A new window will consist of the sash (one or more) mounted in a frame which is made of the side jambs, top jamb, sill and operating mechanisms.
Double-Hung Windows consist of two sashes that slide vertically along side jambs with the bottom sash closing down on the sill and the top sash closing up against the top jamb. These provide moderate ventilation and can be difficult to clean unless the sash tilts in.
Slider Windows function like double-hung windows turned sideways.
Casement Windows usually consist of one sash hinged to a side jamb, and they usually open outward from the sill by crank handle or slider bar. Casement windows provide good ventilation and are fairly easy to clean, but they are a bit pricier because of the operating hardware.
Awning Windows consist of a sash hinged to the top jamb or the sill, which tilts out when it's opened using hardware similar to casement windows.
Transom Windows generally consist of short awning windows or fixed sashes mounted over normal sized casement or double-hung windows. They can be ordered as separate windows then set in the proper configuration during installation, or they can be custom ordered as a single unit, combining short and tall windows into a single frame at the factory.
Bay Windows consist of one or more sashes framed to bump out or protrude beyond a wall with angled or perpendicular side sashes running back to the wall.
Bow Windows are similar to bays, but the windows are framed to form a gradual arc instead of the sharp angles of a bay.
Multi-Wide Units result when you order two or more windows in a single unit or frame. They're joined at the factory with mullions separating the windows.
Window Finishes & Materials
Wood Windows are made of solid wood or wood products. They can usually be ordered with standard brick mold trim, custom trim if you need to match existing trim, or no exterior trim at all. They can also be ordered with a coat of primer, finish, or no finish at all. Painting is the main drawback for solid wood windows. Re-painting is usually required every 5-7 years.
Aluminum Cladding is a layer of aluminum applied to the exterior surfaces of a window (often wood core) to provide a durable, low-maintenance surface. However, there are less color options than with wood finishes. The more durable cladding consists of extruded aluminum as opposed to rolled aluminum. Also, thicker aluminum is more durable.
Aluminum Windows are made entirely of aluminum (except for the glazing), and they're available for specialized applications. They lack the insulating values of windows made of other materials so they're not widely used.
Vinyl Cladding is another popular low-maintenance cladding, and it can also be applied over other materials, like wood or wood products. As with aluminum cladding, the thicker the vinyl the more durable it will be.
Vinyl Windows are have no wood cores. They are energy efficient and low-maintenance alternatives which don't warp or rot.
Window Glazing Options
"Glazing" refers to the glass and the glass construction used in a window and it impacts both the look and energy efficiency of a window.
Double-Glazing is pretty much the standard for windows sold today. They're made by combining two layers of glass with a space between them to form a single window pane. That greatly increases the window's insulating value, as does the use of Argon Gas or other inert gases in the space between the layers of glass. A Low-E Coating is another option for keeping heat in or out (depending on the season) and for reducing ultraviolet penetration which can fade carpets and fabrics.
Triple-Glazing adds a third layer of glass to the glazing mix to increase the insulating value of the window. Despite that advantage it's less common because of the weight it adds to the window.
Safety Glass or Tempered Glass is required by code in certain applications, like in windows above bath tubs or where there is a danger that someone might accidentally walk through the glass.
Grilles are used to achieve the look of a divided lite window. They usually fit between a sash's rails and stiles, right over the interior surface of the glass, and they're generally removable. Grilles can also be glued to the glass's interior and exterior surfaces at the factory for a more realistic divided-lite appearance.
True Divided Lite Windows have individual sections of glass mounted in a single sash and separated by muntins. It's a more traditional style that was actually the cheaper alternative in the days when large sheets of glass were far more expensive than small ones. Nowadays it's a more expensive option because of the millwork involved.
Combination Storm Windows consist of a fixed glass sash mounted over a fixed screen sash, with a second operable glass sash in its own track to let fresh air in. Storm windows add insulating value to older windows but are somewhat redundant when used with energy-efficient windows.
Window Energy Ratings
The U-Factor is the most useful way to rate a window's energy efficiency. It's a measure of the tendency to conduct heat of an entire window (the glass AND the frame and sash components). The lower the U-Factor, the better insulating ability a unit has.
U-Factors are determined by the National Fenestration Rating Council, and the numbers should be indicated on an NFRC label on every window.
An efficient window may have a U-Factor of .35 or less. Less efficient units would have a higher U-Factor.
Double-Hung Windows consist of two sashes that slide vertically along side jambs with the bottom sash closing down on the sill and the top sash closing up against the top jamb. These provide moderate ventilation and can be difficult to clean unless the sash tilts in.
Casement Windows usually consist of one sash hinged to a side jamb, and they usually open outward from the sill by crank handle or slider bar. Casement windows provide good ventilation and are fairly easy to clean, but they are a bit pricier because of the operating hardware.
Transom Windows generally consist of short awning windows or fixed sashes mounted over normal sized casement or double-hung windows. They can be ordered as separate windows then set in the proper configuration during installation, or they can be custom ordered as a single unit, combining short and tall windows into a single frame at the factory.
Aluminum Cladding is a layer of aluminum applied to the exterior surfaces of a window (often wood core) to provide a durable, low-maintenance surface. However, there are less color options than with wood finishes. The more durable cladding consists of extruded aluminum as opposed to rolled aluminum. Also, thicker aluminum is more durable.
is pretty much the standard for windows sold today. They're made by combining two layers of glass with a space between them to form a single window pane. That greatly increases the window's insulating value, as does the use of Argon Gas or other inert gases in the space between the layers of glass. A Low-E Coating is another option for keeping heat in or out (depending on the season) and for reducing ultraviolet penetration which can fade carpets and fabrics.
Grilles are used to achieve the look of a divided lite window. They usually fit between a sash's rails and stiles, right over the interior surface of the glass, and they're generally removable. Grilles can also be glued to the glass's interior and exterior surfaces at the factory for a more realistic divided-lite appearance.
True Divided Lite Windows have individual sections of glass mounted in a single sash and separated by muntins. It's a more traditional style that was actually the cheaper alternative in the days when large sheets of glass were far more expensive than small ones. Nowadays it's a more expensive option because of the millwork involved.