Window Designs: Casements & More

Double-Hung Windows: Basics

Window basics: A double-hung unit has two operable sashes that slide vertically to open or close the
window. Where you'll find them: Popular across the country, double-hung windows can be used
throughout a home as the main type of window unit. Image courtesy of Ken Linsteadt
Double-Hung Windows: Pros & Cons
Advantages: Double-hung windows are especially effective air circulators: when they're opened at both
the top and the bottom (with the glass stationed in the middle of the window frame), warm air flows out
the top opening while cool air sails into the home via the bottom opening. Many people also find them
the most aesthetically appealing type of window, and they can be customized with internal grilles for
extra architectural appeal. Disadvantages: The main disadvantage to double-hung windows stems from
the amount of effort it can take to move the window panes, especially for people with back problems or
limited strength. If not properly maintained, some double-hung windows will have slippage problems
where the top sash won't stay up all the way. Image courtesy of Pella (pella.com)

Single-Hung Windows: Basics

Window basics: Single-hung windows look a lot like double-hung windows, but have one major
distinction: they only open from the bottom. Where you'll find them: Like double-hung windows, single-
hung units are a good general window and are used throughout the home. They used to be found
mainly in starter homes, but now are common in many price ranges. Photo courtesy of Jeld Wen
Windows.
Different Types of Windows – Styles

Finding the perfect window type for your home isn’t as easy as it seems. There are so many
different types of windows and options available today that it can be pretty overwhelming to try
to pick out the right one for your needs. Windows can be square, rectangular, octagonal and even
triangular and that’s just the shape. Some windows open to the side, some slide up and others tip
up like a canopy. Each of these diverse types of windows offer something special to a home, and
only a homeowner that understands their options can make an informed decision to choose the
right windows.

Here is a list of the most popular window types:

1. Single Hung Windows

2. Double Hung Windows
3. Arched Windows
4. Awning Windows
5. Bay Windows
6. Bow Windows
7. Casement Windows
8. Egress Windows
9. Garden Windows
10. Glass Block Windows
11. Hopper Windows
12. Jalousie Windows
13. Picture Windows
14. Round Circle Windows
15. Skylight Windows
16. Sliding Windows
17. Storm Windows
18. Transom Windows
 1. Single Hung Windows

Single Hung Window Costs: $170 – $360

Single hung windows are one of the most common types of windows that you’ll see on any home
today. The major difference between a single hung window and double hung windows is how the
different window sections move. With single hung windows, the bottom window panel or lower
sash moves up and down, and the upper sash remains stationary. This means that when you open
the window, the upper sash is covered on the inside.
 2. Double Hung Windows

Double Hung Window Costs: $300 – $850

In a double hung window, both the upper and lower sash can be lowered and raised. Both
single double hung window sashes can be tilted as well.
 3. Arched Windows

Arched Window Costs: $325 – $500

There’s something appealing about a home with arched windows. Their rounded tops add an
architectural complexity to any home. Most arched windows aren’t designed to open or close,
and they are installed up above more standard windows that provide the ventilation. However,
there are also some arched windows that open the way casement windows do; they offer
excellent ventilation and still give the appeal that arched windows were designed for.
 4. Awning Windows

Awning Windows Costs: $420 – $760

Awning windows are ideal for climates with a lot of rain, thanks to the way the window creates a
water-resistant awning when opened.

5. Bay Windows
 Bay Window Costs: $1150 – $3550

If you’re looking for a window that extends out of your home, you’ll want to choose a bow or
bay window. Each of these windows protrudes from an exterior wall and creates a small shelf in
the home—the larger the window, the larger the shelf.

Either type of window adds an architectural accent to a home. Bay windows are usually a better
fit for modern homes, and bow windows are often better suited for older Victorian style homes.
Bay windows rely on flat windows set into an angled frame that is built out of the home. This
usually consists of a center window, from which two side windows are angled at 30 to 40
degrees. Bow windows, on the other hand, rely on custom curved windows that create a
circular arc along the outside of the home.

