Who doesn’t love a warm and welcoming living room?
As the focal point of your home, your living room is where you relax, entertain, and make memories. It’s also probably the room you spend the most time in. As a result, you want your living room windows to be two things: beautiful, as well as functional.
The living room windows you choose can offer both these things. However, with so many styles and sizes of living room windows out there, how do you know which ones to choose?
Below, we offer descriptions and considerations of four different types of living room windows.
Casement Windows
Sometimes called “crank windows,” casement windows are hinged to one side of the window frame and open outwards (using, you guessed it, a hand crank). A popular living room window choice, they can be installed to open either to the left or right.
Because casements open completely, they are great for allowing air to flow into your home. They’re also among the most energy-efficient windows, because they are tightly sealed and locked tightly to the window frame.
Casement windows are also incredibly low-maintenance and easy to clean. Simply remove the screen (which is on the interior) to wipe down the inside pane or open the window slightly and reach around to clean the exterior.
There are a few reasons why you may not want to install casements for your living room windows. Some cranks can become rusted or difficult to maneuver. As well, if you wish to have an air conditioner in your living room, be aware that most A/C units do not fit in casement windows. Finally, if you live in a particularly windy area, you may be better off selecting windows that are less exposed to the elements (and potential damage).
Slider Windows
Slider windows are just that—they slide back and forth horizontally on a track and are easy to open and shut.
Sliders provide a relatively wide window space, allowing lots of natural light into your living room and letting you enjoy a larger vista if you have a nice outdoor view. And because they don’t protrude on the outside, slider windows do not take up any more space than your wall.
Combined with vinyl frames, slider windows provide excellent insulation, keeping your living room cozy and comfortable in extreme cold winter temperatures and preventing moisture and humidity from entering during the warmer months. However, while modern slider windows are energy efficient, they are less so than casement windows.
Sometimes the sliding track can attract dirt and dust, so it should be cleaned regularly. Cleaning the inside is easy, but it can be challenging to clean the outside, especially in winter.
Bay Windows
Bay windows are not meant to “blend in” to the overall look of your home—they are meant to stand out, both figuratively (in terms of their style) and literally (in terms of their construction).
Generally, bay windows are built with three panels extending outwards from an outside wall of your house. The largest panel is the middle panel which lies parallel to the wall, with the other two window panels angled out from the wall on the left and right.
Because they often extend out from the wall, bay windows can provide a bit of additional space in your living room. Some homeowners will create a reading nook out of the window ledge or decorate it with plants.
If you want a panoramic view with an abundance of natural light extending from several directions into your living room, bay windows are your best bet. Meanwhile, these windows have two operating windows, allowing for a nice breeze from two directions versus just one.
While having lots of light is certainly a big bonus, it is important to pay attention to ratings including U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient values.
Picture Windows
A timeless living room windows classic, the picture window is a non-opening pane of glass set simply into a wall. Why are they called “picture” windows? Because they don’t require grilles (lines that run horizontally and vertically over or through the glass panes), thereby providing a large, completely unobstructed view of the outdoors.
Because they are inoperable and tightly sealed around all edges, picture windows are also incredibly energy efficient. That said, the fact that picture windows let in a lot of light may also mean unwanted solar heat gain—so, as we recommended with bay windows, make sure to check the ENERGY STAR® ratings!
Picture windows do not offer any kind of ventilation. Living in Canada, this may not be a huge consideration given that summers are only about two months long; however, if you prefer ventilation to cool down your home, you may want to consider other types of living room windows.
We Can Help You With Your Decision
Need some expert advice about which style is best for your living room windows? At Weaver Exterior Remodeling, our professional installers can help you figure out your best options based on your needs and unique living space.
Plus, ensuring your peace of mind is so important to us, we provide a Lifetime Warranty on all our living room windows, no questions asked.
Try out our interactive quote tool today and set up a free living room windows estimate with us.
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