hung windows provide sufficient ventilation during the summer months. However, the style can also work in more extreme climates. As with single-hung, a double-hung window can be paired with an awning overhead.

7. Bay Windows

The bay window is a three-sided window that protrudes from a wall like a hexagon that has been cut in half. Bay windows usually consist of a central pane that runs parallel to the wall between two angled panes, which connect the wall to the central pane on each side. While the center pane is stationary, the side panes can be churned open to 45-degree outward angles. Each assembly also contains a top and bottom to seal in the structure.

Bay windows are usually adorned with grids that divide each pane into four, six or eight panels. Due to the protruding exterior setup, bay windows add extra space to interior living quarters. The bottom of the pane serves as a countertop that can be used for plants, antiques or fixtures. The ceiling of a bay window can be affixed with lights.

There must be enough clearance outside the designated spot for a bay window for the style to work on a given property. This window design is suited to many different styles of homes, including country abodes and seaside cottages.

8. Bow Windows

A variant of the bay window is the bow window, which consists of four or five protruding panes instead of three. If a bow window has four panes, all four are slightly angled. If five panes are present, the center pane is parallel to the wall. Each of the side panes can be churned open at 45-degree angles. Key differences between bay and bow windows include the following:

• Bay windows protrude farther.
• Bow windows are wider.
• Bow windows bring in more natural light.

Today, both bay and bow windows are considered equally ideal for modern, vintage and classic homes.

9. Round Windows

The round window is a decorative style that, as the name implies, forms a full circle. Round windows are usually placed on high walls and top floors, just under the roof’s peak. The purpose of round windows is twofold — to optimize the natural light within an interior space and enhance a home’s appearance from the outside.

Round windows suit a range of styles, from classic to contemporary. The style was used centuries ago in Gothic architecture and can also be seen in contemporary interiors. As such, round windows work on country homes and modern houses alike. As with other decorative types of windows, a round window can enhance the appearance of a home in the eyes of potential buyers.

Due to their shape, round windows typically don’t open — although some designs allow for hinges or tracks so they can. Round windows are often intended for aesthetic and lighting purposes. The style is most suitable on the higher reaches of a wall, such as above a door or a conventional sliding or hung window. However, some of today’s more adventurous homeowners have purchased round windows for their bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Round windows are made both with and without grids, usually in a vertical and horizontal pattern. There are several variations to the round-window design, including the half-circle, the quarter-circle and the elliptical-shaped window. Half-circle windows, which are usually placed above doors and conventional window sets, often feature fan-shaped grids.

10. Picture Windows

Is it a window or a piece of art? A picture window is intended to feature a beautiful view of the outdoors. This style of window has no frame or opening mechanism, with its only purpose to display a crisp and clear view of the landscape. Although most picture windows resemble a typical rectangular picture frame, they are also available in geometric shapes.

11. Sliding Windows

The sliding window is one of the most conventional types of windows on the market. With its simple design, the sliding window is a common feature in bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms in homes, apartments and condominiums throughout the U.S.

Sliding windows are popular because they are easy to use and practical in most interior settings. Anyone can open a sliding window with minimal physical exertion. In the daytime, sliding windows provide sufficient natural light whether the sliding pane is open or closed. The panes of sliding windows are usually grid-free. While most sliding windows consist of vertical columns, some designs feature short and wide horizontal panes.

We offer 2-Lite Sliders and 3-Lite Sliders to cater to your desired look and functionality. Here are the major differences between the two:

2-Lite Slider windows consist of two vertical sashes. The pane on the right slides open from the inside, sliding horizontally in front of the stationary left pane.

3-Lite Slider windows consist of three panels, with a stationary center window and a venting sash on each side. The center pane is often larger than the two side panels for an extended view of the outside.

For either style, frames are made of wood, acrylic, fiberglass and sometimes metal, or a composite material that can offer the benefits of several material in one. If combined with a strong framing material, a sliding window can seal out wind drafts when fully shut. Alternately, a sliding window can help ventilate a home during warmer months. Many homeowners prefer sliding windows to single- and double-hung designs because there is no lifting involved — one side simply slides in front of the other.

Homespire Windows and Doors Can Help You Decide

As you have just read, there are many options to choose from. The good news is the consultants at Homespire Windows and Doors are specifically trained to help you make the right decisions for your situation.

During your free, in-home window analysis, your consultant will examine all of your windows and provide the best recommendation for your wants, needs and budget. They will help you pick out the styles that best fit your home, all while showing you why you can’t beat the quality of Homespire windows.

New Window Types and Styles at Homespire Windows and Doors

One of the most important investments you can make in your home is new windows. In addition to the warmth and comfort windows provide, a new window could enhance your property’s appeal and future market value. Contact Homespire Windows and Doors online or call 833-684-1873 to learn more about replacement window options today.