6. Bow Windows

Bow Window Costs: $1400 – $3800

Both bay and bow windows are nice accents on a home, but it’s important to consider the cost
before making a decision, since bay windows are much more affordable than bow windows. Bay
windows also provide more shelf space within the home than bow windows, and many people
even create a window seat with their bay windows. In the end, it simply comes down to personal
style, preference, and budget.
 7. Casement Windows

Casement Windows Costs: $270 – $750

Both casement windows and awning windows are built with a hinge in their construction. Instead
of sliding open like double or single hung windows, they swing out to the side or up to open.
This allows the window to be constructed of solid glass and offers a less obstructed view overall.

Hinged windows are known for being excellent insulators because they do not have the separate
pieces and breaks between the pieces that other options have. This helps them keep your home
warmer and also keeps the weather out more effectively.
 8. Egress Windows

Egress Window Costs: $1000 -$5000

Egress windows are designed for safety more than anything else. They are the windows that
provide an escape route when an emergency such as a fire, for example, prevents you from
exiting through a door.

Egress windows are typically installed in the basement of your home. You should have at least
one egress window available in each living space of your home that doesn’t already have a
reliable exit. Separate bedrooms in the basement should each have their own egress window to
help keep everyone in your home safe. There are special requirements for fully functioning
egress windows and it’s important to meet them to comply with local fire codes.
 9. Garden Windows

Garden Window Costs: $1000 – $4000

Garden windows are essentially mini bay windows that are meant for plants. They’ve earned
their name because they act like little tiny greenhouses that protrude from the inside of your
home. Garden windows can hold many different plants, and many will even accommodate
shelves so that you can add several plants per window. Both you and your plants will benefit
from the increase in sunlight at home.
 10. Glass Block Windows

Glass Block Windows Cost: $400 – $1100

Glass block windows are most often considered accents and added to a section of the home to
increase light flow. Most commonly, glass block windows are frosted or adorned with a
patterned design, which provides simultaneous light and privacy. This makes them ideal for use
in bathrooms, basements, and other private spaces. However, if you need a sturdy window that
won’t open or close but you’d also prefer a view, glass block lights come in a clear view option
as well. Because glass block windows are immobile, they’ll be expensive and difficult to replace
if you change your mind about them, so consider these a more permanent remodel.
 11. Hopper Windows

Hopper Window Costs: $260 – $720

Hopper windows open from the top and usually crank open to tip down. They make efficient use
of compact spaces, which is why they’re commonly found in basements. They’re also known for
providing excellent insulation, because they seal up against the frame when closed all the way.
They open with an upward slant, which is especially beneficial for basements or first floor
rooms, since this keeps debris from entering a home. Hopper windows are also commonly used
in bathrooms commonly for insulation.

Because there are so many different types to choose from, it’s important to specify the criteria
that you want from your windows before installation. To choose the best window for your home,
simply consider each type individually in order to decide if it will offer everything you need.
Once you find a qualified installer, you’ll be on your way to enjoying the increased comfort,
beauty, and energy efficiency that new windows provide.
 12. Jalousie Windows

Jalousie Windows Costs: $175 – $375

Jalousie windows are the unique windows that you’ll find on many older homes around the
world. They are split into many different slats of metal or glass. The windows open like a set of
blinds. Simply crank the lever and the slats tilt to the side, which creates a series of gaps for air
to flow through. They were common years ago because of their easy maintenance and
affordability. Today, jalousie windows are still used in some homes in warmer climates, but they
don’t provide enough insulation to justify use on homes in cooler climates.
 13. Picture Windows

Picture Window Costs: $340 – $800

Whether the view outside your home is a lush green backyard or a mountain range, the best way
to fully enjoy your view is with picture windows. Picture windows are large windows that don’t
have any breaks or visible frames, resulting in an unobstructed view.

They are known as picture windows because they seem to turn the view outside your home into a
picture for you to admire. The downside to picture windows is that they don’t open, and they
can’t be used for ventilation or emergency escape. They are, however, one of the best options
available for simply admiring nature and letting more light into your home.
 14. Round Circle Windows

Round Circle Window Costs: $250 – $750

Round, half round, elliptical, or oval—the round windows category encompasses many different
shapes that add architectural interest to your home. In particular, round windows give your space
a nod to historical decor, such as Victorian or Gothic era structures.

