How to Identify Different Window Types

Different styles of windows help make a house unique. Keeping those eye-catching design elements clean is as easy as calling our friendly professional teams at United Window Cleaning.

We feature an easy-to-use pricing tool online to help you budget for your next window cleaning. Not sure what type of windows your home has? No worries, we’ve put together a simple list of common window types for residential homes just like yours.

Single-hung and Double-hung

Single-hung and double-hung windows are classic styles found in many homes. Both slide vertically and feature an upper and lower sash in a rectangular or square frame, depending on the design. The glass may be divided into four or six sections or may be a single expanse. From afar, it’s hard to tell two apart. The difference between these two common window styles is that with the single-hung, the top half doesn’t move. It’s fixed into place. For a double-hung window, both its sashes slide up and down. Both single- and double-hung windows can be designed for the bottom sash to tilt out for easier cleaning.

Casement

A casement window doesn’t slide open. Instead, it has a crank that turns and pushes the window to open outward. It’s found more commonly in older homes, popular in the 1960’s and 1970’s in ranch and bungalow style homes. Often casement windows are rectangular shaped.

Egress

Egress windows are a type of safety window installed in the basement of the home to meet fire codes and allow for easy escape in the event of any emergency. If your basement has a bedroom, egress windows are a must and required to be installed. Egress windows may be slider windows or an in-swing window, which is similar to a casement window.

Slider

Slider or sliding windows are like a sliding patio door. There are two sections or single windows where one slides horizontally over the top of the second one when opening or closing the unit. These take up minimal vertical space and often are in homes with lower ceilings.

Awning and Hopper

The awning style window pushes open from the bottom, creating an “awning” look allowing air to flow up and into the room. The hopper style is the opposite. It opens from the top, much like a food bin or hopper — hence, its name. While both windows may be used for any room of the home, it’s typical to find them in a lower level or garage.

Picture

Picture windows usually are a large expanse of glass that does not open, but instead provides an amazing view and allows an abundance of light into the room. On average, you’ll find the picture window in the home’s living room, but it may also be installed in a kitchen area as well.

Bay or Bow

Bay or bow windows have a distinctive style and remain a favorite for homes of all ages and designs. These windows jut from the house and may combine two types of window. Usually in the center window is stationary, a smaller version of the picture window, and it’s flanked by two casement or double-hung windows. Bay windows are comprised of three windows, while a bow style will feature a four or six window set.

Jalousie

It’s more likely to find jalousie windows in an older home. Each unit has several slats of glass that open like louvered blinds. It’s uncommon to find this style in cooler climates like our Cincinnati region. Jalousie windows tend to be more popular in warmer climates because they don’t offer adequate insulation when the temperatures dip.

Arched and Palladian

Arched windows look like their name. It’s designed with an arched top that’s often separate from the bottom portion, which opens by sliding up or down. It can be a single- or double-hung. The Palladian is distinctive with an arched top that flows into a rectangular-shape. This section then is flanked by two smaller side panels that may open like a casement window.

Transom

Transom windows vary in size and shape. These simply are the windows often found above or beside a front entrance door or above the picture window in the living room.

Whatever type of windows your home has, trust their regular care and cleaning to United Window Cleaning. We offer a 100-percent guarantee. Call today to schedule an appointment.