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Let There Be Light! And Views....And Breezes! Part 2

Earlier this month, we talked about the benefits and disadvantages of the different materials used to make window frames. Once you’ve chosen your path of enlightenment, pull up a chair, because we’re going to discuss the various types of windows.

First, let’s address a common question: Do windows require a permit? Possibly. Many municipalities have what some refer to as a “remove and replace” policy, meaning if the change is cosmetic and won’t affect the building's structure, no permit is required. However, you’ll need to check with your local permitting office for confirmation.

One time you will need a permit is when adding egress windows, usually to a basement. They provide means of escape from any habitable room; that definition is slightly vague, but if you will be in the room frequently, it will need an egress.

There are also areas of your house where building code requires tempered glass, which is a safety glass that breaks into smaller, less sharp pieces of glass. Basically, if someone could slip into a window — in a wet bathroom, at the bottom of stairs, any low window — then its glass must be tempered.

Back to the style of windows. The most important consideration is the amount of ventilation you will want in a room. With no moving parts, fixed windows are the least expensive and offer the largest sizes. And without having to worry about mechanics, manufacturers can offer myriad shapes in the fixed format beyond square or rectangle; among them are round, half-rounds, eyebrows, diamonds, trapezoids or customs. But no moving parts means no moving breezes, so people will often flank large picture windows with others that can open.

I grew up in New England, where the reliable standby is the vertical slider or single-hung. Generally a rectangular window that is taller than it is wider, its bottom half slides upward to allow air flow. Originally, individual squares of glass would be held in place by tacks into wooden mullions, though today the grids are usually sandwiched internally between two panes of glass.

Double-hungs operate similarly, except both halves can move. Do you remember your Physics teacher saying that heat rises? Well, lowering the top half gives that heat a path to escape. Also, double-hungs usually offer tilt-in windows, which makes cleaning much easier than straddling the branch of a nearby tree.

Another benefit to vertical sliders is most room air conditioning units work best with this configuration. Air conditioners draw heat and humidity out of a room and transfer them outside, but any gaps must be sealed to prevent new warm air from entering. When the upper window is pulled down atop the AC unit, and panels are installed to enclose any open spaces on the sides, you’ll attain optimal efficiency.

(By the way, the removing the humidity part is why evaporative coolers are considered better for this region; they cool the air by adding moisture to it.)

Horizontal sliders tend to be more economical than verticals and will generally accommodate larger applications. Usually, one half slides open to the other half, but sometimes both ends can open, with perhaps one fourth sliding into the middle half.

Casements are great for building forearm strength, because you crank the window open or shut. The whole window opens out on a angle, which can act like a funnel to direct breezes into the house on warm days; however, plan ahead to make sure that the window jutting out will not intrude into a pathway outside the ground floor. Casements are very energy efficient, because their locking mechanism closes the window quite tightly. Last, a prime area for a casement is when it’s difficult to reach a window to lift it open, such as behind a sink or large furniture.

Awning windows are similar to casements, but they are hinged at the top and their path is upward. They open about 30º, so they can remain open on rainy days. Hoppers have the opposite route – hinged at the bottom and swung inward – and are often used in basements or above large picture windows.

What’s the difference between bay and bow windows? The bay is a series of angled windows — often of varying sizes — that protrude from the house, while bows are multiple windows that curve gradually without angles. Don’t worry if that always trips you up, I’ll probably get that wrong the next time someone asks me, and I just wrote about it! In the meantime, avail yourself to the wonderful sitting area in the sunlight that either of them provide.

That’s it for now. Once again, thanks for reading!