Many round windows make perfect companions for glass doors or larger, square windows. They
can also be decked out with decorative grilles and stained glass to transform them into a show-
stopping design focal point. However, adding these kinds of features will make your window
replacement more expensive. Still, round windows provide a unique look, imbuing historical
homes with period-era accuracy, or instilling newer homes with one-of-a-kind charm.
 15. Skylight Windows

Skylight Window Costs: $900 – $2130

If you want to add more natural light to your home but have limited options with your exterior
walls, a skylight is an excellent option. It’s essentially a window for your roof, and it installs
similarly to a roof vent.

Most skylights remain closed and simple serve the purpose of increasing sunlight into a home, as
well as offering a beautiful view of the night sky. Still, some skylights open and close, which
helps with ventilation; these are especially useful in an attic or attic-renovated bathroom.

A skylight window must be installed by a professional. It’s an expensive choice for a window
type, but if you want a way to add natural sunlight into your home from your roof, a skylight is
your best option.
 16. Sliding Windows

Sliding Window Costs: $320 – $1300

If you’ve ever operated a sliding glass door, you should be able to visualize a sliding
window quite well. It has two sections that are usually made from single windows, and one of
the sections slides horizontally overtop of the other to open or close. This means that only half
the space of a sliding window can be utilized for ventilation purposes. Sliding windows are
typically used in homes with short walls because they don’t take up as much vertical space.

Sliding windows can make the walls seem taller, while still providing the same amount of
ventilation as a double or single hung window. If your home has low ceilings, sliding windows
also make it easier to position furniture without setting it in front of your windows. These
windows are normally installed near the upper portion of a wall, which leaves more space
between the floor and the bottom of the window than windows that move vertically.
 17. Storm Windows

Storm Window Costs: $200 – $460

Storm windows are exterior windows that install right in the same frame as your current
windows. Rather than replace your windows, they simply add another layer of protection. They
are flat panels with no breaks, and this makes them highly effective at preventing drafts and heat
loss. Most homeowners rely on storm windows when winter rolls around for the additional
protection against the elements. Compared to new quality windows, storm windows are very
affordable. They are simple to install as well. The only real downside to storm windows is that
they have to be put up and taken down throughout the year, and they limit the use of the original
windows once installed, which means no ventilation.
 18. Transom Windows

Transom Window Costs: $ 200 – $575

Transom windows are decorative accents that help break up space or add a unique design focal
point. They’re the windows that you see installed above doors in upscale homes, or even above
other windows in some instances. They’re typically a semicircle shape, but they can be square or
rectangular as well.

These windows are usually for decoration only and are mostly designed to let in light without
opening or closing. Still, some transom windows open just like awning windows do, with the
bottom tipping out and up to form a slightly slanted roof and let air into the home. Whether you
want to decorate your home or add another source of ventilation into it, transom windows will
work for your needs and they’re relatively affordable compared to full-sized windows.
 Custom Windows

When you have a space that you want to fill and standard-sized windows aren’t meeting your
needs, you can go with a custom window instead. Custom windows are crafted from dimensions
that you or a professional measures in your home. These dimensions could be from an existing
frame in your home or from an older custom window replacement that you’re replacing, or they
could be for a new section that you want to fill with a window. Custom windows can be as large
as you want them to be, and they offer you the freedom to pick and choose exactly how your
home looks.

Final Thoughts: Window Styles

Because there are so many different window styles and types to choose from, it’s important to
specify the criteria that you want from your windows before installation. To choose the best
window type for your home, simply consider each window type individually in order to decide if
it will offer everything you need. Once you find a qualified window replacement contractor,
you’ll be on your way to enjoying the increased comfort, beauty, and energy efficiency that new
windows provide.

Here are some other helpful pages to help you through your replacement window project.

