Decorating
Know Your Houzz: What Type of Windows Do You Have?
Get to know the many window types that may be used in your home with this comprehensive guide
Windows are the glass-paned openings in a house that allow the passage of light, and ventilation when open. They can be placed and sized to suit various positions along a wall. They can open in a variety of directions and by a variety of methods, each type having its own benefits. To learn about windows, read this glossary of the many types that can be seen in both traditional and contemporary houses today.
Double-hung sash window
A double-hung sash window has two moveable elements that overlap slightly. In contrast to the single-hung sash window in which only one portion slides vertically, both the upper and lower portion of the double-hung sash window slide up and down.
Double-hung sash windows are a good choice for nurseries and children’s bedrooms, because the lower panes can remain closed for safety while the upper panes are opened for ventilation.
A double-hung sash window has two moveable elements that overlap slightly. In contrast to the single-hung sash window in which only one portion slides vertically, both the upper and lower portion of the double-hung sash window slide up and down.
Double-hung sash windows are a good choice for nurseries and children’s bedrooms, because the lower panes can remain closed for safety while the upper panes are opened for ventilation.
Casement window
Casement windows are the most traditional window type, with hinged frames that open inwards or outwards like a door. They may have a handle, latch or crank for manual opening and they offer maximum ventilation.
Casement windows are the most traditional window type, with hinged frames that open inwards or outwards like a door. They may have a handle, latch or crank for manual opening and they offer maximum ventilation.
Louvre window
A louvre is a small rectangular glass panel that can pivot open to facilitate air flow. Louvre windows have a series of these panels and the amount they are opened will control and affect the ventilation or breeze within a space.
A louvre is a small rectangular glass panel that can pivot open to facilitate air flow. Louvre windows have a series of these panels and the amount they are opened will control and affect the ventilation or breeze within a space.
Clerestory window
This window type takes its name from religious architecture and the clerestory windows at the upper level of a church. In domestic architecture, they are the window along the top of the wall where it meets the seam of the ceiling. Due to their height they are often fixed, although not always, and they offer natural light without giving away any privacy.
Browse a gallery of clerestory windows
This window type takes its name from religious architecture and the clerestory windows at the upper level of a church. In domestic architecture, they are the window along the top of the wall where it meets the seam of the ceiling. Due to their height they are often fixed, although not always, and they offer natural light without giving away any privacy.
Browse a gallery of clerestory windows
Sliding window
A sliding window has one to two elements that slide horizontally across to facilitate ventilation in a room. They are typically easy to open and because they don’t open outwards, it’s easy to add screens if needed.
A sliding window has one to two elements that slide horizontally across to facilitate ventilation in a room. They are typically easy to open and because they don’t open outwards, it’s easy to add screens if needed.
Awning window
An awning window is a type of casement window that is hinged at the top, rather than the side, of so that it opens like an awning. They can conveniently be left open even when it rains as the glass panes protect the interior of the home.
An awning window is a type of casement window that is hinged at the top, rather than the side, of so that it opens like an awning. They can conveniently be left open even when it rains as the glass panes protect the interior of the home.
Bi-fold window
A bi-fold window consists of a series of individual glass panels that fold or concertina along a sill track, and can be pushed to one or both sides of the structural opening. They can help create the illusion of a larger space, as the wall opening does not have obstructive structural posts.
A bi-fold window consists of a series of individual glass panels that fold or concertina along a sill track, and can be pushed to one or both sides of the structural opening. They can help create the illusion of a larger space, as the wall opening does not have obstructive structural posts.
Stacking window
Stacking windows look like sliding windows but contain more moving panels. They are often comprised of two or more panels that slide behind one fixed panel or structural element. Each panel collects and interlocks with the next panel, causing it to slide. Sliding windows can be fully recessed into the framework so they completely disappear, maximising the space of the opening.
