18 Types of Windows for Every Budget and Aesthetic Preference

Windows are one of the most essential fixtures in a home.
While they may not always be the focal point, choosing the right type, design, and installation for your windows can provide numerous natural functions and aesthetics.

In this article, we'll delve into some of the most common window types that cater to various budgets and aesthetic tastes.
If you're a homeowner planning a renovation, remodel, or simply want to make your windows stand out, read on.

18 Primary Window Types

Contrary to what the average homeowner might think, there are approximately 30 types of windows.
However, they can be categorized into 18 main types, as outlined below.

1.Single Hung Windows

Classic in design, single-hung windows remain highly prevalent in classic-styled homes and commercial settings. They essentially feature one sash for opening and closing.

Pros: Affordable, easy installation, energy-efficient, and versatile with interior decor. Suitable for small living spaces.

Cons: Limited ventilation and requires regular maintenance.

2.Double Hung Windows

An American staple, double-hung windows are favored for their functionality and practicality. Unlike single-hung, they feature both an upper and lower sash, allowing you to open one or both.

Pros: Improved ventilation, easier cleaning, energy-efficient, diverse styles, and budget-friendly. Ideal for limited spaces.

Cons: May not seal as tightly as other window types.

3.Arched Windows

Better known as cathedral-style windows, these windows evoke the imagery of standard church windows, featuring symmetrical sides and a rounded top.

Pros: Often non-operational, installed as secondary glazing to filter light. Modern versions now come with operable sashes.

Cons: Traditional arched windows are fixed and don't open.

4.Awning Windows

Often compared to funnel windows due to their hinged, outward-tilting nature, these windows give the illusion of a wider room.

Pros: Energy-efficient, better insulation, and helps prevent snow and water accumulation.

Cons: Expensive and difficult to clean, especially the exterior glass.

5.Bay Windows

Featuring a distinctive hexagonal shape that gives the window a relief-like appearance, bay windows come in various forms. In fact, they are a variant of projecting windows. Generally, they are a popular residential window type due to their unique appeal.

Pros: Adds room space and provides panoramic outdoor views.

Cons: Can obstruct outdoor space. High upfront, installation, and maintenance costs.

6.Bow Windows

A variant of bay windows, bow windows are curved instead of hexagonal, resembling a bow. They are also larger than standard bay windows.

Pros: Increases interior space, elegant appearance, ample natural light, and panoramic outdoor views.

Cons: Hard to maintain and costly upfront.

7.Casement Windows

A favorite due to their versatility, casement windows open outward from the side or top. Predominantly glass, they offer clear, unobstructed views.

Pros: Highly popular and considered one of the best choices for residential and commercial windows.

Cons: Higher installation costs and challenging maintenance. Costs can vary depending on the glass used.

8.Egress Windows

In terms of function and style, egress windows are at the cutting edge. Typically installed in basements or as small fire exit doors in emergencies, they offer excellent insulation and low maintenance.

Pros: Excellent insulation and low maintenance.

Cons: Installation requires excavation, increasing costs. Some states and countries mandate egress windows in home basements.

9.Garden Windows

As the name suggests, these windows are often used in gardens and greenhouses. They are typically clear glass, capturing sunlight from four angles.

Pros: Ideal for maximum natural light.

Cons: Installation can be challenging due to the need for durable structures. May obstruct outdoor views if not installed correctly.

10.Glass Block Windows

Now a popular choice due to their functionality and aesthetics, glass block windows are essentially frosted window panes, making the interior invisible from outside.

Pros: Filters unwanted light while adding a layer of security and privacy to your home.

Cons: Limited ventilation and may distort and scatter light.

11.Hopper Windows

The prototype of a tilted window, hopper windows have a hidden sash and a hinged bottom, allowing them to tilt inward. Aesthetically, their horizontal rectangular appearance suits modern minimalist homes.

Pros: Excellent insulation, energy-efficient, and low maintenance.

Cons: Poor at holding water during heavy rain. Limits privacy due to inward-tilting motion.

12.Louvre Windows

When it comes to ventilation, these windows are the top choice. Renowned for their wooden or acrylic louvers and parallel glass, they are easy to operate, with a central lever for manual closing, opening, and tilting.

Pros: Suitable for all types of classic and Asian interior designs. Provides ample airflow even during snowstorms and heavy rain.

Cons: Not the sturdiest or most secure.

13.Picture Windows

For those seeking uniqueness and high aesthetic value, picture windows are the way to go. Once installed, they are non-operational. Major adjustments, which come at a cost, are necessary for changes.

Pros: High energy efficiency and no need for curtains.

Cons: Poor ventilation.

14.Round Circle Windows

If you love Gothic and classic Victorian styles, this window type is timeless. Contrary to its name, it comes in perfect circles, as well as oval,半圆, and elliptical variations.

Pros: Ideal for expressing personality through windows. Provides natural light and adequate ventilation. Non-operational.

Cons: Fixed and cannot be opened or closed.

15.Skylight Windows

While egress windows are for basements, skylights are for attics. Popular for their high energy efficiency and abundant natural light, these window types offer unobstructed views of the sky, making good use of sunlight during the day and offering romantic starry views at night.

Pros: Perfect for cabins and decorative windows.

Cons: Installation and maintenance can be difficult. Relatively expensive.

16.Sliding Windows

Very common in residential settings, these windows cater to various designs and aesthetics. They come in single-panel, double-panel, and triple-panel sliders. Depending on the size of the house and the width of the window space, you have a free choice among different types of sliding windows.

Pros: Good light filtration as some are tinted. Low maintenance.

Cons: Poor ventilation and cannot prevent snow and rain infiltration.

17.Storm Windows

Ideal for insulation, these windows keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

Pros: Easy installation, affordable, and energy-efficient.

Cons: Not suitable for wooden exterior walls or frames. Condensation can damage wood. High maintenance costs.

18.Transom Windows

For feature windows with high aesthetic value, this is the window type to choose. In fact, transom windows are the most common type of feature window.

Pros: Good ventilation, ample natural light, and excellent insulation.

Cons: High installation costs and difficult to clean.

There are other window types not mentioned here.
If you want to explore more options, feel free to search for other window types not listed in this article.