Choosing the Right Windows

Choosing the right window is not the same as choosing the best window. It is finding the right combination that best suits your project. Looking at the different styles, materials, colors, and energy efficiency offered can be overwhelming. It truly comes down to a balance of budget, function, and material.

The first step in buying the right window is to choose the style that fits your needs. Whether you just want more light, or desire to have quality air flow, the style of window you choose will impact more than just the look of your house. 

Fixed Window

A fixed window is just as it sounds, fixed in place. These windows are meant to be used for bringing in more light into your home. They do not have the ability to be opened so it is not a window meant to bring in added air flow. Fixed windows are most commonly used in living rooms, dining rooms, or up high on walls like in bathrooms and closets. Most fixed windows have the option of adding grids to it to give it more style, as well as the option to come in obscure glass for additional privacy while still letting light into the home.

Single Hung Window

A single hung window is made up of 2 glass panels which are  more commonly called “sashes”. The top glass panel is stationary and the bottom panel has the ability to move up and down. This is the most common window found in households. These windows allow air flow into the house and are used for emergency escapes. They come in many sizes and can have different features based on your needs. You can choose to have a tilt function that opens the bottom glass panel towards you allowing easier cleaning. There are also options of choosing between having manual or automatic locks, and customizing the type of screen materials. 

Double Hung Window

A double hung window is made up of two glass panels that have the look of a single hung window. The difference between these two types of windows though is that double hung windows allow you to open the window from the bottom up or from the top down. This is a very traditional style of hung window that you see more often in the classic style homes before the invention of central heating and air. Double hung windows are most commonly sold in wood window brands, but there are options in both Aluminum and Vinyl with a few manufacturers. The advantage to these windows is that it allows the homeowner to open the top portion of the window and have the ceiling fans to circulate fresh air throughout the room or house. 

Hinge Windows

Hinge windows are very versatile with having the availability to come in three options: Casement, Awning, and Hopper. A casement window is when the hinge is placed on either the left or right side of the window which allows you to open the window to the side. An awning window is when the hinge is placed on the top of the window which allows you to open the window from bottom towards the outside creating an awning style. And a hopper window is when the hinge is on the bottom which allows you to open the window from top towards the outside. These hinge windows are the most expensive operational style, however they offer the largest opening for the space and are one of the best at energy efficiency. Due to how the window opens out from the house, when the wind blows against the closed casement it is being pushed even tighter into the weatherstripping which offers a tighter seal when you need it most.

The next step in choosing the right window is to decide on the desired material. Different materials will produce different functionality so knowing what each material can do will help you choose the best option for your home.

Aluminum

Aluminum windows are generally the least expensive windows on the market.  Aluminum is a strong and lightweight material, so by choosing this material for your window it will provide excellent strength and resistance to outdoor elements. Where aluminum may fall short is on thermal efficiency compared to other materials, such as vinyl or composite.

Vinyl 

Vinyl windows are the largest category of window in the market. There are many manufacturers who can produce them with varying functionality, and color options that have long lasting finishes. These windows are the least expensive, and depending on the brand can come with additional advantages. You can get foam added into the frame which will add more  insulation to the window space. 

Composite

Composite windows are windows built along the lines of composite decking.  These windows are made with a combination of plastics, resins, epoxys, and wood.  By using composite materials it adds strength to the window frame which helps longevity of the life of your window. Glass is heavier than most people realize so with a stronger frame you will also see superior functionality. Composite windows also have the ability to build a larger window than traditional vinyl windows. 

Wood 

Traditional wood windows have become quite unique and rarer to find. There are still some custom shops around the country that produce true wood inside and outside windows. The wood window has changed a lot over the years and has now evolved into what we call clad wood windows. This is where the outside of the window is covered in Aluminum, Vinyl, Fiberglass, orother Composites. This covering helps keep the outside elements from coming into contact with the wood window, allowing the window to function flawlessly over the full life of the window. Wood windows can come in several different species of wood so you can match the trim and features throughout the home. Everything from Pine, the most common and the best price, to Oak, Mahogany, and others.