Why Are There So Many Types of Windows for San Diego Homes?

If you’ve never taken a good look at the windows in your home, or if you’re the type of person who doesn’t open and close your windows frequently, you may not have noticed that several of the windows are different styles. You could have some that slide open horizontally, and others that slide up to open. Or you may have some that use a cranking mechanism to open and close. Then, there are windows that don’t open at all.

If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many different types of windows, this post is for you! Read on, and we’ll tell you about the most common types of windows found in San Diego homes, what their benefits are, and why they are used in certain rooms and not in others.

Picture Windows

Picture windows are the simplest types of windows out there. This is because there are no moving parts. You have one panel of glass, surrounded by a frame. Picture windows can come in any size. They’re great for rooms in which you want to have an unobstructed view of the outdoors.

The drawback of picture windows is that they provide no ventilation. They also could not be used as the only window in a bedroom, since building codes require that each bedroom in a home has an egress window that allows you to escape in case of fire.

Single and Double Hung Windows

Single and double hung windows are commonly found in small rooms such as bathrooms and small bedrooms. This is because they take up a relatively small amount of wall space since they are vertically oriented. (They’re taller than they are wide.) They have a top panel and a bottom panel of glass, each surrounded by its own frame. In a single hung window, only the bottom panel is operable, while in a double hung window, both panels are operable. The panels slide either up or down to open, overlapping the other panel.

You can sometimes find single or double hung windows flanking a picture window to add ventilation to a room.

Slider Windows

Sliders are another type of operable window, but unlike hung windows, they are oriented horizontally. This makes them great for larger rooms like living rooms and master bedrooms.

In a single lite slider, which is usually just called a “single slider,” there is one stationary panel and one operable panel of glass. The operable panel slides sideways on a track or in a groove in front of the stationary panel. Double sliders look very similar to single sliders. The difference is that both panels of glass are operable, so you can decide which side you want to open, or you can partially open each panel, allowing air to circulate from both sides of the window. Finally, in the slider category, you have 3-lite sliders. In this type of window, you have three panels of glass, with the center panel being stationary. The two outside panels can slide toward the center to open. A 3-lite slider is a great choice for a large room, in which you want to let in a good amount of natural light, as well as have the option for ventilation.

Casement and Awning Windows

For the most amount of ventilation in a single window, without sacrificing your view of the outdoors, you would want to choose a casement window or an awning window.

Casement windows open and close via a cranking mechanism, and swing open from one side on a hinge, similar to a door. You can find casement windows in any room in a home, including kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living and family rooms. There are a couple of things to keep in mind before you have a casement window installed in your home. First of all, you need to make sure that you have the clearance outside for your window to swing open. In other words, you wouldn’t want to install one in a high-traffic area, where someone could hit their head on it when open. In addition, casement windows have screens on the inside of the window. So if you have pets that tend to scratch at your windows, they could destroy the screens.

Awning windows operate similarly to casement windows. The only difference is that they are hinged at the top and when they are opened, they swing upward. You will typically find an awning window in a second-floor bedroom or bathroom. It is rare to find an awning window on the first floor of a house.

Geometric Windows

Geometric windows are inoperable windows that come in shapes other than the typical rectangle. You can get geometric windows in shapes like circles, half-circles, octagons, or hexagons. These types of windows can give an otherwise boring room a little bit of “flavor” or allow homeowners to express their creativity a bit. Custom shapes and sizes are available.

Contact BM Windows for All Types of Replacement Windows in San Diego

If you’re ready to talk to someone about getting new windows for your San Diego home, contact us at BM Windows. We can set up an in-home appointment, during which you can get all of your questions answered and get a no-obligation quote.