Your windows impact your home’s energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and aesthetic appeal. As a homeowner, it can feel pretty overwhelming to navigate the variety of window styles, materials, and the multiple brands you have to choose from.
Read on to gain knowledge that will equip you to make the best decision on replacement window features so you can get the longevity, high performance, and beauty you deserve from your new windows.
Popular Window Styles for Your Home Renovation
Single-Hung Windows
These well-liked windows consist of one movable sash (usually the bottom) and one fixed sash (the top). They are typically used by builders on new construction for cost savings. They look the same as double-hung windows, but have fewer moving parts, making their maintenance and repair needs minimal.
Double-Hung Windows
These are the most common window type. At Presidential Exteriors, we’ve installed tens of thousands of double-hung windows. Both the top and bottom sashes are movable, allowing for better ventilation. The sashes slide independently of each other. They are easier to clean than other window types, as sashes can tilt inward, making them ideal for both the first and second story of your home. They have better wind and air leakage ratings than other styles. These windows work well in a variety of home styles such as traditional, farmhouse, and bungalow.
Casement Windows
Aside from a picture window, casements are one of the most airtight window styles available, sealing your home from unwanted drafts and boosting energy efficiency. They are hinged on one side and open outward by turning a crank. On the opposite side, a latch locks the window when shut. They provide excellent ventilation and unobstructed views. Casement windows have a more modern look than double- or single-hung windows since they offer unobstructed views and don’t have an upper and lower sash design.
Awning Windows
This window style has similar construction to casement windows, but awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward. Not surprisingly, they look like an awning when they are fully open. They are ideal for rainy climates, as they can be opened during a gentle rain without letting water in. They are typically found in basements or used in places that require smaller windows.
Sliding Windows (AKA Sliders)
These spacious windows slide horizontally along a track. They are suitable for wide openings and provide easy operation. Slider windows are popular in midcentury modern homes and ramblers. They are easy to open and close, and are super durable. With no cranks or complex mechanisms, they are easy to maintain. Simply clean their tracks regularly so dirt and debris don’t collect in them. Their positive features outweigh the fact that they may not be the best choice when it comes to air leakage.
Picture Windows
These large, fixed windows do not open. They provide expansive views and allow maximum light into your home. They are extremely energy efficient, as the insulated glass units (IGUs) can be thick, and air leakage is nonexistent. Picture windows are also super low maintenance as there are no moveable parts in them. They work well in a variety of home styles. Keep in mind that the outside of fixed windows must always be cleaned from outdoors, so it is best to only install them on your lowest floor.
Bay and Bow Windows
These attractive windows extend outward from homes, creating a larger view and additional interior space (which can be used as a reading nook or breakfast nook). They act as a mini-addition to any room they are built onto. They typically consist of a fixed center picture window flanked on the sides by double-hung or casement windows. They are called bay windows when the shape of the windows is essentially square. They are known as bow windows when the shape is curved.
Garden Windows
These are handy if you want to expose your plants to maximum sunlight while keeping them indoors. They look like boxy mini bay windows. Garden windows are frequently found in kitchens—above the sink. They have multiple shelves, frequently made of glass.
The Beauty and Durability of Vinyl for Your New Window Frames
After identifying the style of your existing windows and deciding whether or not to stay with that style, your next big decision is on the window frame’s material type. There are a lot of different materials out there, from vinyl to fiberglass and even wood.
Vinyl Windows
It’s hard to beat the customization, flexibility, and incredibly low maintenance of vinyl for replacement windows. Unlike wood windows, vinyl isn’t going to rot. The thing that really separates good quality vinyl from its competitors is the same thing that makes it really hard to paint—things don’t stick to vinyl.
Vinyl windows are made of first class, premium virgin vinyl. Virgin vinyl means that the material is first generation (not recycled). This vinyl is extremely slick, and almost all of the dirt, dust, grime, pollen, mold and other “outside” debris has a much harder time clinging to it than it would to other materials.
Vinyl frames are energy efficient, so they will help lower your utilities bills and preserve your HVAC system. They are also one of the most affordable window frame materials, making renovating your home even more ideal.
Get Gorgeous New Vinyl Windows for Your Home Installed by Our Expert Crew
Don’t settle for leaky windows that cause your energy efficiency to decrease and moisture to invade your home. Get durable, beautiful new windows so you can enjoy lower utilities bills and protect your home from damaging moisture intrusion.
At Presidential Exteriors, we install premium ProVia® Windows, energy-efficient Presidential Series Windows from Vytex, and designer windows sourced from other reputable brands. We stick carefully to the manufacturer’s guidelines during installation to ensure you get optimal results and to protect your warranty. Learn more about how our window services can enhance your home’s beauty while safeguarding it from the elements.
