There are many types of windows to choose from when selecting replacement windows for your home. It is important to know the benefits of each type, so you can make the right decision and choose the type of window that will be right for your application both functionally and aesthetically. As energy efficiency is our main priority, the main windows styles we focus on are:
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Hinged on the side like a door, opening outwards.
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Hinged on the top, opening outwards from the bottom.
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Non opening high profile frame matches opener for consistent glass lines and looks.
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Low frame profile, non opening, maximizes the amount of glass in the window
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Sash slides horizontally.
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Sash slides vertically.
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Top hinged, opening inwards.
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Casement windows are hinged on the side and swing outwards in the same fashion as a door. Casement windows allow for natural light and provide excellent airflow as they project out and catch the refreshing breeze. They are used in applications where the window is taller than it is wide, and is a perfectly acceptable option for a bedroom window providing it meets some additional size requirements. North Home casement windows come standard with crank style operators, as well as adjustable, multi-point lock, handle and hinges. There are both a sliding hinge and egress hinge available. The egress hinge is designed for narrow bedroom windows when the required fire escape area would otherwise be too narrow. The sliding hinge directs the sash a few inches towards the center of the window, allowing for airflow to enter on either side of the sash. This hinge also allows for cleaning the exterior glass from inside the home which is great when on 2nd stories or higher. An easy to remove insect screen is also included with all casements.
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Awning windows are hinged at the top and swing outwards. They are great options when an opening window is required that is wider than it is tall. The awning design allows for light and airflow into your living space while providing protection should it begin to rain. They are most commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms. Due to the nature of awning window hardware creating an obstruction for fire escape, these windows are no longer accepted by the National Building Code for bedroom window applications. North Home awning windows come standard with Truth Encore crank style operators, and Ferco adjustable multi-point locks, handles and hinges on both sides of the window. An easy to remove insect screen is also included with all awnings.
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A Fixed Sash window, is a non opening window which has a high-profile frame. This high-profile frame was offered to compliment the awning and casement windows. The fixed sash frame will have the same PVC frame height as that of the casement/awnings frame and sash to allow for consistency throughout your home and to have matching glass heights on combination windows. The trade off for consistency is less glass due to the thicker frame. As aesthetics are a personal preference, you must decide if you prefer matching window profiles throughout your home at the expense of giving up a little glass or added light on the non opening windows with the low profile picture windows. Fixed sash windows are commonly used in combination windows when the combination is a 50/50 split, or used on the non opening side of a 1/4-1/2-1/4 type of combination window where symmetry is desired.
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Picture windows are a non opening window with a narrow frame profile designed to maximize glass size, allowing for the highest amount of natural light and the most spectacular view. Picture windows do however have a different appearance from a casement or awning style window of the same size, as it will have less frame and more glass. When done as a 50/50 split combination design, the general consensus is that it looks out of proportion with one side looking bigger, even though they are the same size. It is more commonly used in a combination window with an offset design such as a 1/3-2/3, the center of a 1/4-1/2-1/4 design or just as a stand alone window.
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Hopper windows are hinged at the top like an awning, however they open towards the inside of the house. These are typically smaller basement windows. They are not considered a high-performance window and not designed with energy efficiency as the priority. Rather, this light duty frame allows for a larger opening area that will allow for more room as an emergency exit. They feature hardware that allows the window to latch in both a 45 degree opening as well as a 90 degree opening. An externally mounted insect screen is included with all hoppers.
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These windows are 2 (or more) sections in a track in where the sash slides either horizontally or vertically(hung). Like hoppers they are not a high-performance window system. They also have a very light frame which allows for the maximum opening area to use as an emergency exit. North Home focuses on high performance window systems due to the climate in which we operate and does not manufacture sliding windows but we are happy to provide them to our clients through a 3rd party if it is the necessary product for the application.
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Combination windows are multiple units “mulled” together to form one big complete window. This can include any combination of casements, awning, fixed sash or picture windows. They can be mulled horizontally or vertically or a combination of both depending on the size and application. When thinking about your window package, picture the current opening as a wide-open canvas that through the use of mullions your window can be designed to whatever your vision may be.
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Bay and Bow windows are made up of 3 or more sections that project out from the house in an angled fashion. They will either be cantilevered off of the house with a “head and seat” or may have floor joist extensions which allows for more floor space and a place to nestle in furniture. Bays and bows are simply combination windows with specifically designed mullions allowing for the change in angles. They also can be made up of any combination of casement, awnings, fixed sash or picture windows depending on sizes.
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Non opening windows can be built into specialty shapes such as peaked, trapezoid, rounded or arched configurations. Shaped windows can also be used as part of a combination window. Currently our shaped windows are only available as non opening windows.