Choosing The House Windows Types

Fenestration, meaning the design and placing of windows in a building form a very important part of any house. Windows can make or mar not only the exteriors but also the interiors of a house. The placing and functioning of windows make a room lively or may give it a very gloomy look.

Windows can broadly be classified into three categories:

Some can slide up and down, while others can slide from end to end and the third category where they swing out or in on the hinges. The last category is more popularly known as casement windows.

The antiquated but charming double-hung windows that slide up and down have many positive features. They are easy to operate, are not so expensive and can be weather tight if installed properly. The variety that comes fitted with weights and pulling cords running over ball bearing are the best.

The sash balances type comes in a variety of models and generally gives a satisfactory performance, at least while they are new. They are operated by winding-unwinding of a spring. It is important to check that windows are provided with proper counterweights; else these won’t operate so conveniently.

At present the horizontally sliding windows are catching on as these aluminum windows generally go very well with the designing and interiors of a modern house. They may not be as dustproof and windproof as the double hung wooden windows, but move quite freely on nylon rollers provided for the purpose.

Aluminum does not require painting, so one doesn’t mind paying an extra amount at the time of purchase. If you take into account the periodic and somewhat recurring expense of painting a wooden window, you will appreciate that aluminum works out very economical over the years.

Well, there is a segment of people that considers metallic windows more suited to modern houses and contend that wood is outdated. That’s just a matter of personal opinion.

In extremely cold climatic conditions, wood is a better option. It is a poor conductor of heat and would not collect so much of frost in the inner side. Contrary to that, metals being good conductors of heat would rapidly transfer heat to outdoors and could collect substantial frost inside by condensing moisture from the warmer air of the room.

It largely depends on the choice and taste of the home owner. Both the types of windows will last equally well, perhaps for as long as the rest of the house. Use the one that you prefer for whatever reasons. It’s the size and positioning of a window that matters most, and not the frame.

An advantage of using glass blocks is that they have a decorative value besides letting in light but they fail to provide the much needed ventilation in a room.
A bathroom window fitted with translucent glass that has a textured surface will save the cost of curtains that are most often fixed with bathroom windows. This kind of glass is called as rolled glass, obscure glass or hammered glass. Its simpler versions are within the reach of any homeowner.

Casement Windows

Though the windows that open into or outside your room have a couple of advantages, they present their own limitations too. Those which open out of the room offer the advantage of occupying no room-space that could be put to some use. In short they are not obtrusive to the interiors and may be painted to make them weatherproof. A window that is hinged on the side or at the top offers the advantage of larger opening for incoming fresh air. On the other hand, a sliding window permits only half the opening for circulation of air.

If the sole purpose of having a window is to facilitate ventilation, a hinged casement window will be most effective. But the limitation of such a window is that it can’t be made air and water tight to incoming dust, rainwater and cold or hot air. Though weather stripping helps to achieve a better degree of tightness, it makes their operation a bit cumbersome.

The information provided above will help you make a better choice of windows to enhance the aesthetics of your home.