What to Know About Window Types
When you are looking for new home windows, there are many options to fit any home style or budget. Each serves a different purpose.
Take our quiz above to figure out which window types would work best for you!
You can also read on to learn about the most popular options and browse a comprehensive list of all replacement window types. We also included their average costs to install (updated as of 2024) so you know. If you already know which options you’re most interested in, you can explore our main window home improvement page to instead browse our favorite window brands, read our buying guide, and more.
Best Windows for Your Home
Though there are more than 20 styles available, there are just eight that rank as the most popular windows for homes. Let’s take a look.
1. Single-Hung Windows
Single-hung windows open vertically with their bottom window panel or lower sash moving up and down, and the upper sash remaining stationary. This means that when you open the window, the upper sash is covered on the inside. A single-hung window costs between $397 to $847 per window on average, making them one of the least expensive options.
2. Double-Hung Windows
On a double-hung window, both the lower sash as well as the upper sash can move up and down. They also usually tilt out for easy cleaning and maintenance. They are the most common windows in the house across the U.S. As such, they are available in a great range of sizes and materials from all the top brands along custom options for your homes. They cost between $429 to $915 on average.
3. Picture Windows
Whether the view outside your home is a lush green backyard or a mountain range, the best way to fully enjoy it is with large picture windows. Picture windows cannot be opened, so they do not have any breaks or visible frames, resulting in an unobstructed view. They can make a room look larger, and typically are lower in price than other windows. On average, a picture window will cost from $609 to $1,298 depending on size.
4. Casement Windows
Casement windows have a crank handle, and when you turn it, the window opens out instead of sliding up or down. This allows the window to be constructed of solid glass and offers a less obstructed view overall. It’s an excellent option if you essentially want a picture window that opens. They are also very energy-efficient. The cost of a casement window can be anywhere from $597 to $1,273 per window installation.
5. Bay Windows
Bay windows are a beautiful addition to living rooms or kitchens, offering alluring view to your outside area. They protrude from an exterior wall and create a small shelf or a nook. They rely on flat windows set into an angled frame that are built out of the home. A bay window costs more to install, ranging from from $1,732 to $3,690.
6. Awning Windows
Awning windows are ideal for climates with a lot of rain, thanks to the way the window creates a water-resistant awning when opened. They swing open to the outside by being pushed with the latch or handle. They tend to be one of the more affordable options. Awning window prices range from about $477 to $1,107 per window.
7. Sliding Windows
Sliding windows are a great option for elongated wall spaces, and they are also good for making a small room look larger. They have two sections (or sashes) that are usually made from single windows, and one of the sections slides horizontally over top of the other to open or close. A sliding window installation costs $775 to $1,652 on average.
8. Skylight Windows
While you may not think of this as a window, you should! In addition to being a popular option, a skylight window adds more natural light to your home. It is essentially a window for your roof, and it installs similarly to a roof vent. They come in both fixed and moveable varieties. Skylight windows cost between $800 to $3,000 on average.
Windows in the House: Other Options to Consider
If the most popular styles aren’t quite right for you, or if you have more specific windows needs — like a window for an especially narrow wall space or small entryway — then you may want to consider these additional options.
1. Arched Windows
- Best for: Architectural appeal
Arched windows have rounded tops that add an appealing design element to any home. They can be manufactured with an arch or you can add a half-moon window above a standard rectangular window for the same look at a cheaper price. Arched window prices average $345 to $950 per window. They can also be installed in a multi-arch structure with square or rectangle window panes on side, such as in the Palladian window style.
2. Bow Windows
- Best for: Victorian homes
Bow windows create a circular area along the outside of the home, offering you extended views of your front or backyard area. Bow windows are also known as compass windows that utilize between four to six windows giving a Victorian look to your home. These windows can be a combination of fixed windows in the middle and ventilation windows at the ends. A bow window costs an average of $1,810 to $3,859.
3. Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
- Best for: Adding light
Floor-to-ceiling windows maximize light and views. In addition to making rooms feel bigger and brighter, floor-to-ceiling windows add architectural interest to your home. However, all that beauty comes with a high price tag. This custom project can involve anything from replacing a couple windows to adding an entire window wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows cost around $700 to $1,600 dollars per linear foot to install.
4. Garden Windows
- Best for: Over the kitchen sink
Garden windows are essentially mini bay windows that are meant for plants. They have earned their name because they act like tiny little greenhouses that protrude from the inside of your home. You can keep plants and herbs in the mini shelves so that they can be visible from the outside while getting sunlight into your home. Garden windows cost around $1,000 to $4,000 to install.
5. Glass Block Windows
- Best for: Privacy
Glass block windows are most often added to a section of the home to increase light flow but maintain privacy. They’re usually frosted or have a patterned design. They are ideal for use in bathrooms, basements, and other private spaces, but you should also consider them for areas where you need additional security since they are very difficult to break. Glass block window costs $400 to $1,100 per window.
6. Hopper Windows
- Best for: Small spaces
Hopper windows are great for any room with limited wall space for a new window. They open from the top and tip down. This window style makes efficient use of compact spaces, which is why hopper windows are commonly found in basements or bathrooms. They are also known for providing excellent insulation, because they seal up against the frame when closed all the way. You can expect the cost to range from $170 to $645 per window.
