Planning to get new windows for your home? Though it seems like window replacement is a pretty easy endeavor, you need to consider many things to make windows work for your spaces, particularly the location you’ll be placing them in.
Different window styles offer unique benefits, so it can be difficult at times to choose the right ones for the various spaces in your house. The function, frame materials, glass patterns, and views are just some of the things you should consider before coming up with a decision. To help you out, here’s a list of different window styles and their ideal location in your home:
Picture Windows
For homes nestled at a beautiful location and offer mesmerizing views, picture windows are almost always necessary to install. Their most significant feature is their large, expansive glass, which creates the illusion of an indoor or outdoor space. True to their name, picture windows offer homes a picturesque view of the outdoors, with their frames appearing as the edges of a photo frame. As they let in a great deal of sunlight, they can also make any home look and feel brighter and more spacious.
Picture windows are not operable, though, so they offer no ventilation. What they lack in ventilation, they make up for the amount of light and views that you can enjoy from inside your home. Of course, you’d want to install these windows in an area where you want to make the outside view a focal point. Some of your top choices are the living room, bedroom, and even the dining area.
Double Hung Windows
Possibly the most popular window style among American homes today, double hung windows have two sashes that slide up and down. They are best suited for vertical openings, letting in the right amount of light and air inside your home. During summer, they can also allow unnecessary heat to escape through their open upper panels, keeping your living spaces comfortable all season long.
Double hung windows are perfectly suited to traditional homes due to their classic design, but modern homes can benefit a lot from the window style as well, depending on how it is used. Almost any area in the home can benefit from these windows due to increased ventilation, especially the kitchen and bedroom.
Casement Windows
This type of window offers an expansive, unobstructed glass area for your home. Hinged on one side, casement windows swing outward with the turn of a crank handle. They are ideal for homes that lack proper ventilation and natural lighting, as they open widely whenever necessary. Due to their versatile design, casement windows can be installed in nearly any room in your house. They are particularly ideal, however, for warm areas that rely on breezes for ventilation and comfort. Nonetheless, keep in mind that these windows swing outward, so they can get in the way of rooms with heavy foot traffic outside.
Awning Windows
Awning windows are largely similar to casement windows; the only difference is that they open outward hinged at the top, instead of opening from the side. The biggest advantage of this window type is the enhanced light it brings. Awning windows work best in dark spaces, such as in a closet or pantry space. They also work well up on a wall or close to the ceiling in primary living spaces where privacy is needed. Like their casement counterpart, these windows are not ideal for rooms where regular traffic is common.
Transom or Hopper Windows
Transom or hopper windows work like casement and awning windows due to their hinge mechanism, but they open downward and inward. They have a slight upward tilt, preventing dirt and other debris from flowing freely into your home when opened. Hopper windows are great for areas with limited wall space, as they allow you to use the full frame for opening or closing. Although they are generally smaller than other types, they are great at improving a room’s ventilation. These windows are often used over doorways and other windows, as well as in the bathroom or basement.
Bay and Bow Windows
These window styles combine style and function, making your structure a lovely place to look at while increasing your home’s performance. Bay and bow windows are well-known for their protruding design, extending from the outer walls of your home to promote a unique style and add extra floor space inside. These windows are engineered to catch the light at all hours of the day and also provide a beautiful view of the outdoors. Both styles are ideal in areas with ample wall space, such as the living and family rooms.
Gliding or Sliding Windows
Gliding or sliding windows offer the unobstructed view of casement windows and the ventilation properties of double hungs. Unlike these windows, though, they slide horizontally and are favorites for rooms that face the porches, patios, or walkways.
The way your windows are placed will make a huge impact on the experience of living and relaxation inside your home. Contact a trusted window contractor today to help you determine the right options for your window replacement project and make the most of your investment.
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Author Bio:
As marketing director for Renewal by Andersen® (New Mexico, San Diego, Tucson, and Boise) and Dreamstyle Remodeling, Dawn Dewey is responsible for spreading Renewal by Andersen of Boise’s name far and wide. One of Professional Remodeler magazine’s 40 Under 40 for 2015, she is also passionate about animal welfare, the environment, and civil rights. Check out the company blog for updates from Dawn!
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