Which Style Of Window Is Right For Your Home?

When you’re looking to find the right style of windows for your home, it can sometimes put you in a bit of a spin.

How many layers of glass do you require? How do you want the window to open and function? Do you stick to your property’s current style of window or opt for something different? Do you want to incorporate colour into the frames or a blurring or frosted effect to the glass?

With so many options it is difficult to make a clear choice, especially if your grasp of what the actual differences are is slim.

As such we decided to go and construct this blog post so that you can get a clear idea of what makes each style of window unique and why it may be worth your consideration.

Let’s have a look at our favourites and subsequently the most popular styles available, in the market, and at our showroom.

The main styles worth your consideration are:

Casement & Flush Casement Windows
Sash Windows
Tilt & Turn Windows
Bay & Bow Windows

So let us start with…

Casement Windows

This style of window has been around for many hundreds of years now and is showing no signs of letting up. In the beginning, this would have been a single frame that was hinged into a single hardwood, or even stone, frame.

Nowadays you’ll find that they attach to their frames via one or more hinges which can be situated on the side, bottom or top of the frame.

This is still one of the most popular window types in the UK, and at one time was THE most commonly used window. That was until the introduction of Sash windows. The battle for most popular window type still rages on! Because of the Casement (and Flush Casement’s) flexibility and functionality, it is always one worth your consideration, regardless of the property.

Sash Windows

The Sash window is now the most one of the most popular window styles at present, largely due to its unobtrusive design and wealth of light and fresh air it can allow in.

With their low profile and huge opening they can work equally well on a period property as they do a modern one. Sash windows consist of one or more slidable panels (sashes) that open with ease via a large flush sliding mechanism.

As mentioned above, they have been going head to head going in the popularity stakes with Casement windows since the 1960’s, when a more modern style of residential housing began to be introduced.

After seeing it’s popularity dwindle in the decades that followed, they benefitted from a huge resurgence towards the end of the 80’s when it started becoming more attractive to hark back to period styling and conservation efforts.

As a result of this period revival, many people now opt to restore their sash windows (or replace where needs be) in order to give their homes a convincing yet functional period aesthetic.

Sash windows would have traditionally been made solely from hardwood frames but over time, and with the introduction of uPVC and Aluminium frames, they are now more accessible, energy efficient and cost-effective than ever.

Tilt and Turn Windows

Tilt and turn windows are some of the most versatile available today. With their two way operation, you are able to get two very different ‘responses’ from your window fitting a multitude of purposes.

Our favourite (if we’re pushed) is the ability to open them up like you would a door, allowing much more ventilation, should you need it, than other types of window. On a sunny day this is especially convenient and is great to have on your house if you have rural scenery close by to enjoy.

Admittedly having a relatively easy to access hole in the side of your house isn’t always going to be a great thing to offer up, this is where the Tilt and Turn window really comes into its own.

You can ’tilt’ them open so that only a much smaller gap opens up at the top of the frame, still providing ventilation but without the danger of someone falling out or climbing in your window while you’re not looking.

If you live in a particularly green, rural area these are a great addition to have but work equally well in the inner city. A good choice all round if you’re looking for something different.

Boy & Bay Windows

Bow and Bay windows have seen somewhat of a resurgence of late and it is easy to see why. Not only do they look great inside and out but they offer you a number of extra benefits.

Firstly, the 3 or more window panels that make up the Bay or Bow protrude out from your property allowing you a greater viewing angle from your home that lets in huge amounts of natural light, and who doesn’t want a nice bright home? Something that isn’t often mentioned when it comes to natural light is that you can use it to heat your home and reduce your bills – Have a look at one of our money saving blogs for more tips and home hacks here.

The second major draw for the Boy / Bay is that because of the fact they protrude out from the home, you can use the space inside as a seating area, perfect for whiling away a rainy day with a book, or as a storage area, or both! Many people convert the space into a children’s toy box/seating area so you’re not just benefiting from more natural light. If you have a more traditionally styled property this could be the best option for you.

If you’re still not sure what option would be best for you, come down to our showroom in Aylesbury and take a look for yourself.

We are always on hand to help you make the right choice and it is always good to see things up close before parting with your hard-earned cash.

Thankfully we have one of the largest showrooms in southern England so you can really get to grips with the multitude of styles, finishes and colour schemes that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

If you’d like to visit us at our showroom, you can find our address here.

Alternatively, you can contact us with any questions you may have and a member of our team will be happy to help.

We hope to see you soon!