7. Jalousie Windows
- Best for: Bringing the outdoors in
Jalousie windows are a unique window style that splits into many different slats of metal or glass. The windows open like a set of blinds. Simply crank the lever and the slats tilt to the side, which creates a series of gaps for air to flow through. They are often popular in coastal areas and are great for allowing in a nice breeze on a cool day with their enhanced airflow. But beware: they have very poor energy efficiency. Jalousie windows can cost anywhere from $175 to $375.
8. Round Circle Windows
- Best for: Gothic-era homes
Round, half-round, elliptical, or oval—the round circle windows category encompasses many different shapes that add architectural interest to your home. In particular, round windows give your space a nod to historical décor, such as Victorian- or Gothic-era structures. Half-round windows can be combined with other window types, like picture and transom. Round windows cost anywhere from $250 to $840 on average.
9. Transom Windows
- Best for: Near the front door
Transom windows are decorative accents. They help break up space or add a unique design focal point. They are typically installed near doors or on top of other windows. Installing transom windows costs an average of $334 to $711 per window, and makes for a beautiful home accent.
10. Custom Windows
- Best for: The homeowner with a vision
When you have a space that you want to fill and standard types of windows are not meeting your needs, you can go with a custom window instead. Custom windows are crafted from dimensions that you or a professional measures in your home.
Windows for Special Situations
There are a couple windows that are only required in special circumstances. Here’s what to know.
1. Egress Windows
- Best for: Basements
Egress windows are designed for safety more than anything else. They provide an escape route when an emergency such as a fire prevents you from exiting through a door. Egress windows are typically installed in the basement of your home, and some counties require you to install one due to safety laws. They may require an area to be excavated in order to be installed properly, so egress window costs can be high, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
2. Storm Windows
- Best for: Hurricane-prone regions
Storm windows are installed right in the same frame as your current windows on either the exterior or interior side of the window pane. They are popular in areas with heavy storms and regions prone to hurricanes. Storm windows add another layer for blocking out drafts and making sure conditioned air stays in the home. Exterior storm window installation costs typically range from $172 to $320 per window.
A Note About Cost
We included the national average cost range for each window, but be aware that some of the choices you make during your project can impact where in that range you land.
Window frame material is a significant cost factor. Vinyl frames are the least expensive as well as the most popular, but they do not work well in all regions or for all homes. Composite frames, on the other hand, provide incredible insulation and beauty, but tend to be the most expensive. You can read our guide to best window frame materials to narrow in on which frame types are best for your home.
How to Choose Between Window Types
Those options above can feel a bit overwhelming. How do you start narrowing in on the right window for your home? When deciding which type is best for your replacement project, start by asking these questions:
- What window size do I need?
- How do I need the window to function? (open outwards or inwards, slides sideways, number of openings, etc.)
- Which room is the window being installed in? (basement and bathroom windows can be different from other spaces)
- How will the new windows look in the room? In addition to the window itself, consider how the look might change if you picked a vinyl frame versus, say, an aluminum one.
- How much light will the window let in?
Picking a Good Window for Resale Value
You may also want to consider how the window you pick will impact your home’s value or your ROI. If you plan to sell your home in the next couple years, you may want to pick a window growing in popularity.
According to Rob Gruber, Vice President of Manufacturing at Champion Windows, casement windows are an emerging trend in modern home windows because they can open up a room while also adding home value:
“Casement windows are popular additions to modern homes because they offer large, unobstructed views of the outdoors. They also provide excellent ventilation and fresh air as they can be opened outward, rather than upward, to let a refreshing side breeze into your home. Add a casement window above a kitchen sink or in your living room or home office to frame the perfect view.”
— Rob Gruber, VP of Manufacturing at Champion Windows
Does It Matter Which Room the Windows Are Going In?
There are a couple reasons why room type impacts window type:
- Building codes. Some rooms in your home are required to have multiple exit routes in case of emergency, including bedrooms and basements. If a window doesn’t open, you can’t use it as an emergency exit. That means you can’t pick something like a picture window (or at least not only picture windows throughout the whole room) since a picture window does not open and close.
- Room usage. If you’re putting a window in a shower, you probably want it to open to vent out humidity and steam. If you’re putting a window in a kitchen, you will want a lot of extra air flow to account for any smoke or smells. In a living room, you might not care as much if the window opens as long as it lets in lots of light. All of which is to say: the room itself and how it gets used will dictate which types of windows you want to consider.
Another thing you may want to consider is which floor your new window is being installed on. If it’s on the top/only floor of your home, you can consider a skylight. You may also want to consider double-hung windows or other window types with lots of air flow for the top floor of your home since you will get better air flow higher up.
What to Know About Home Window Project Costs
Some window replacement costs can be negotiated with bigger projects or discounted with specials being run in your area by window installers.
Use our local window cost calculator to know average installation costs for new windows and break down your exact project estimate by window type.
You can also research best window brands to choose from and have a guide to make sure you are getting the best price in your area. If you are unsure about the specific window types you want to install, it may be more beneficial to speak directly to local contractors. Browse our window contractor directory to compare pros in your area, or have Modernize do the research for you and match you with up to four pros in your area.
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