The Best Types of Windows For Your Home Style

Parts of a Window: Terms You Need to Know

In order to understand the HOMR guide to popular home windows, there are a few terms and phrases you need to know upfront.

What is a window sash? Are a window sash and window casing the same thing?

A sash is a core part of the design of many windows. The sash is the part of your window that holds the glass in place — usually a 4-sided frame with vertical and horizontal sides.

A window’s casing surrounds the sash. You’ll also hear it referred to as the window’s frame.

What is a hung window?

A hung window features window sashes that slide up and down. Single hung windows have one moveable sash, where only one part of your window slides. Double hung windows have two moveable sashes so both parts of your window can slide up and down.

What is a window muntin?

Muntins are the vertical and horizontal dividers that separate panes of glass in your window in the interior of your home. While the sash holds your window together from the outside, muntins hold together individual panes of glass from the inside.

HOMR ranked the 5 most popular window materials for durability, energy efficiency and price. See why we think vinyl windows are the best choice for most American homeowners, and how materials like fiberglass and aluminum stack up.

America’s 10 Most Popular Types of Windows

You’ll see these window styles in most American homes. But what makes a bay window and a bow window different? Why are casement windows so popular? 

Meet the 10 most popular types of window for home installation, learn their positive and negative traits, and see photo examples of each.

Awning Window

An awning window swings outward from the bottom, due to hinges at the top of its frame. They’re usually wider than they are tall, with a single sash and a hand crank mechanism.

Best Use: Awning windows work well near ceilings (think “further up your wall”). They do well to increase ventilation higher in your space — if you need a well-lit area for warm air to escape, awning windows can help cool a room in summer months.

Pros: The angled opening on awning windows is a natural rain deterrent. Many homeowners leave their awning windows open during light showers. Placing awning windows high on your walls leaves plenty of open room for wall art, light fixtures and televisions.

Cons: It’s hard to clean the exteriors of awning windows. Since they swing upward from the bottom, reaching the outside can be difficult. They do not qualify as an egress window and cannot be designated as a fire escape path.

Bay Window

A bay window is made up of three sections — a center picture window, and two casement or double hung windows on either side. These windows project outward from your room space. This “bump out area” creates a bay along your wall.

Best Use: Use a bay window in areas with an excellent outside view. Build in a cove seating area to enjoy the light and the view. Bay windows look especially good in mid-century modern homes, or as part of a ranch home design.

Pros: Installing a bay window may increase your home’s square footage — and therefore, your property value. The bay alcove creates new design space for a breakfast nook, sitting area or extra storage. They add a great deal of natural light.

Cons: Bay windows require a strong structural base and should not be installed in homes with questionable foundations. They also require custom drapery and can let in an undesirable amount of UV rays and ambient light.

Bow Window

Think of a bow window as a “curved bay window”. Rather than the three-window angular design of a bay window, bow windows can feature 4-6 windows that combine for a sweeping arch with less severe corners. 

Best Use: Got a room with a view? You can’t beat a bow window in a scenic environment.Install one on the east side of your home for maximum sunlight. Bow windows are closely associated with Victorian homes, and also look great in historic homes. 

Pros: Bow windows provide a seamless panoramic view — if the sightlines outside your home are stunning, a bow window enhances the view. An increased amount of windows also allows a great deal of ambient light into your home.

Cons: If cost is a factor, choose bay windows over bow windows. The more windows involved, the pricier your bow window design becomes. Bow window installation is highly complex and cannot be handled by a handyman or less experienced professional.

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Compare the price difference between bow and bay windows with a free quote from HOMR!

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Casement Window

Unlike other windows, a casement window has hinges on its sides and opens horizontally to the left and right. They’re generally opened with a crank, and are held open by a casement stay. Casement windows are often larger than standard picture windows.

Best Use: Casement windows are excellent decorative pieces that are easier to open in hard-to-reach places. Use them above cabinets or in areas of your home where you want plenty of light and ventilation.

Pros: Casement windows are energy efficient due to their tight weather seals. They provide good ventilation with minimal effort exerted by the user, and offer a unique visual effect (opening to the sides instead of sliding up and down).

Cons: Be sure to choose casement windows with multiple locking points. Casement windows with a single locking point are not as secure and can be breached from the outside.

Dormer Window

A dormer window projects out over the slope of a pitched roof, with the window vertically oriented within the construction. The dormer has its own roof, which is usually angled or flat. 