Cost for Window Replacement

 Measuring Replacement Windows

Standard Window Sizes

Types of Window Frames

When to Replace Windows

Window Glass Repairs

Window Rebates & Incentives

Window Replacement Information

Let us help you decide what type of replacement window you should choose for your
window installation project below:

Compare All Types of Windows

Single Hung Windows

Double Hung Windows

Arched Windows

Awning Windows

Bay Windows

Bow Windows

Casement Windows

Egress Windows
 Garden Windows

Glass Block Windows

Hopper Windows

Jalousie Windows

Picture Windows

Rounded Circle Windows

Skylight Windows

Sliding Windows

Storm Windows

Transom Windows

Energy Efficient Windows

Double Paned Windows

Triple Paned Windows

Sound Proof Windows

Window Frames – Types

https://modernize.com/windows/types/picture-windows

Finestre, tipi di apertura

Quando si sceglie la finestra (o meglio la portafinestra) per il balcone o il terrazzo o anche
per l’affaccio su un guardino, diverse sono le possibilità anche per quanto riguarda la
tipologia di apertura dell’anta. Vediamole, con le rispettive caratteristiche.
Pubblicato il 15/05/2013 Aggiornato il 23/05/2013

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Nelle case d’impianto tradizionale, la più diffusa apertura per le porte-finestre è quella a
battente, mentre nelle costruzioni più recenti spesso sono presenti le scorrevoli. Quelle a libro
sono perlopiù usate per realizzare verande o per creare continuità fra gli interni ed esterni grazie
alla possibilità che offrono di totale apertura e chiusura.
Portafinestra con apertura a battente della linea Koncept di Oknoplast. Sinonimo di comfort e
sicurezza, il profilo del serramento unisce in sé ottimi parametri tecnici e di isolamento termico.
Munito di vetrocamere basso-emissive con il gas argon all’interno, questo serramento rientra
nelle rigide prescrizioni energetiche della classe A, aumentando il risparmio energetico e
migliorando il certificato energetico della casa. Prezzo da rivenditore. www.oknoplast.it

Apertura mista

 In un unico serramento può esserci anche un tipo di apertura mista. La più diffusa è ad anta-
ribalta (detta anche oscillobattente o vasanta) ed è caratterizzata dalla possibilità di aprire la
parte mobile sia a battente sia a vasistas (cioè solo in alto, lungo tutto il profilato orizzontale). Il
vantaggio principale è legato alla possibilità di ventilazione e aerazione anche in caso di pioggia
e vento.
 In alcuni casi questo genere di apertura è prevista anche nel serramento detto scorrevole
parallelo, che coniuga quindi il vantaggio di essere salvaspazio non avere all’interno alcun
ingombro delle ante alla possibilità di ventilare gli ambienti anche con la minima apertura
consentita dal vasistas.
Sistema per veranda in pvc di Finstral con portefinestra con apertura alzante scorrevole frontale e
finestre laterali con aperura a ribalta. La copertura è in pvc con rivestimento in alluminio. Prezzo
da rivenditore. www.finstral.com

Apertura scorrevole e binari a pavimenti

La tipologia scorrevole alzante (detta anche “alza e scorri”) è stata progettata per agevolare la
movimentazione di porte-finestre grandi ed è quindi particolarmente indicata quindi per
realizzare ampie superfici vetrate. Impugnando la maniglia, un dispositivo di manovra che si
attiva senza sforzo, solleva l’anta e la fa scorrere sui binari con facilità e leggerezza. Nella fase di
chiusura si riabbassa e si chiude con altrettanta semplicità. In più esistono dispositivi che
prevengono inconvenienti limitando la velocità di chiusura.
Altra soluzione scorrevole, che permette però l’aerazione degli ambienti con il vasistas, è il
tipo detto scorrevole parallelo, incernierato inferiormente: l’apertura si aziona in modo semplice
grazie a un sistema di leve; nella posizione di chiusura l’anta è bloccata su tutti i lati
massimizzando l’isolamento acustico.
Negli scorrevoli la traversa del serramento, rialzata rispetto al filo pavimento, consente di
garantire la tenuta ad aria e acqua. A proposito del profilo a terra in cui scorre il serramento, la
normativa in materia di abbattimento delle barriere architettoniche (rif. D.M.236/89) prescrive il
divieto di inserire porte-finestre con traversa orizzontale a terra di altezza tale da
ostacolare il transito di persone sulla sedia a rotelle. Non indica però il valore massimo
ammissibile. È tuttavia prassi diffusa dei costruttori di serramenti limitare a circa 2,5cm l’altezza
della traversa a terra, valore massimo indicato nel medesimo provvedimento per gli eventuali
dislivelli del pavimento.