The Various Types of Replacement Windows and Doors You Can Choose for Your Ahwatukee, AZ Home

replacement windows PortlandWhen you begin to research the various types of replacement windows and doors that you may be able to choose for your Ahwatukee home, you may be surprised by all of the options available. There are single hung, double hung, casement, picture, bay, and bow windows. You can also choose from a custom style as well. When it comes to doors, you will have a wide range of basic entry doors (with or without glass), double-wide doors, sliding glass doors, and French doors.

Let’s take a look at each of these types of windows and doors.

Single hung. The single hung and double hung are very similar in their design and appearance. The main difference with the single hung window is that only the bottom portion of the window will slide up or down.

Most single hung windows will come with storm windows and a screen so that you can enjoy some nice fresh air during the day and even the night.

Double hung. The double hung is just like the single hung with one key difference: the top half of the window will slide down as well as the bottom half. This can make it convenient when you want privacy but also some fresh air drifting through your home.

If you had wood interior shutters, you would be able to keep the shutters on the bottom half closed, open the top half and then slide down the upper portion of the window.

Most double and single hung windows now offer the option to clean the inside and outside parts of the glass from the interior of the home.

  1. A casement window can either be vertical or horizontal. A vertical casement will open along the vertical axis, meaning it will either open to the right or the left. Most casement windows rely on a crank handle for opening.

A horizontal casement window will commonly open up or down, depending on where the hinge is located. These windows are convenient for certain rooms, such as the kitchen where it can be difficult to reach over the sink to open the windows. They can also be great ‘bookends’ to a picture window, or atop a solid window that can’t be open and they can be used to allow fresh air into the home.

Bay windows. If you’re looking to create the illusion of a larger room, consider a bay window. This type of window extends out beyond the exterior walls of the house. They will generally have a shelf on the interior, before the glass, and the window itself will be in three sections. Some bay windows may consist or more than three sections, but this is usually a bow window.

The three key sections of a bay window are essentially two single or double-style hung windows that you can open, angled out against the house, and a picture window between then running parallel to the house.

Bow windows. When you have more than three sections of a window like a bay window, it’s a bow window. These can be opened like casement windows and all of the windows may be able to be opened, or just the outside ones.

Picture windows. A single, solid piece of glass that comprises a large area is commonly referred to as a picture window. This derived its name because of the resemblance it provides to picture frames.

Picture windows are ideal for those windows that overlook a good outdoor view, such as a rolling landscape or backyard. Because of the size of these windows, and because they can’t be opened, it’s a good idea to place some style of window that can be opened on either end. Double hung windows are common, but certain casements can be useful.

  1. If you are looking for a window that is completely unique and doesn’t fall into the general classification listed here, in many cases they can be custom built for you. Most custom windows, though, are about the size of the glass. However, you may be able to get triangle shaped windows, circular windows (which can be ideal over an entry door where there is a high vaulted ceiling) or a half moon window (that may look great over a solid, tall casement window.

Now, let’s look at the different types of doors you can choose from.

General entry. Most entry doors are, in essence, relatively simple. You’ll have a basic door with a specific design pattern, perhaps some frosted glass or other glass feature on it, or it could be solid.

The most important aspect when it comes to entry doors should always be security. You want to make sure that you and your family are going to be safe at home and that a potential burglar can’t just kick down the door.

Double wide doors. These style of doors will have the main door with the handle and locking mechanism, then a second door that will open from the same point but in the opposite direction. If you have the room on your front steps or the front portion of your house, this can add value with regard to the curb appeal of your home.

Sliding glass doors. The most common type of patio or deck door is the sliding glass door. This will consist of two large glass doors that slide along a track. They can be cumbersome to open and close, depending on the temperature and weather outside, but for Ahwatukee, they can actually be quite convenient if you plan on leaving the glass portion open most of the time.

French doors. French doors are more formal, though they are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners throughout the country, for both bedroom doors and patio doors.

No matter what type or style of replacement windows or doors you want, you will be able to find exactly what you need at Freelite.

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