NOTE: Dormers aren’t limited to one particular window style — they’re a place windows are installed. You’ll see the phrase “dormer window” used to define the windows for dormer installation. These are usually single hung, double hung and casement windows.

Best Use: Dormer windows create extra headroom in attic and upper story rooms. The word dormer comes from the same root as “dormitory” — naturally, it’s best utilized to create extra space and a new window in a bedroom.

Pros: Dormers increase interior space in rooms that sorely need it and provide extra light to darker areas of your home. A well-constructed dormer can increase your home value by 15-20%.

Cons: Dormers can be expensive to install, and you’ll need a permit from your town’s building department — the overall square footage of your home’s interior will change. Poorly installed dormers are prone to leaks.

Double Hung Window

Double hung windows feature two movable sashes and no fixed panes of glass. Both portions of a double hung window can slide up and down, offering greater flexibility for cleaning and air flow control. Double hung windows are usually offered in larger sizes than single hung windows.

Best Use: Double hung windows are ideal for second story and third story windows, as they’re simple to clean from indoors. They perform well in bedrooms and bathrooms, where maximum ventilation and air flow are preferred. 

Pros: Double hung windows provide excellent air flow, letting hot air rise to escape out the top sash and cool air in through the bottom sash. They’re also a breeze to clean from inside or outside, as double hung windows have tilt latches for easy reach. 

Cons: Double hung windows are more expensive than single hung windows, due to the increased complexity of construction. There are also more chances for air leaks and improper sealing on the upper perimeter of double hung windows.

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Double hung windows are America’s #1 window choice - get your installed with a free quote!

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Picture Window

Picture windows are large, stationary panes of glass. As a fixed window, it doesn’t open, close or move. Its single function is to provide a large, gorgeous outside view and plenty of natural light for your interior design.

Best Use: Place a picture window somewhere you find yourself every day — above your kitchen sink, next to your dining table or across from your living room sofa. Align several picture windows in a row to create a sunroom for reading and relaxing.

Pros: Even though picture windows are large, they’re generally quite affordable — you’re not buying any hardware that opens and closes. They provide incredible outdoor views and ambient light.

Cons: Picture windows are stationary and provide no ventilation. If poorly installed, a large picture window is a source of air leaks and water leaks at its edges. Be sure to use energy efficient window treatments to prevent heat loss and keep your energy bills manageable.

Skylight

A skylight window is placed on your ceiling to provide direct natural sunlight and an open feel to your room design. Skylights are installed in several forms, including fixed skylights that remain closed and ventilating skylights that open and close.

Best Use: Face your skylight in the direction you wish to receive more sun. If you want morning light, point your skylight east. Face it to the west for an afternoon glow. Motorized blinds or cellular shades help prevent heat loss in the winter.

Pros: Skylights are highly versatile pieces in home design. Install them in any room that touches your roof to increase ambient light and open your home’s flow. They’re used with dramatic effect on high ceilings, especially vaulted and cathedral ceilings.

Cons: Skylights aren’t very energy efficient and are often sources of air leaks and UV glare. Enhance your skylights with energy efficient window treatments, glazing or a protective window film. Hire a professional skylight installer to avoid leaks and roof damage.

Sliding Window

Unlike sash windows and hung windows, a sliding window rolls open horizontally. They slide along a top and bottom track system and are used by homeowners who want unobstructed outdoor views and heightened ventilation.

Best Use: Want the view of a picture window and to let the outside air in your home? A sliding window is a wonderful feature in living rooms, sunrooms, and other sitting areas where you want to create an indoor-outdoor design flow.

Pros: Sliding windows offer incredible ventilation and flexibility. Open one slightly for a gentle breeze, or roll it fully open to let the air and sunshine flow into your home. They have fewer pieces than other types of window and are rather low-maintenance. 

Cons: If your sliding window cracks or breaks, you’ll have to replace the entire thing. Slider windows are often difficult to clean, especially on the outside of your home. 

Did You Know? Adding energy efficient window treatments to your new windows can save 18-20% on annual home energy bills. See why we love plantation shutters and cellular shades in HOMR's window treatment rankings.

Storm Window

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Storm windows exist as a support to your home windows. They are mounted on the exterior of your existing windows to provide added insulation, wind protection and reduce heat loss.

