20 Different Types of Windows (and When to Choose Each for Your Home)
Windows are one of the most expensive things you’ll ever have to buy for your home, costing approximately $450 to $1,400 per window , and that can obviously add up quickly. You also need to choose the right type of windows for your home—and there are a dizzying number of options. To make the best decision, you need to know the differences between the different types of windows and their pros and cons.
Single-leaf windows
Single-hung windows are rectangular in shape and have two sashes: an upper and a lower one. Only one of them – usually the bottom – can be moved up and down, while the other is locked in place.
When to choose: When money matters. Single-pane windows tend to be the cheapest options, with the average cost per window being $560 .
Double-hung windows
Double-hung windows look the same as single-hung windows, but both sashes can be moved up and down. They are pretty standard in most homes.
When to choose: When you need to stick to a budget but want more flexibility. Double-hung windows aren’t much more expensive than single-hung windows, but they do give you the option of choosing which sash to open, which can be beneficial for your space.
Awning/bunker windows
The awning window is hinged at the top and can be pulled outward, resembling an awning with the outside of the window facing up. Conversely, a hopper window has hinges at the bottom so it resembles a gutter or hopper when opened. They usually use a crank mechanism to open and close. They also provide snug protection from the elements.
When to choose: When security and privacy are paramount. Shed and bunker windows are difficult to open from the outside and can be mounted high on the wall to provide light and ventilation while preventing people from peeking in on you. However, curtain windows provide better protection from rain because bunker windows can direct rainwater into your home.
Hinged windows
Casement windows have a mechanism similar to awnings or bunker windows that use a crank or lever to open. However, they open left or right rather than hinged at the top or bottom.
When to choose: When energy efficiency is a top priority. Because casement windows close tightly on all sides, air leakage is minimal . The crank mechanism can also make them a good choice for hard to reach areas, such as behind the kitchen sink.
Pivot windows
Pivot windows are square or rectangular windows that pivot on a central hinge, pivoting horizontally or vertically. As a result, when opened, half the window is outside the house, and half is inside. They are easy to use, but always partially block the view.
When to choose: When safety and ease of operation are priorities. Pivot windows don’t leave much room for someone to squeeze through.
Transom windows
Transom windows are small windows that sit above other windows or doorways. They can be hinged and openable, but most often they are fixed. They can add elegance to your home’s design, but their main purpose is to increase the amount of natural light entering your home, especially through a front door that blocks light.
When to choose: When you need more light in your entryway or when you want to add a touch of sophistication to your home.
Bay windows and bay windows
Bay windows are three rectangular windows that are angled to create a “protrusion” from your home. They are usually single or double, but they can also be “locked”, meaning they do not open at all. Bay windows are very similar to bay windows, but have a more rounded shape.
When to choose: When you need more living space. Bay windows and bay windows allow you to increase the size of your living space while increasing the amount of light you receive. However, they can be expensive and often require custom window treatments.
Jalousie windows
Louvre windows consist of glass louvers. Using a handle, the blinds are rotated up or down, opening and closing. They are usually used in warm and rainy areas because they can be left open when it rains, increasing air flow.
When to choose: When you live in a tropical area with a lot of rain and are not concerned about energy efficiency.
Garden windows
They can usually be found in the kitchen behind the sink. These are box windows that protrude from the wall, creating a greenhouse atmosphere for a small indoor garden.
When to choose: When you lack outdoor space and want to add some greenery to your home.
Glass block windows
Glass block windows are exactly what they sound like: glass blocks stacked on top of each other and held together with mortar, usually using glazed or frosted glass. They are fixed, meaning they cannot be opened, so they allow light to pass through while protecting your privacy.
When to choose: When privacy is more important than ventilation.
Storm windows
Storm windows can be permanent windows made of safety and storm glass, or inserts that are installed outside the window itself and provide protection from wind and debris impacts.
When to choose: If you live in an area prone to severe storms. They can also provide better sound insulation due to their thickness and durability.
Exit windows
Egress windows are commonly found in basements (though they can be located anywhere in the home), but are often required by law to provide an escape route in an emergency. As a result, they are large enough for a normal adult to fit through. They are also often below ground level and surrounded by a window dug near the foundation of the house. Most egress windows are casement windows, and they are usually added more for function than style.
When to choose: When you are required by law to provide an exit from an interior room of your home.
Dormer windows
Installed on the roof of your home, skylights resemble awning windows that slope upward. When closed, they allow light to pass through, but when additional ventilation is needed, they can be opened to allow hot air to rise up and out of the home.
When to Choose: When your home is hot and stuffy in the attic or upstairs rooms and you could benefit from more passive climate control.
Round windows
Sometimes they are called rose windows. These are fixed round windows, usually with metal bars dividing them into sections. They are purely decorative and usually need to be custom made for your space.
When to choose: When your home design requires it.
Radius windows
These windows, sometimes called “arched” windows, have a rectangular bottom and a rounded top, so the entire window resembles an arch. They are usually fixed, but can also be opened. These are typically custom windows, so they can be very expensive, but they add a touch of sophistication to any home.
When to choose: When you feel like you need something special in your window design.
Oriel windows
A bay window is similar to a bay window and a bay window in that it covers the overhang of the main structure, creating additional interior space. Unlike bay windows or bay windows, bay windows are rectangular in shape and can provide maximum light penetration while offering panoramic views of the outdoors.
When to choose: When you need as much sunshine as you can handle.
Cottage windows
Cottage style windows are rectangular windows with two sashes: a larger lower sash that usually opens and a smaller upper sash that is usually fixed. They bring powerful charm to any home.
When to choose: When you want a bit of old-school charm or when you need smaller windows due to space constraints.
Slider windows
Sliding windows are similar to pocket doors: the sashes slide left or right. You can find them in two-leaf or three-leaf configurations, and they’re great for spaces where you don’t have much vertical space to work with.
When to choose: When you can’t fit a traditional vertical window in the space you have.
Picture windows
Picture windows are large, fixed windows (they don’t open) that provide a view that almost looks like a painting hanging on the wall. They provide a lot of light and open up a view of something – like your garden.
When to choose: When visibility is more important than ventilation.
Tilt and turn windows
Found primarily in Europe, tilt-and-turn windows can be opened from the side hinges, like a door or casement window, but also from the bottom, like a bunker window. This makes them incredibly flexible as they can be opened in different ways depending on the weather.
When to choose: When you have variable climate conditions and feel you need a different window depending on the weather.