After you’ve chosen the material for your window frames, and the options for the glass, the last, and possibly most important, choice is to decide on what style of window to go with. The eight most common window styles all have different things they excel at, setting them apart from the others.

Windows style

Double hung windows feature two sashes – the movable parts of the window, including the glass and the frame containing it – which slide vertically up and down in the window frame. They operate independently of each other, and stay within the frame; they do not protrude past the frame when the window is opened.

Casement windows are hinged on the side, and are operated with a crank. The window can be hinged either on the right or the left, depending on the orientation you prefer for the window.

Picture windows are fixed; they cannot be opened. They frame a view in the same way a picture frame encloses a photograph, thus the name. In addition to the view, they also let in more light than other windows. They work well with a modern or contemporary aesthetic, and are most often seen in homes made in those architectural styles.

Slider windows, also known as gliding windows, slide horizontally along a track; in the case of multiple sashes, at least one sash will be operable – any operable sashes will move past or over the others, whether or not they, too, can be slid open. This style of window is a common feature of contemporary and modern homes.

Bay and bow windows combine either a large, stationary middle window with two operable windows at the sides (bay window) or are made form four or more casement windows arranged in a curve (bow window). They protrude from the exterior wall of your home, which creates space on the inside that can be utilized in many different ways.