Best Use: Install a storm window anywhere you notice heat escaping from your home, or in areas where severe weather stands to damage your windows. They help increase energy efficiency in drafty areas of your house.

Pros: Storm windows offer added protection and help decrease your home heating and cooling bills by reducing air leaks. They’re far less expensive than buying replacement windows.

Cons: Don’t go too cheap on storm windows. It’s easy to find plastic options with PVC glazing, but these options are unreliable and have a very short lifespan. Clear plastic storm windows lose their transparency quickly.

The right window treatments keep home energy costs down, prevent drafts and limit UV exposure in your house. Read the updated HOMR Guide to the best energy efficient window treatments for homeowners.

3 Classic Window Styles for Historic Homes

Modern window styles don’t look quite right when designing or remodeling a historic home. Turn to conventional options like sash windows and single hung windows to maintain a traditional look and feel of older homes, especially manors and estates. If you have a Tudor style home, cottage windows are the perfect fit.

Let’s examine the pros and cons of these 3 classic window styles.

Cottage Window

A cottage window is a double hung window that slides open vertically. The upper sash consists of several panels and is smaller than the lower sash, which only has one panel. A series of glazing bars separates the panels on the upper sash.

Best Use: Cottage windows are frequently found in Craftsman style homes, Tudors and bungalows. Yes, this is a diverse set of home styles — but they all benefit from the charming nature of this window style. 

Pros: Cottage windows are similar to casement windows in their ability to provide good ventilation and natural light. They’re often cheaper than traditional casement windows, and have a ton of curb appeal on the right house.

Cons: Simply put, cottage window cleaning stinks. Cottage windows also require a reasonable amount of upkeep due to their construction — two uneven sliding panels equals more friction on your hinges.

Sash Window

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Sash windows are traditional windows that open and close vertically. They contain two window sashes — one positioned slightly in front of the other to allow movement. Sash windows move along a grooved edge and use a cord-and-pulley counterbalance system to help users open and close them.

Best Use: Sash windows are found in traditional home design and are popular in manor and colonial style homes. Use them front-facing windows with interior drapes for a classic, timeless feel.

Pros: Sash windows are generally secure and hard to breach from the outside, especially when locked in position. They’re also low-maintenance, easy to clean and don’t need sealant or stain.

Cons: Sash windows can get expensive, especially if they’re adorned with decorative bars. They only offer moderate ventilation, and their construction can lead to moisture issues. Condensation gets trapped between the offset panes of glass.

Single Hung Window

Also known as a single sash window, a single hung window has a movable lower sash and fixed upper sash. This means the bottom part of your window slides up and down, while the top part of the window remains fixed in place.

Best Use: Single hung windows look best in traditional homes like cottage style and ranch style. They’re best utilized in single-story homes, where it’s easier to clean them from the exterior.

Pros: Single hung windows are cheaper and easier to install than double hung windows. They also are slightly more efficient in avoiding air leaks than double hung windows. 

Cons: Single hung windows are a bit old-fashioned in style, and don’t look right in modern home designs. They’re also much harder to clean and tough to repair — if the bottom sash breaks, the whole window must be replaced.

Start your historic home remodeling project with a free project quote.

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3 Accent Windows to Amplify Your Home Style

Want to amp up your home design with statement windows without copying your neighbor’s bay windows? These 3 styles of accent windows add serious curb appeal and visual interest to your home.

Garden windows, shaped windows and transom windows each have distinct pros and cons that define their shape and style. 

Garden Window

Garden windows jut out from the side wall of your home, like a bay window or bow window does. The enlarged sill area of the window space houses potted plants, flowers and other seedlings, giving them a natural source of light and ventilation.

Best Use: A garden window over your kitchen sink is a wonderful addition — grow your fresh basil, thyme and other herbs there and harvest them as needed! 

Pros: The size and shape of garden windows creates a natural greenhouse effect, which warms and nurtures your household plants. They provide enhanced lighting and wall space, much like a bay window.

Cons: A garden window isn’t as popular as a bay window, and it’s more difficult to install — or find a contractor to build one. If your garden window is high on the wall, it can be tricky to reach into the window sill and clean properly.

Shaped Windows 

Shaped windows are a broad category that applies to arched, round and oval-shaped windows. They’re more about form and beauty than function, and are usually fixed panes of glass. 

