By Todd, owner of Windows Plus
People ask me “what’s the best type of window?” all the time, and my answer is always the same: best for which room? The window over your kitchen sink has a completely different job than the one in your bedroom or the big one facing the backyard. So instead of ranking window types in the abstract, here’s how I’d pick them room by room, plus what makes any of them energy efficient.
The main window types, quickly
- Double-hung: Two sashes that slide up and down, usually tilt in for cleaning.
- Casement: Hinged on the side, opens with a crank, seals very tight.
- Awning: Hinged at the top, opens out from the bottom.
- Sliding: Slides side to side on a track.
- Picture: Fixed glass, doesn’t open.
- Bay and bow: Multiple windows that project out from the wall.
Best windows by room
Kitchen
Casement or awning over the sink. You can’t comfortably lean over a counter and push a sash up, but you can turn a crank. Casements also catch a breeze for cooking smells. A slider works too if the opening is wide and short.
Living room
Picture window with operable windows on the sides, or a bay or bow window. You get the big view and still get fresh air. For a more traditional look, a row of double-hungs is hard to beat.
Bedrooms
Double-hung or casement. Double-hungs work with a window AC unit and are easy to live with. Casements open wide and seal tight. Bedroom windows also serve as an emergency exit, so when we replace them we make sure the new window opens at least as wide as the old one.
Bathrooms
Awning or a smaller double-hung with obscure glass. An awning can stay cracked for ventilation while keeping rain out, and obscure glass gives you privacy without blinds.
Basements
Sliders or awnings fit the short, wide openings you usually find in basements. If a basement window is a bedroom’s emergency exit, we replace it with a window that meets that requirement.
Stairwells and hard-to-reach spots
Picture windows if you don’t need them to open, casements if you do.
What makes a window energy efficient
Any of these types can be efficient. What matters is:
- The glass package. Double-pane glass with Low-E coatings and a gas fill is the standard for a good replacement window. Triple-pane is an upgrade (more on that in whether triple-pane is worth it).
- The frame. Vinyl frames with insulated chambers are the most popular choice because they insulate well and don’t rot.
- How it seals. Casements and awnings seal the tightest, since locking them presses the sash into the weatherstripping.
- The ratings. Look for the NFRC label: a low U-factor for our winters and a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient for our summers.
- The installation. This is the one that gets overlooked. A great window with gaps around the frame will still leak. We only do full-frame replacement, so we can insulate and seal the whole opening.
There’s more on this in energy-efficient window types.
Picking windows for the whole house
You don’t have to use one style everywhere, but it helps to keep the look consistent from the street. A common approach is double-hungs on the front of the house for a traditional look, with casements or sliders where they work better inside. We’ll help you plan it so it looks intentional.
Kentucky-specific things I’d think about
- Humidity: Our summers are sticky. Tight-sealing windows and low-SHGC glass help keep rooms comfortable.
- Winters: Cold snaps are where a low U-factor pays off.
- Storms: Strong frames and good installation matter when wind-driven rain hits the house.
Pros and cons of each type
Double-hung
- Pros: Classic look, works with window AC units, tilts in for easy cleaning, fits most homes.
- Cons: Only half the window opens at a time; seals a little less tightly than a crank window.
Casement
- Pros: Full opening for airflow, very tight seal, easy to operate over counters.
- Cons: Screen is on the inside, crank hardware is a moving part, can swing into a walkway outside.
Awning
- Pros: Can stay open in light rain, good privacy placement high on a wall, tight seal.
- Cons: Smaller opening, so not ideal as a room’s main source of air.
Sliding
- Pros: Simple, few moving parts, great for wide and short openings.
- Cons: Only half opens; the track needs to be kept clean.
Picture
- Pros: Biggest view, most light, no moving parts to wear out, very efficient.
- Cons: Doesn’t open, so pair it with operable windows for airflow.
Bay and bow
- Pros: Adds light, a sense of space and a spot for a seat or plants.
- Cons: The biggest investment of the group, and the install is more involved.
Matching windows to common Louisville house styles
- Brick ranch: Double-hungs or sliders across the front, often a picture window in the living room. Casements in the kitchen are a popular upgrade.
- Two-story colonial: Double-hungs with grids keep the traditional look.
- Bungalow: Double-hungs, often with grids in the upper sash only, which suits the style.
- Cape Cod: Double-hungs up front, with casements or awnings in dormers and baths where reach is awkward.
- Newer subdivision homes: A mix, often with larger picture windows in the family room.
Questions homeowners ask me
What’s the most energy-efficient window type?
Fixed picture windows, since they don’t open, followed by casements and awnings because they lock tight. But a well-built double-hung installed properly is very efficient too, and it’s the right choice in many rooms.
What’s the most popular window type?
Double-hung, by a wide margin, in the homes we see.
Should every window in my house be the same type?
No. Pick what works for each room, and keep the look consistent from the street with matching colors, grids and proportions.
Do different window types cost different amounts?
Yes. Double-hungs and sliders are usually the most affordable, casements and awnings cost more, and bays and bows cost the most. See what drives window replacement cost.
Where to go from here
If you’re still deciding, our replacement window buyer’s guide walks through the whole process, and our window types page shows each style. When you’re ready, we’ll come out, look at each room and give you a written price. Check our current offers or schedule a free in-home estimate.
