Double-hung windows are an American classic and are the most common type of window in the US today. Characterized mainly by two sashes that slide up or down (and in some units tilt in for easy cleaning), this window type is incredibly versatile. Double-hung windows may be installed in a series or individually.
Advantages of Double-Hung Windows
Traditional style. Double-hung windows blend well with most traditional architectural styles, especially colonial homes, but their simple lines give them a timeless appeal. They can be given a range of finishes, trims and accessories, but many homeowners also find the most basic build attractive.
Easy cleaning. Many newer double-hung window designs rotate and tilt inward, making them easy to clean thoroughly from inside your home. This means you won’t need to climb up a ladder or use special tools to reach the exterior sides of upper-story double-hung windows.
Ventilation control. Depending on your current ventilation needs, you can choose to open both sashes or just the top or bottom sash of a double-hung window. Units with tilt-in features can also be used to channel air flow more efficiently.
Double-hung windows don’t project when open, so there is no risk of accidentally hitting someone walking past. They are a good choice for families with smaller children or pets, because the top sash can be kept open all day without risk of kids or pets trying to climb out. Double-hung windows are also fully lockable.
Allowance for A/C and screens. The fact that they don’t project when open also means that double-hung windows can be used together with air conditioning units and screens without the need for major construction work.
Did You Know?
Double-hung windows were invented in the 17th century by Robert Hooke, the same jack-of-all-trades who discovered the law of elasticity (also known as Hooke’s Law).
They were invented to meet the demand for bigger windows. Casement windows, the most common type of window at the time, were limited in size because their hardware couldn’t support the weight of larger panes.
Double-hung windows solved this problem by keeping the sashes in the same plane as the frame and by utilizing a counterweight system for support.
Part 2: Casement Windows
Modern casement windows look very similar to picture windows in that they can have large continuous panes of glass (except in cases where muntins are desired for aesthetic reasons). The main difference is that casement windows can be opened.
Casement windows often open outward with the help of a crank and can be left-handed, right-handed or double. Because of its simple design, this window type can complement a wide variety of architectural styles.
Advantages of Casement Windows
Generous ventilation. Casement windows can be opened partially or all the way, allowing you to make the most of the openings in your walls. And when open, the hinged sash can catch and channel in even those breezes that don’t flow directly into your home.
Unobstructed views. Muntins, those strips of material that divide glass panes in a single window, are completely optional in casement windows, so they can provide unobstructed views of the outdoors even when closed.
Energy efficiency. Next to fixed-pane windows, casement windows are the most energy-efficient window style because the hinged sash is locked into the base. This forms a more or less airtight seal around the frame when closed. For better energy efficiency, choose units with energy-saving features like multiple panes, low-e glass, argon gas fills and thermally improved frames.
Ease of use. Casement windows are great for use in awkward places—like above counters and in tight spots where you can’t get enough leverage to open a double-hung window. They are so easy to operate, you can open them with just one hand.
Security. Casement windows have a hook-shaped locking mechanism embedded right into their frames. This makes the locks impossible to pry or pull out from the outside, which helps prevent break-ins.
Did You Know?
Casement windows were the earliest incarnation of movable windows. British and German windows of this style traditionally open outward, while French casement windows open inward. French doors evolved from double French casement windows, which have no center mullion, and offer easy access to balconies, porches and patios.
Part 3: Bow & Bay Windows
Bow and bay windows are a series of three or more windows installed as a single system. The main difference between the two types of systems is that bow windows are arranged in a gentle curve while bay windows are placed in a polygonal or more angular arrangement.
Bow windows are also usually made up of matching units while bay windows use two types: one large central window and an even number of matching windows flanking it.
Advantages of Bow & Bay Windows
Plenty of natural light. The way they are constructed allows bow and bay windows to capture more sunlight than a window set flush against a wall.
The illusion of space. Bow and bay windows jut out from exterior walls so the extra space isn’t entirely an illusion. Visually, though, the fact that they draw your eyes out further means that the room itself looks bigger. Combine this with the generous amount of natural light they let in and you have a room that feels even more spacious.
Pro Tip: You can turn the extra space into a reading nook or breakfast nook to add functionality to the room.
Versatility. Bow and bay windows are most often found in Victorian homes, but they can complement any architectural style so long as the individual window units work well with the home’s overall design. Additionally, you can add bow and bay windows to any part of your home, although they are most often used in kitchens and living rooms.
Ample ventilation. The configuration of bow and bay windows allow several openings through which air can flow in and out of a room. The fact that they can catch breezes from more than one direction helps, too.
Did You Know?
A bay or bow window that juts out of a building (usually from an upper level) but does not reach the ground is called an oriel window. These windows are supported by brackets, corbels, or similar structural members.
Also, bow and bay windows get mixed up all the time, but “bay” is actually the older term and may be used as the generic term for both configurations.