Stacking windows look like sliding windows but contain more moving panels. They are often comprised of two or more panels that slide behind one fixed panel or structural element. Each panel collects and interlocks with the next panel, causing it to slide. Sliding windows can be fully recessed into the framework so they completely disappear, maximising the space of the opening.
Internal window
Windows don’t just have to be on the exterior walls of a building, they can also comprise a full interior wall, or at least part of it. This physically divides spaces into rooms without obstructing natural light and visual space.
Windows don’t just have to be on the exterior walls of a building, they can also comprise a full interior wall, or at least part of it. This physically divides spaces into rooms without obstructing natural light and visual space.
Transom window
A transom window is the sectional glass pane that sits atop the crossbeam of a door, and sometimes another window. This rectangular or fan-shaped glass panel, used in both interior and exterior architecture and design, allows extra light and ventilation into a home. Transom windows can sometimes be in the form of an awning window, opening with a top hinge.
Lighten up a room with a transom window
A transom window is the sectional glass pane that sits atop the crossbeam of a door, and sometimes another window. This rectangular or fan-shaped glass panel, used in both interior and exterior architecture and design, allows extra light and ventilation into a home. Transom windows can sometimes be in the form of an awning window, opening with a top hinge.
Lighten up a room with a transom window
Frosted window
Frosted windows are glass panes that have had an applied coating to reduce their transparency to varying degrees. Frosted windows can boost the privacy of room while still allowing plenty of natural light in.
Frosted windows are glass panes that have had an applied coating to reduce their transparency to varying degrees. Frosted windows can boost the privacy of room while still allowing plenty of natural light in.
Picture window
A picture window is a large glass pane that does not open. While they don’t allow for ventilation, they do allow for natural light, a visual connection between the indoors and outdoors, and hopefully fantastic views.
A picture window is a large glass pane that does not open. While they don’t allow for ventilation, they do allow for natural light, a visual connection between the indoors and outdoors, and hopefully fantastic views.
Ribbon window
A ribbon window has a long horizontal and short vertical frame and were recommended by Modernist architect Le Corbusier in his 1920s manifesto Five Points of Architecture. He proposed that these long strips of glass pane would illuminate spaces equally. In addition to light, ribbon windows can be used to emphasise the shape of a room and enhance the view.
Ribbon windows: the long and short of it
A ribbon window has a long horizontal and short vertical frame and were recommended by Modernist architect Le Corbusier in his 1920s manifesto Five Points of Architecture. He proposed that these long strips of glass pane would illuminate spaces equally. In addition to light, ribbon windows can be used to emphasise the shape of a room and enhance the view.
Ribbon windows: the long and short of it
Low-set window
Low-set windows are those that are set low in the wall, often meeting the seam of the floor. Functionally, these unexpected windows let natural light into a room, offer views of the ground and perhaps footsteps outside, while still protecting privacy. They also allow for unbroken wall space above the windows, which can be well suited for hanging art.
Low-set windows are those that are set low in the wall, often meeting the seam of the floor. Functionally, these unexpected windows let natural light into a room, offer views of the ground and perhaps footsteps outside, while still protecting privacy. They also allow for unbroken wall space above the windows, which can be well suited for hanging art.
Leadlight window
Leadlights are decorative windows made of small pieces of glass – clear or coloured, plain, textured, bevelled or etched – enclosed by lead frames (called cames). They are generally non-pictorial (unlike stained-glass windows); rather, they feature geometric designs and stylised plant motifs that often reflect the decorative and architectural style of a period.
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Leadlights are decorative windows made of small pieces of glass – clear or coloured, plain, textured, bevelled or etched – enclosed by lead frames (called cames). They are generally non-pictorial (unlike stained-glass windows); rather, they feature geometric designs and stylised plant motifs that often reflect the decorative and architectural style of a period.
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What kind of windows are in your home? Upload photos and share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse a gallery of window seats
A sash window has one moveable element and one fixed element, and usually, the lower portion of the window can slide up and down for ventilation. Sash windows hail from England in the 1600s and they typically have separate panes of glass set within a wooden framework.