Window Types

Single-hung windows feature two sashes: a fixed top sash and a moveable bottom sash that slides vertically. This design gives them a classic rectangular shape.

Because they don’t open outward, single-hung windows are ideal for spaces facing walkways or streets where protruding glass would be an obstruction. They are also excellent for tight spaces where reaching an upper sash might be difficult, such as above a kitchen sink. These are among the most common window types found in both new construction and older homes.

Double-hung windows are similar to single-hung windows, but both the top and bottom sashes are moveable. This offers superior ventilation, as you can open both sashes to create airflow. Both sashes can often tilt inward, making them much easier to clean from the inside.

Double-hung windows have been a staple in home design for centuries. They are versatile enough to suit almost any architectural style, from traditional to contemporary, and are commonly used in bedrooms, kitchens, and living areas.

Hopper windows are hinged at the bottom and open inward. They typically open to a 45-degree angle, though some can open fully to 90 degrees.

Commonly found in basements or high up on walls (like in a bathroom), hopper windows are designed to provide ventilation in small spaces. Their inward-opening design makes them easy to access and secure, and their horizontal orientation allows them to fit in short, wide openings.

Casement windows are hinged at the side and swing outward like a door. They are typically operated by a hand crank, which makes them easy to open even in hard-to-reach places, such as above a kitchen sink.

Homeowners love casement windows because they open fully to let in maximum sunlight and fresh air. When closed, the sash presses tightly against the frame, creating a strong seal that makes them highly energy-efficient.

As the name suggests, center pivot windows rotate around a central axis (either horizontal or vertical). When opened, half the window projects inside and the other half projects outside.

This unique mechanism allows for excellent airflow and makes cleaning easy, as the exterior glass can be rotated inward. They offer a modern look and are often used in spaces where you want to maximize ventilation without the full swing of a casement window.

A transom window is a small window located above a door or another window (the "transom" is the structural beam separating them).

Originally designed to let in light and air while maintaining privacy, transom windows date back centuries. While traditional versions were often rectangular and operable for ventilation, modern transoms come in various shapes (including arched) and are often fixed glass used purely for adding natural light and architectural interest.

A bay window projects outward from the main walls of a building, creating a bay in the room. They typically consist of three windows: a large central fixed window flanked by two smaller operable windows (often casement or double-hung) at an angle.

Bay windows add interior space that can be used for a window seat, reading nook, or display area. They also capture more natural light and offer wider views than flat windows.

Bow windows are similar to bay windows but are curved, creating a rounded appearance on the home's exterior. They usually consist of four or more window panels arranged in an arc.

Like bay windows, bow windows expand the interior space and let in abundant light. Their curved shape offers a softer, more elegant look and a wider panoramic view compared to the angular lines of a standard bay window.

Jalousie windows, also known as louver windows, consist of parallel glass, acrylic, or wooden slats set in a frame. The slats are joined onto a track so that they can be tilted open and shut in unison, similar to Venetian blinds.

They are excellent for ventilation, allowing air to flow through the entire window area even during light rain (as the slanted slats shed water). While popular in mid-century homes and tropical climates, they are less common in cold regions due to poor insulation when closed.

A garden window is a small, box-shaped window that projects outward from the wall, similar to a mini bay window. It has a glass front, glass sides, and often a glass top (sloped to shed rain).

Designed to act like a small greenhouse, garden windows are perfect for growing herbs and plants indoors. They are most frequently installed over kitchen sinks, providing a sunny shelf for plants while bringing more light into the room.

Glass block windows are constructed from individual thick glass blocks sealed together with mortar. They are translucent, allowing light to enter while obscuring the view for privacy.

These windows are durable and secure, making them popular for basements and bathrooms. While they don't offer ventilation (unless a small vent is built in), they provide excellent insulation and security compared to standard glass panes.

Storm windows are secondary windows installed over existing primary windows. They can be mounted on either the interior or exterior.

Their main purpose is to improve energy efficiency and protect the primary window from the elements. They create an insulating air pocket that reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. They are a cost-effective alternative to replacing old, inefficient single-pane windows.

An egress window is a window designed to be large enough for an adult to climb out of in an emergency, such as a fire. Building codes typically require them in basements and bedrooms.

To qualify as an egress window, it must meet specific size requirements for clear opening width, height, and area. While they serve a critical safety function, modern egress windows are also designed to let in plenty of natural light, making basement living spaces feel more welcoming.

