New windows can make your home more attractive and add to your house’s curb appeal. Homeowners choose to replace old windows for many reasons such as appearance, better energy efficiency, or malfunction issues. The time will come when you have no choice but to replace your existing windows because they’ve reached the end of their lifespan.
Choosing windows for your home does not have to be stressful. Although there are many styles, materials, and technologies these days, knowing your needs and home’s architectural style can help narrow down what will work best for you.
Installing new functional windows will save you money on heating and cooling bills, enhance curb appeal, and bring more natural light into your home. Considering all of your options for windows can seem overwhelming. Hopefully the tips in this article can make it a bit easier to choose what’s best for your situation.
Consider These Window Style Options
When selecting the type of window to install, consider the space you’re trying to fill, how you want your window to open, and what you want to achieve with your new window. The main types of windows include:
Casement Windows
Bow Windows
Basement Windows
Fixed Windows
Garden Windows
Single & Double Hung Windows
Bay Windows
Sliding Windows
Awning Windows
Casement Windows
A casement window is a style of window which has hinges to either the left, the right, or to the top of the window, allowing it to open inwards or sometimes outwards. The outward opening windows are more popular and easier to operate than the inward opening windows. An outward casement window is ideal to install over the sink or countertops.
Casement windows can be installed in a single unit or grouped into a series of windows. They will usually come with a crank or a lever-style opening mechanism. They can be customized to match the look of your home with color finishes, glazing, and different handles.
Bow Windows
Bow windows are installed with a slightly curved configuration. They are installed in line with the wall but they are arranged in a semi-circular format which projects out from the wall. A bow setup is usually made from 4 or more individual casement windows, with two fixed and two opening windows. Bow windows bring in plenty of natural light into your home and upgrade your home's curb appeal.
Basement Egress Windows
A basement egress window is a semi or completely sunk window that is either added to your home or is built during a brand-new construction. Egress windows allow below-ground window opening from a basement which is large enough to allow escape in an emergency if required.
Fixed Frame Windows
Fixed frame windows, also known as picture windows, have a single fixed pane of glass. They are usually recommended when ventilation is not a priority and getting a good view is more important. This type of window can be used in any style of home which can accommodate a large feature window to the outside. Fixed windows are best used in conjunction with movable windows and patio doors to provide an open feel to any room.
Garden Windows
A garden window is a box-shaped window that protrudes out into the garden space, usually positioned above the kitchen sink. These types of windows are similar to bay or bow windows but are smaller in size. They can consist of fixed windows or a series of windows with sashes that open outwards. Adding a garden window to your space is one way to add extra light to the room and gives you an area to grow herbs or small plants.
Single Hung & Double Hung Windows
Sash windows have at least one window sash which slides up and down. It can tilt within the frame as well. A single hung window has a single movable sash and a fixed sash. If the window has an upper and lower movable sash, then it is called a double-hung sash window. Double-hung sash windows are more common than single-hung windows.
Bay Windows
Bay windows provide a great overall view of the outside as well as add light to the room. Bay windows are usually seen in Victorian-style homes. Bay windows consist of 3 main sides, the angled left side, the angled right side, and the front, which is directly adjacent to the front wall. It can also add 2-5 feet to a room’s length depending on the angle. A bay window can also reduce space from a room.
Sliding/Gliding Windows
Sliding windows, also known as gliding windows, have a single sash that slides across the fixed sash. The most common sliding windows contain just two sashes, one fixed and one sliding. The sliding style window is seen in many modern homes.
Awning Windows
Awning windows are windows that swing outwards or inwards from the frame, hinged above the window. These types of windows are usually common in commercial buildings and schools. Awning windows allow plenty of air to enter the room due to its size and how it opens. Awning windows aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing windows. Choose these if appearance is not high on your list.
Window Technologies
Windows are available in a wide range of properties based on the type of glass selected, the coatings on the glass, the gas used to fill the space between the panes, and the spacers that keep the glazing separated. Today, smart technology is in almost every aspect of our lives. We have it in our cars, phones, televisions, and even some home appliances that are now shifting to smart technology.
Even windows are also advancing with new technologies. Below are some of the most common coatings and technologies you may find when shopping for windows:
Insulation
Insulated window glazing refers to windows with two or more panes of glass. To insulate the window, the glass panes are spaced apart and hermetically sealed, leaving an insulating air space. Insulated window glazing lowers the U-factor which measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping your home.
Low-E Coatings
Low-emissivity coatings on glass control heat transfer within the insulated glazing. A low-E coating is a microscopically thin metal or metallic oxide layer deposited directly on the surface of one or more of the panes of glass. The low-E coating lowers the U-factor of the window and can manage the solar heat gain through the glazing system.
They can also be tuned to control the amount of visible daylight transmitted. Windows manufactured with low-E coatings typically cost more than regular windows, but they reduce energy loss by as much as 30% to 50%. Some low-E coatings are designed to be spectrally selective, filtering out 40% to 70% of the heat normally transmitted through insulated window glass while allowing the full amount of daylight.
Gas Fills
To minimize heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the window, the space between glazing layers is filled with argon or krypton gas. These gases are both inert, non-toxic, clear, and odorless. Argon is most commonly used because it is inexpensive and performs well. Krypton can be used when the space is thinner. It has better thermal performance than argon but is more costly.
Photochromics
Photochromic materials have been used in eyeglasses that change from clear in dim indoor light to dark in the bright outdoors. This same technology can be used in windows too. Photochromic materials change their transparency in response to light intensity. Photochromics may be useful in conjunction with daylighting, allowing just enough light through for lighting purposes, while cutting out excess sunlight.
Transition Technology
Sunlight responsive thermochromic windows use the sun’s energy to tint the windows and block the sun’s energy that otherwise would have ended up as heat load in your home. In addition to minimizing solar heat gain and maximizing daylighting, thermochromic layers help reduce glare, fading, noise, and increase safety.
Electrochromics
Electrochromic (EC) windows are used as a thin film stack made of ceramic metal oxide is coated on a glass substrate. These layers are sandwiched between two transparent electrical conductors. This new technology allows homeowners the ability to tint windows at the touch of a button. It can help reduce the cost of cooling during hot summer months. They can also cut down on unwanted glare and improve privacy in your home.
Visible to Birds
There is also a way to make window glass visible to birds. These windows feature unique and specialized patterns that are not visible to the human eye. This technology alerts birds to the glass so they don’t run into the invisible barrier while flying. You can combine it with other window technologies for optimal efficiency and convenience.
Hire Trusted Professionals to Install Your Windows
New windows are a significant investment, and sloppy installation work will only waste your money. If your window is installed incorrectly, it could cause many problems, such as energy loss and air and water leakage. Avoid these problems by hiring Banner Construction to install the windows for you. Start enjoying all of the benefits of new, highly efficient windows by giving us a call. Contact us today to start your window project.