HouseWindows

House Windows

House windows are both a fixture of construction and an accessory to most dwellings. Nothing else in the construction of your home influences both the interior and exterior like house windows. Besides offering concrete benefits, like energy savings, light and ventilation, they set the mood to a room, and their construction materials and style support the overall ambiance of your abode.

Window Styles

There are dozens of styles of house windows to consider when looking for a replacement to your current set-up. When shopping for house windows, consider the area they will be used in. You may love the look of Palladians, but if you live in a ranch house with a relatively low ceiling, this style probably won't work. However, don't feel like you are stuck with the size or shape of the existing glass. Consider replacing two side-by-side single hung windows with a large double hung slider window for example, to allow more light and air in into your home, or house window tinting to reduce the amount of light.

A fixed window is any style of window that cannot be opened. These are also called a "light" in some parts of the country, as all they do is allow light into the home.

A single-hung window is what is usually considered a basic window. It has two window components, one on top of the other. The bottom one will slide up for ventilation, the top one is fixed, or doesn't move.

A double-hung window has the same appearance as a single hung window, but both panels will open. Single and double hungs are the most frequently replaced windows currently. This is because of their wide use in the construction of new homes over the past several decades. While they serve their purpose, they are usually the first to go when a homeowner wants to upgrade the look of their current configuration.

A picture is a very large window in a wall, usually overlooking scenery or your yard, which provides a focal point within a room and an unimpeded view to the "picture" outside. Traditionally, a picture style window is fixed, though in recent years styles are more flexible.

Another basic model is the Slider. It is best described as imaging your basic sliding patio door, window sized. It opens horizontally, and can open from one side or both.

Another basic style is the casement, which is hinged like a door, and opens outwards. There are also tilt house windows, which are casement windows turned sideways. When it is hinged at the top it is known as an awning.

A skylight window is built into the roof, versus a wall. They are usually installed to allow light into darker areas in the home. They are used frequently in hallways, staircases and bathrooms. However, homeowners are using them in main rooms to good effect. Consider them if you live in areas with gray winters. They allow beautiful natural light to flood your house, even on the dreariest of days.

Related to a skylight is a clerestory. They are fixed, vertical house windows set in a roof or above eye level on a wall. They are often used in rows along the length of a wall. They are useful for bringing light into a home, and their high location allows for efficient ventilation.

A bay is most often used in living areas, dining rooms or bedrooms. They are multi-panel house windows, usually made up of three sections that create a seating area. Bay windows used to be exclusively fixed, but now often come with a center fixed panel, with windows that allow ventilation on the sides.

A bow, for lack of a better description is an expanded bay window. Instead of three panels, a bow window will have four or more, arranged to simulate a half circle in appearance.

Oriels are basically bay or bow windows, but specific to upper floors in the house. These are not seen on modern house construction, but if you have a faux-Tudor style house, or a home from the early 1900's or earlier, you may have this very unique style. It has been a traditionally fixed window. However, if you are updating this style, and have the space, consider sandwiching a fixed panel with two single-hungs.

Palladians are very popular in today's new house construction, where they are often installed in the formal living room. Palladians consist of a large center section flanked by two smaller side sections.

Shop with Ease

To start the house windows shopping process, fill out our simple to use form at the top of the page. Let the convenience of the internet allow you to receive numerous quotes without leaving your desk. Give us some basic information and have vendors and contractors from right in your local area provide house windows quotes.