Skylights are windows installed in the roof to bring natural light into the center of a home. They can transform dark rooms into bright, airy spaces.

Fixed skylights are sealed shut, while vented skylights can open to release hot air and improve ventilation. Modern skylights often feature rain sensors to close automatically when it starts to rain.

Round windows (sometimes called rose windows or oculi) are circular windows often used as architectural accents. They have a long history in Gothic and classical architecture.

In modern homes, they are often placed in gables, entryways, or bathrooms to add a unique focal point. They can be fixed or operable (often pivoting) and come in various designs, from simple open glass to intricate grille patterns.

A radius window combines a rectangular bottom with an arched (half-circle) top. It offers the traditional look of a standard window with the elegance of an arch.

These windows are often used to soften the hard lines of a room or to mimic the shape of arched doorways. They can be standalone units or placed above other windows and doors to add height and light.

A lunette window is a semi-circular or half-moon shaped window. The name comes from the French word for "little moon."

They are frequently installed above doors or larger rectangular windows as a decorative transom. Lunette windows add a touch of classical elegance and are common in Victorian, Colonial, and Neoclassical architecture.

A dormer is not just a window but a structural projection from a sloping roof that contains a window. It creates more headroom and usable space in an attic or upper story.

The window within the dormer can be of various types, such as double-hung or casement. Dormers add visual interest to a roofline and are a practical way to turn an attic into a livable bedroom or office.

An oriel window is a type of bay window that projects from an upper story and is supported by brackets or corbels underneath, rather than resting on the ground.

Oriel windows expand the floor space of the room they are attached to and offer excellent views up and down the street. They are a distinctive feature of many architectural styles, including Queen Anne and Tudor.

A cottage window is a variation of a double-hung window where the upper sash is shorter than the lower sash (typically a 40/60 split).

This asymmetric design gives the window a charming, traditional look often associated with Craftsman, Tudor, and Cottage-style homes. Despite the different sash sizes, they operate just like standard double-hung windows.

Two-panel slider windows have two sashes that slide horizontally side-to-side. In some designs, both sashes slide; in others, one is fixed and one slides.

They are simple to operate, durable, and space-saving since they don't swing outward. Slider windows are ideal for wide openings and are commonly found in mid-century modern and ranch-style homes.

Three-panel sliders feature a large fixed center pane flanked by two sliding sashes on either side.

This design offers a panoramic view similar to a picture window but with the added benefit of ventilation from the side panels. They are perfect for large walls where you want to maximize the view and airflow.

Picture windows are large, fixed windows that do not open. Their primary purpose is to frame a view and let in light, hence the name.

Because they don't have opening mechanisms or screens, picture windows offer the clearest possible view of the outdoors. They are extremely energy-efficient since they are permanently sealed, but they must be paired with other window types if ventilation is needed.

Fixed windows are any windows that do not open. While picture windows are a type of fixed window, the term "fixed window" often refers to smaller, non-operable windows used in combination with others.

They are often used in modern architecture to create unique shapes or window walls. Since they don't open, they are simpler and less expensive than operable windows, making them a good choice for hard-to-reach places where ventilation isn't a priority.

Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward from the bottom, creating a small roof or "awning" effect.

This design allows you to leave the window open for ventilation even during light rain, as the glass sheds water away from the opening. They are often placed higher up on walls for privacy or combined with large fixed windows to add airflow.

Popular in Europe, tilt & turn windows have a specialized mechanism that allows them to open in two ways: they can swing open like a door (turn) or tilt inward from the top (tilt).

The "turn" function allows for easy cleaning and emergency egress, while the "tilt" function provides secure ventilation without letting in rain. They are highly engineered, secure, and energy-efficient.

French doors are a pair of doors composed largely of glass panes extending for most of their length. They typically swing open from the center (either inward or outward).

They serve as both windows and doors, flooding a room with light and providing a wide, elegant opening to a patio, garden, or balcony. They are a classic design element that adds a sense of grandeur and connection to the outdoors.

A Palladian window is a large, three-part window design featuring a central arched window flanked by two smaller rectangular windows.

Named after the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, these windows are grand and dramatic. They are often used as a focal point in formal living rooms, dining rooms, or entryways, adding a sense of history and sophistication to a home.