Window Styles & Types

Installing new windows is a great opportunity to update the appearance of both the inside and outside of your home and increase its energy efficiency.  When choosing new windows it’s important to consider what you wish to achieve. Window styles, shapes and sizes vary. They can make a room feel more spacious, enhance architectural details, improve ventilation, and save energy. Below are some of the most common types of windows to consider:

Making a room feel more open and spacious is the perfect job for Bay and Bow Windows. Bay and bow windows are created by combining multiple windows to form an arc or curve. The new overhang is then covered by a roofing material such as copper or shingles. By extending beyond the home’s main wall, these windows create a wider viewing area from the inside, allowing more natural light to enter the home. From the outside, bay and bow windows add curb appeal and architectural interest. 

Installing Garden Windows is a great springtime project. Similar to bay and bow windows, they extend past the main wall and usually feature shelves for growing plants and flowers. Garden windows are ideal for kitchens and sunrooms.

If your home craves more natural light, adding Skylights or Sun Tunnels may be the answer. With a variety of shapes and sizes available, skylights can be customized to match any home’s style. Skylights even come in motorized units that open via a remote control or wall switch, allowing added room ventilation. These skylights are perfect for vaulted ceilings and sunrooms. More light can also be achieved by adding Transom Windows. Transom windows are typically located above doors or other windows, and offer architectural detail and a greater area for natural light to enter.   

Divided into two sections, Double Hung Windows open by sliding the bottom panel up or the top panel down. Single Hung Windows are similar, but only allow the bottom section to slide up. Both have a traditional feel, but are often paired with other window types to create custom looks.

Casement Windows are hinged at the side and open inwards or outwards, maximizing ventilation and allowing plenty of air and light to enter the home. They often match a traditional look, and newer models in larger sizes provide wider viewing areas. Similarly, Awning Windows are hinged at the top and open outward. These windows are perfect for creating ventilation while keeping rain and other weather elements out and maintaining privacy.

Architectural Windows are a popular choice for adding aesthetic appeal to both the interior and exterior of a home, while providing additional light and an open, spacious feel. Architectural windows are generally either angled, round, half-round, or scalloped, and are often used in conjunction with other square or rectangle windows. Palladian windows – large half-round windows usually used above a home’s entryway – are a good example of architectural windows.

For more information about windows visit ShinerWindows.com.

 

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