A Guide to Window Types

Windows provide both aesthetics and function to a home. Window manufacturers—like Marvin, Simonton, and Sherwood—engineer windows to provide ventilation, natural light, and energy efficiency. They also design them to enhance the curb appeal of your home.

You have a wide variety of choices, so here’s a guide to window types, to get you started on planning your window replacement.

Single Hung Windows have two sashes, but the top one doesn’t move. The window is opened by the lower sash.

Double Hung Windows are constructed with two moveable sashes that allow the window to be opened from the top or the bottom.

Casement Windows are hinged on the side and swing outward, using a lever to crank them open.

Bay Windows are created by three windows jutting out of the home’s façade. A larger, horizontal window is flanked by two smaller windows that are angled on each side. A bay window adds dimension to the home’s exterior and a nook inside.

Bow Windows curve outward from the façade, but, unlike a bay window, the interior doesn’t have that interior nook space, unless you add a window seat. The depth of the arc can be subtle or dramatic, depending on the effect you want.

Sliding Windows move horizontally along a track in the frame, making them the easiest to open and close. Sliding windows offer a more contemporary style than double hung windows.

Awning Windows are rectangular-shaped windows that are hinged at the top, which enables them to open outward. This “awning” style allows you to enjoy fresh air even when it’s raining outside.

Special Shape Windows are available in a spectrum of sizes and shapes—arched, round, oval, half-circle, hexagonal, and, palladian. Each choice adds interesting architectural detail to your home.

For more information about the many window replacement options available, please contact us at at Johnson County Siding & Windows. We’re a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), serving the Kansas City area.