DID YOU KNOW? Shaped windows can get expensive! One curved window (arch style) in the historic district of downtown Dallas cost nearly $8,000!

Best Use: Got a specific area of your house where standard windows don’t fit? Use a custom shaped window to let in natural light and create a statement piece.

Pros: Shaped windows create solutions where they don’t otherwise exist. An arched radius window (with a square bottom and half-circle on top) creates a lovely moment above door frames and other square windows.

Cons: Custom windows are expensive. Don’t expect anything other than aesthetic value and some natural light from your shaped window — they rarely open and close.

Transom Window

Transom windows are decorative windows placed above doors or other windows. They’re often rectangle or semi-circle shaped, and are named for the transom beam that separates your door frame or window from the wall above it.

Best Use: Install transom windows to give your existing home design some architectural flair. If your home is full of drab, identical windows, a transom window instantly changes the appearance of an entire room.

Pros: A transom window allows extra ambient light in above your existing door or window, and can be installed higher on your wall than most other window options. They offer a sense of nostalgia and have an old-world design feel.

Cons: Transom windows don’t look right in rooms with low ceilings. They also require consistent dusting, which is irritating if they’re hard to reach. Most transom windows provide no ventilation.

You just spent thousands on new windows — learn how to keep them spotless with HOMR’s homeowner checklist for deep cleans and regular cleans.

5 Rare but Interesting Window Styles to Consider

Looking for an outside-the-box window style to create a conversation piece in your home? Try one of these 5 less common types of windows in your house.

Clerestory Window

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Clerestory windows are installed in rows at the top of a wall to guide your eyes upwards. They sit just below the roof line, and are used to let in ambient light without too much direct sunshine.

Best Use: Use rows of clerestory windows to provide accent light to a room with plants, artwork or interesting design elements. They’re a substitute for skylights for homeowners that don’t want to cut into their roofs. Face your clerestory windows south for maximum light exposure.

Pros: Clerestory windows let in more light without sacrificing wall space. They’re great for privacy, as they’re too high to create a direct line of sight into your home.

Cons: Heat rises — with clerestory windows high on your walls, heat loss during the winter is a real concern. Make sure they’re installed into a very well-insulated wall.

Egress Window

An egress window is designed to provide an emergency exit in rooms that need extra “escape routes” in case of catastrophe. For example, egress windows are required in all fully finished basements without a suitable exit to the outside.

Best Use: An egress window must fully open and meet building code and safety requirements. These requirements vary slightly depending where you live — a good rule of thumb is a minimum width of 20”, minimum height of 24”, and minimum net clear opening of 6 square feet.

Pros: Egress windows save lives. They don’t just help your family escape a fire or flood, they allow firefighters into your home when disaster strikes. 

Cons: It’s inconvenient to install a basement egress window, as it requires digging and cutting through basement walls. Ultimately, the work is worth the safety it provides your home.

Glass Block Window

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Glass block windows are thick, non-transparent features. They’re installed as rows of thick glass blocks which let light in but do not allow visibility in or out.

Best Use: Glass block windows are mainly used for security and privacy. They’re used in street-facing windows in heavily trafficked areas, or as interior wall pieces on rooms which require privacy, like a bedroom or bathroom.

Pros: Excellent privacy while maintaining a source of natural light. Used in the right location, glass block windows can add artistic value to your home. 

Cons: Glass blocks are difficult to install, and the materials themselves are more expensive than other window styles due to their weight and thickness. You’ll need to reseal your glass block windows every 3-5 years.

Hopper Window

A hopper window opens into your home, not outwards. They can open from either the top or bottom. It’s rare to find hopper windows larger than 1 foot tall by 3 feet wide — they’re quite narrow and small.

Best Use: Hopper windows are commonly found in bathrooms, where they provide light and ventilation without sacrificing privacy. 

Pros: Hoppers allow air flow without taking up large amounts of wall space. They can be placed above larger stationary windows to add ventilation.

Cons: You’ll clean hopper windows a lot. They open into your home, so debris and external materials are more likely to blow into (and onto) your window.

Jalousie Window

Also known as a louvered window, a jalousie window features horizontal slats designed to keep rain out while letting a breeze in. They are operated with a hand crank that determines the angle of the slats, and were common in warm climate coastal homes up until the 1970s.

Best Use: Jalousie windows are less common due to the rise of air conditioning, but they still look great on coastal homes. Use them for a classic “beach house” feel in a sunroom, sitting room or enclosed porch.

