With so many replacement windows on the market knowing which one is right for YOU and your home can seem a bit murky at times. And if you think that the person selling you the windows has your best interest in mind, I would think again.
Not all,but, most window salesman really don’t have your best interest in mind they have what they sell and want you to by it. Right now we are going to cover the most common styles of windows in a home and what are the pros and cons for each.
By the end you will have a clear understanding of what window is best suited for you.
Double Hung Replacement Windows
Double hung windows blend in well with a diversity of architectural styles so they will have a high likelihood of complementing the look of your home, whether it is modern or classic. They come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes which adds to their flexibility. They made in a slew of materials too, like aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl, and wood.
You have a lot of options when choosing double hung replacement windows, and they are naturally good for a number of architectural styles to begin with. One of the best features of double hung windows is that the lower and upper sashes function independently. That means they’re very easy to clean. Some models even feature removable sashes or a.k.a. tilt sashes so you can detach them from the frame and clean the glass even easier.
Double hung’s are also extremely good for weatherproofing. Some models even allow you to have quadruple weather stripping. This will stop cold air from getting in your home and warm air from getting out of your hair.
On the downside, weather stripping can ware out over time and may need replacing. Also if the window is not well made where the 2 sashes meet can leak air. But overall a double hung is a great and very common window in homes. If you have them already in your home I would not change, just do your homework and get a quality replacement.
Casement Replacement Windows
Casement windows are hinged on one side so that you can allow the window to swivel out like a door. This is most typical window that you see in the western half of the United States, and it is also seen in newer homes. It is a more modern or contemporary design, and it lets more of the air and sun to get through.
They are also among the most energy efficient windows because when they are closed and locked they create a great weather tight seal. They have a hinge mechanism that also it to be opened fully and let more air in than any other window in when ventilation is wanted.
Casement replacement windows are great choices for areas that you want a lot of ventilation or can be hard to reach and open like bathrooms, over appliances, and kitchen skins. They crank open a little bit or a full 90 degrees ,and are easy to open and close. They require very little maintenance too.
A few cons would be that they are more expensive that double hung windows. They require a stronger frame and more hardware. Also the hardware can ware out over time and need replacing. Another thing to keep in mind is what is on the outside of the casement window. Like a deck or patio where people are and the open window could hinder traffic flow.
Sliding Replacement Windows
Sliding windows open horizontally along the window frame. They are sort of like double hung windows, but they open side-to-side instead of opening up and down. These windows are often large and used to brighten a room or frame a view, but there are a ton of advantages to them beyond aesthetics.
Some of the pros of a sliding window are they have less parts than conventional windows so they are low-maintenance and less expensive for residential homes and condos. They are very durable, energy-efficient, and easy to use. Sliding replacement windows open and close easily with minimal dexterity and effort. A good one will open and close quite simply.
The disadvantage to the sliding replacement window is that cleaning the outside of the windows can be hard, especially during the winter. Other kinds of windows can be tilted inside, but slider windows only slide from side-to-side.
They also require some maintenance to keep the working smoothly. The tracks can fill with dirt from outside dust and cause the window to not work smoothly anymore. I addition if the weep holes get clogged water can build up in the frame and cause a leak in the house or go unnoticed and cause major wood rot.
Awning Replacement Windows
Awning windows are similar to classic casement windows, but there is one huge difference. Casement windows work off of the hinges that are mounted on the side, and awning windows pivot from the hinges that are mounted on top.
They have about the same level of popularity as traditional casement windows, even though there are some disadvantages like limited placement and airflow. They are also typically either square or rectangle with the width being greater than the height.
Awning replacement windows have several advantages. They can be placed higher on walls than other types of windows. When they’re placed high up, awning windows can offer natural ventilation and light, and you won’t compromise privacy either. The high placement also lets you have the optimal amount of wall space for different design aspects like furniture placement and art. There also great bedrooms on the wall with the bed is.
Another one of the disadvantages is that they need frequent washing. Open sashes on the windows are often exposed in a horizontal state allowing dust and water to sit on them. They only open about a third on the way out, so they can get dirtier a lot faster than other kinds of windows and could require regular washing if dirty glass bothers you.
Basement Replacement Windows
Basement windows primarily come 2 ways. One common way is a sliding window in the other is what’s known as a hopper window. The hopper window is the basement window that I recommend and that i’m going to talk about here for a moment.
The Hopper window like and awning window’s typically wider that it is higher, but, the big difference is that the sash opens into the room with the pivot point being on the bottom of the window.
Basement replacement windows are different from other kinds of windows in that they have lower placement than most other types of windows, and some are even placed in underground wells.
Because of their common position, there are a slew of disadvantages and advantages to them. They offer good ventilation. Whether or not the basement is finished or unfinished, the right kind of ventilation is required to cut down on musty odors, to let fresh air in. This is especially important if someone lives in the space.
One of their disadvantages is that there are some security problems. Basement windows let air and light in, but, they can also let intruders into the home. If the basement is used for storage only, then an intruder can enter into and hide out for hours without ever being discovered. If this is a concern for you they do make window bars that are easily installed that look halfway decent.
Wrap Up
Now that we have gone over the pros and cons of the most common home windows you should have a clear understanding of what’s best for your situation. If you are replacing windows that already exist typically people are just swapping them out for what’s already their.
If you want to change from the existing type you have the most economical change would be changing a double hung for a casement or vice versa. If you want to take a single double hung and put a slider in its place that is going to be a much more expensive project because most likely re-framing of the window opening is going to be necessary.
You have any questions on what’s best for your situation please visit me on Facebook where answering questions all the time.
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