Choosing the right windows is crucial to keep your home as comfortable as possible throughout the year. Consider these four types of windows to take you through the frigid winters, hot summers, and pleasant falls and springs in Des Moines.
Awning Windows
Awning windows open outward with the aid of a top hinge. Since it opens from the top, this type of window creates an awning effect. In this way, awning windows provide protection from the weather while allowing ventilation. Little to no rain will enter your home when your awning windows are open.
Awning windows are usually smaller than other kinds of windows, so they can be installed higher up on the walls of your home, providing you with privacy and safety. Awning windows are popular in bedrooms and bathrooms. The sash on an awning window closes by pressing against the frame, making them better able than sliding windows to prevent air from leaking.
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Casement Windows
Like awning windows, casement windows open outward and minimize air leakage. However, casement windows are mounted on side hinges rather than top ones. A casement window can open farther than other kinds of windows, allowing you to let in lots of fresh air on gorgeous spring and fall days.
The open sash in casement windows functions as a flap that funnels breezes into your home. This feature can provide added privacy, which is especially handy if your new home will be surrounded by close neighbors. The locks on casement windows are shaped like a hook. Because they’re embedded within the frames of the windows, the locks are untouchable from the outside, so casement windows are very difficult to break into.
Fixed Windows
Fixed windows, also referred to as picture windows, can’t be opened and closed. These large windows are typically used to frame a stunning view. Fixed windows are popular in homes with high or vaulted ceilings. They’re also frequently installed as arched windows over areas like
- Doors
- Vaulted spaces
- Other windows
Allowing in a lot of natural light, picture windows can help to warm up your home on cold days and decrease your energy costs during the winter.
Be Smart
If energy efficiency is near the top of your list of priorities, talk with your Des Moines home builder about smart windows. Connected to Wi-Fi, smart windows are outfitted with environmental sensors that can detect factors like
- Room occupancy
- Weather
- Sunlight
Depending on what the sensors read, your smart windows will vary their tint. They can keep the inside of your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. You’ll never have to get up and manually adjust your blinds again!
Although they cost substantially more than their non-automated counterparts, smart windows could help you cut your monthly energy costs by a whopping 20 percent. This hefty return on your investment might make installing smart windows throughout your home a smart economic decision in the long run.
When constructing a new house, many people don’t give much thought to the type of windows they want installed, but the kinds of windows you select can affect your home’s energy efficiency, your comfort, your view of the world outside, and your overall happiness.
To learn more valuable information about custom home building in the Des Moines area or to schedule a free consultation, contact Homes by Brill today!
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