Pros: Jalousie windows are low maintenance and the slats are easy to open and clean. They create a wonderful breeze in your home, and act as a substitute for air conditioning on mild spring and summer days.

Cons: Jalousie windows can be hard to find as they’re less popular than 50 years ago. They’re also quite drafty and inefficient, and your home will leak cool air in the summer months.

Get your replacement window project started with a free service quote now!

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Which Window Style is Right For Your House?

We identified the top 10 most popular house styles - chances are you live in one of them. Here's a list of the best types of windows for each style of home:

Ranch

A ranch style home is a single-story house that features an open floor plan and low-pitched roof. Many ranch homes are constructed in an L or U shape, and their floor plans are wide but not extremely deep.

Best Windows for a Ranch: Go with double hung windows as your primary design option. Want to think outside the box? Ranch homes are great places to install garden windows and bay windows.

Craftsman

Craftsman style homes are notable for several design features — namely a covered front porch, exposed rafters and other construction elements, and triangular gable roofs. The craftsman style incorporates natural and earth-toned design features and building materials, like stone and wood beams.

Best Windows for a Craftsman: Try a cottage window as a less conventional option in your Craftsman home. For a traditional approach, casement and double hung windows always look great on a Craftsman.

Mid-Century Modern

The mid-century modern style adopts a wide, low footprint with flat surface planes and large open design areas. Mid-century modern homes are renowned for expansive window features — many feature floor-to-ceiling windows with wonderful views.

Best Windows for Mid-Century Modern: Classic double hung windows are a great choice for mid-century modern architecture. If you want an updated look and feel, go with horizontal sliding windows.

Modern Farmhouse

A modern farmhouse takes country style into the 21st century with a bright white and neutral color palette. While the floor plan and layout of the home is traditional, a modern farmhouse incorporates transitional design elements, clean lines and contemporary lighting.

Best Windows for a Modern Farmhouse: Casement windows are the go-to window style for modern farmhouses. If you want a more rustic feel, opt for single hung windows with muntins.

Cottage

Cottage homes are quaint, single-family houses of 1 to 1 ½ stories. Cottages are known for unique, asymmetrical designs with a focus on functional layouts. Expect to see gabled roofs, covered porches and exposed brick chimneys.

Best Windows for a Cottage Home: Use sash and casement windows in cottage home design, and add a single bay window for some architectural interest.

Are your new windows part of a larger remodeling project? If you're a Dallas homeowner, check out our updated buying guide to the top Dallas remodeling companies before you hire a contractor!

Colonial

Colonial homes are stately, manor-style houses with symmetrical, squared-off design features. Colonials include a central front entrance, an array of symmetrically-placed windows, and simple traditional design elements.

Best Windows for a Colonial: Colonial homes primarily feature double sash windows — and plenty of them. 

Cape Cod

The classic Cape Cod home style is a one-story or two-story house with a broad, rectangular profile. Hallmarks of Cape Cod design include a large feature chimney, steep-angled shingle roof, and understated exterior decor.

Best Windows for a Cape Cod: You'll often find dormer windows in Cape Cod design. Look at hopper windows for added ventilation and privacy in bathrooms and rooms with low ceilings.

Tudor

A Tudor style home features decorative timber beams set into stone or stucco exterior walls, topped with a sharp-angled gable roof. This mixed-media facade is matched with decorative chimneys, masonry work and elaborate front doorways.

Best Windows for a Tudor: Cottage windows look great on a Tudor style home — many original English Tudor homes feature cottage windows. 

Mediterranean

Mediterranean homes are a takeoff of coastal design, known for light and free-flowing use of space. Mediterranean style often includes terra cotta roofs, stone walls, decorative tile floors, and dramatic arched doorways.

Best Windows for a Mediterranean: Use big casement windows for dramatically tall, narrow light sources. Use a custom arched window to mirror the sloping lines of the architecture.

Contemporary

Contemporary is the most broadly-defined style of home, generally marked by sustainable and eco-friendly design elements. Contemporary homes involve minimal design, clean lines, natural materials and high-end quality finishes.

Best Windows for a Contemporary Home: Energy efficiency is the name of the game in contemporary home windows. Pair highly efficient casement windows with a statement sliding window or two for a beautiful, airy contemporary home.