The world of windows is deep and vast, especially in the day and age of bespoke projects, allowing for almost endless varieties of products. This can make it challenging to decide on the perfect window type for your upcoming renovation. From sliding to skylights to casements to bay windows, finding the right style, shape and material are essential to creating the atmosphere for your perfect aesthetic.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the different materials you can use to create your windows, the different styles that you can choose from, the various shapes available, and look into some basic FAQs to make sure you’ve got a well-rounded understanding of this new project.
What Are The Different Window Frame Types?
Windows are typically created from three different materials that offer varying benefits depending on your situation:
- Aluminium: Aluminium frames offer a sleek thin frame design that allows for a larger window area, creating the illusion of bigger windows. While most aluminium windows are less efficient when it comes to insulation, ours are thermally broken, reducing heat loss in the summer and keeping the cool air inside during the summer.
- Timber: Timber windows are a fantastic option to enjoy the unrivalled aesthetic of a wooden framed window. These types of windows are ideal for cottage window frames and period properties with Georgian windows. Timber windows come with high thermal performance and a choice of finishes and paint colours.
- uPVC: uPVC window frames can be seen on most properties these days. It boasts less maintenance, high thermal efficiency and the ability to be reshaped and recycled. While these windows are favourable in terms of maintenance, they do come with their costs. The material tends to expand and shrink during periods of changing temperature, and are not as aesthetically pleasing as timber or aluminium frames.
Casement Windows
Casement windows are some of the more versatile types used in new-build homes. These windows have hinges on one side of the frame and a handle to push the window outwards.
These windows are one of the more versatile types as the hinges and handles can be placed in various places on the window frame.
Casement windows will open outward or inward, making it just that much more versatile for your window needs. The twist handle seals the window into place, keeping any drafts from entering the house.
There are various types of casement windows that you can use, depending on your space and needs. Many of our JELD-WEN windows come in these styles. This includes:
- Top Hung Window/waning Window: Top hung windows are hinged at the top of the frame, with a window that swings outward from the bottom. Awning windows have the same opening style, but only the top half of the window will swing open, while the bottom glass remains in place. Perfect for having your windows open during a rainstorm.
- Side Hung: Hinged on the side and swings outward or inward. One of the more common types of casement windows.
- Single Casement: One frame that is side hung
- Double Casement: Two side-hung frames that open outward with handles in the middle.
- Flush Casement: While most casement frames will jut out a bit while closed, a flush casement will close flush into the frame, creating a contemporary sleek finish.
- Stormproof Casement: Ideal for anyone who lives in high wind, rain, or coastal areas. Our timber stormproof windows are designed to look great and protect your house from extreme weather.
- Fully Reversible: These windows are unique in that they include a mechanism that allows you to tilt and turn the glass panes on the window 180°. This offers the opportunity to clean both sides of the window and allows a large amount of airflow. Fully reversible windows come with larger panes, allowing more light to flood through the windows.
Sliding and Sash Windows
While casement windows will open like a door, sliding and sash windows will slide either upward or horizontally, allowing for less space to be taken up by the door of the window. While both sash and sliding windows will slide, there are a few differences between the two
Sash windows are ubiquitous in period homes with Georgian windows. These windows are typically split into two framed panels with the ability to slide up over one another. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but the design allows for the area to be easily ventilated. Modern sash windows come with spiral balances that make it easy to open and close the windows, high quality sealing to ensure thermal insulation, and double glazing to avoid dampness from forming. Sash windows are the perfect choice for a cottage-window aesthetic.
Sliding windows offer the same sliding technology as sash windows, though rather than up and down, sliding windows will slide horizontally. Sliding windows don’t have as much history as sash windows, but offer just an aesthetically pleasing view (from inside the house and outside!) These windows are typically used behind the kitchen sink, where they can easily be reached to slide open.
Bay and Bow Windows
Bay and bow windows are a fantastic addition to a home to create the illusion of more space. There is a slight difference between the two types of windows; Bow windows jut out from the brickwork and ‘floats’ above the outer wall underneath, while with bay windows, the brickwork will jut out underneath the window, creating an extension-type feel.
These windows create a new look and add dimension to the exterior of the home, creating a cottage-type feel, good ventilation, and extra space inside. In some cases, this type of window can add value to the property.
This type of window can be found in many Victorian houses as well as houses by the coast (or that extra beautiful panoramic view). Bay and bow windows come in a few different types:
- Splay: Windows that create half a hexagon shape.
- Circular: Windows that creates a half-circular shape when jutting out
- Square: Three-sided with windows on each side.
Skylight Windows
Skylight windows offer exactly what is in the name; more light to shine through. These windows are fixed to the ceilings to allow more light into areas of the house. These are often seen on more contemporary buildings but can be fitted to most homes.
A dormer is a similar-type window that looks like a box protruding from the main roof, with its own roof. These windows provide more headspace in rooms with sloped ceilings.
How Are Windows Installed?
Installing new windows on a house will typically take some time, especially if you’re doing more than one. Ideally, you’ll want a professional to do this to ensure that your windows are installed at the best quality.
First, the old windows will be removed. This will include removing the original windows and cleaning the window opening to make sure it’s ready for the new windows to be installed. The new window will be dry-fit into the opening before caulk is applied to adhere the window and close any gaps. Checks will be done to make sure that the window is even and gaps are filled before the trim is installed, and caulk is applied to the other side of the window.
This process can take anywhere from 40 to 60 minutes
What Is The Cheapest Style Of Window?
uPVC windows come at the cheapest price. These are the most common windows used because of their versatility, price, and the lack of maintenance needed.
Looking to start installing new windows in your house? We’re here to help! Take a look to decide on your next project.
