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Window & door types

Which window type do I have?

Select a type to spin the 3D model, test how the sash opens, and see where each style fits best before pricing your project.

Moderate price impact

Double-hung window

Drag or press ← → to rotate; Home resets the view

Double-hung window

Both top and bottom sashes slide vertically, and the sashes tilt inward for cleaning from inside the room.

Learn more

Pick a window or door type, drag or use ← / → to rotate the 3D model, and press the mechanism buttons to see how it opens.

What the window type is for and what role it plays

The type decides how the window opens: whether the sash slides up, slides to the side, swings out on hinges or does not open at all. That in turn sets how much of the opening lets air in, how the glass is cleaned, how much frame and glass the window has, and whether you can climb out through it.

A type alone does not decide warmth, quiet or the price. The frame material, the glass unit and the installation are separate factors, and two windows of one type can differ a lot because of them. Hinges, cranks, locks and tracks are the hardware of the window: the type sets which of them it needs.

Windows and doors are both on this page: a patio or entry door is a type of the same factor, chosen the same way by how it opens and where it stands.

Choose the frame material →Choose the glass unit →

What changes the price

The price depends on the whole window or door, not on the type alone. Within the type, these things move it the most.

  • How it opens and how complex the mechanism is: a crank and hinges or a tilting sash usually cost more than fixed glass.
  • The size and the number of sashes: more moving parts mean more frame, hardware and work.
  • A projecting or multi-panel unit: a bay or bow window needs its own support, seat and roof above it.
  • For a door: the door panel, the threshold, the lock and the glass in the door.
  • A bedroom window that must open wide enough to climb out, which can rule out a smaller or fixed window.
  • The frame material and the glass unit: they are separate factors, but they come with every type.

Quick comparison of all types

Figures with sources

What the NFRC rating system is based on
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has developed a window energy rating system based on whole product performanceSource:Window Ratings — NFRC Consumer Guide to Windows (Efficient Windows Collaborative)
What the NFRC label of a certified window shows
Every NFRC-certified window has a label that displays its window ratings, manufacturer information, model number, and sizeSource:Window Ratings — NFRC Consumer Guide to Windows (Efficient Windows Collaborative)
The two families of opening windows
Traditional operable window types include the projected or hinged types such as casement, awning, and hopper, and the sliding types such as double- and single-hung and horizontal slidingSource:Types and Parts — NFRC Consumer Guide to Windows (Efficient Windows Collaborative)

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my window type during replacement, such as switching a double-hung to a casement?

Usually yes. As long as the wall opening fits the new unit and the bedroom escape rules of your area are met, you can switch between double-hung, casement, sliding and picture windows in the same opening.

Which window types seal the tightest against drafts?

A fixed picture window has no moving sash, so it has the fewest joints for air to pass. Among opening windows, casement and awning sashes press against the weatherstripping when they are locked, while sliding sashes glide past it. Compare real windows by the air leakage rating on the NFRC label when the maker lists it.

Do I need to know exact measurements before choosing a window type in the calculator?

No. Pick the window or door type first — the calculator can use typical standard dimensions for your initial range, and exact measurements are confirmed during an on-site survey.

How is a window different from a door in the calculator and in the price?

In the calculator a patio or entry door is one more type of this factor: you choose it the same way and it gets its own range. A door is usually priced as a door: its panel, threshold and lock add to the price, which a window does not have.

Does a bedroom window have to open wide enough to climb out?

In many areas a bedroom needs a window that opens wide enough to escape through in an emergency. The rules depend on your local building code, so check them for your area and look at the opening of the window in the estimate.

Which type is best for letting in fresh air?

A casement opens almost the whole sash and can catch a side breeze, and an awning can stay open in light rain. A double-hung lets air in at the top and the bottom, and a picture window does not open at all.

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