For 40 years, Magic has provided the GTA with some of the most advanced residential windows in the world. Our innovative replacement windows, patio doors and Window Walls can add style and performance to any home. Welcome to our blog, where we provide consumers with the information and inspiration they need to make informed decisions about replacing their windows.
If you don’t work in construction or interior design, you probably have limited knowledge of different types of window styles. You probably don’t even notice any differences at first glance. A window is a window, right? Wrong. There are four main types of windows to choose from when building or renovating your home. Let us break them down for you.
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1. Casement Windows
What is a casement window?
Casement windows are designed to swing outward like a door and are attached to the window frame by one or more hinges on the side. They are arguably the most popular type of operable window styles for homes, and we bet this is the style of windows you have.
That’s because these types of windows for homes provide airflow, ventilation and an alternative means of escape in the worst case of an emergency. (Dark, but something to think about!)
Outdated, traditional casements swing open and shut by utilizing a crank at the bottom of the window frame. But keep reading to learn about the new and improved version of crank-free casement windows.
Suggested reading: Visual Guide to Casement Windows
Another thing to note is that there are two styles of casement windows:
a) Single Casement Windows: A single casement window contains one window opening on a hinge along the side of the window. These are most commonly used in standard-sized windows in the bathroom, living room, or bathroom.
b) Double Casement Windows: Otherwise known as French casement windows (because of their similarity to French doors), double casement windows are two windows that swing out independently of each other. The left window swings out to the left, and the right window swings out to the right.
When are they good to use:
- If you live in a hot climate, casement windows are an ideal option to encourage airflow.
- They are also great to install in hard-to-reach spots.
- They are also the best windows to provide a full view of the outdoors with no obstruction.
Price:
The cost of casement windows varies, depending on where you live and the quality of windows you’d like to invest in. Typical prices you can expect for casement windows in Ontario, Canada are:
| Type of Window | Poor Quality | Low Quality | High Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Casement | $300-$700 | $600-900 | $1300 - $2000 |
| Double Casement | $600 - $1200 | $800-$1300 | $2000-$3700 |
How Magic casement windows are different:
At Magic, we revolutionized the casement window and created something totally unique: A casement window without a crank. That’s right, we decided to abandon the crank altogether.
Our patented parallex® hardware turns outdated casement crank windows into crankless feats of engineering. Instead of relying on cranks and hinges, our revolutionary parallax® hardware allows homeowners to swing the window outward by sliding it seamlessly along a horizontal axis, easing operation and improving the window’s durability, performance, and functionality.
Casement windows are the perfect balance between performance and beauty, coveted for their minimalist design, effortless operation, retractable insect screens, solar screens, and thermal blinds.
We offer single casement and double casement window styles for homes.
Shop Casement Windows Here
2. Awning Windows
What they are:
Awning windows open partially outward from the bottom, enabling ventilation. Awning windows do not open all the way but close by sealing the moveable part of the window against the frame, which helps to create an airtight compression seal. They are usually operated with either a roto-gear and crank or a simpler push-out lever.
They are usually on the smaller side, typically made up to 50” (approximately 4 feet) wide.
When are they good to use:
Awning windows are an excellent option for homeowners that want large glass surfaces without the mullions (vertical or horizontal elements of a window frame that form a division between the different glass units) typically found on casement windows.
Price:
The cost of casement windows varies, depending on where you live and the quality of windows you’d like to invest in. You can expect something along the lines of:
| Type of Window | Poor Quality | Low Quality | High Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Window | $500 - $700 | $700 - $1000 | $1200 - $2100 |
How Magic awning windows are different:
The Magic series awning window is sought after for its contemporary design, large glass surface and superior energy efficiency. Like all of our different types of window styles, it boasts an array of exclusive and patented technology, including crankless windows and built-in screens.
Shop Awning Windows Here
3. Sliding Windows
What they are:
As their name suggests, sliding windows are operable windows that open by sliding horizontally along the bottom part of the window frame (called the sill).
These windows are highly popular and sought after due to their simplicity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Sliding windows come in the following styles:
a) Single Sliders: Only allow one window pane/sash to slide open along the window sill.
b) Double Sliders: Allow two panes/sashes to slide open along the window sill.
c) Triple Sliders: Two operable sashes and one stationary sash.
When are they good to use:
- Sliding windows are popular for homeowners who live in older heritage-style homes, as they help keep the same mid-century aesthetic.
- If you have limited space, these would be a better option.
- We also recommend sliding windows if your home has a wide window opening. This type of windows for homes also make sense if the window opening is at a height because they will be easier to slide horizontally rather than vertically.
- They also allow for better temperature control.
Price:
Current prices for sliding windows are in the following ranges:
| Type of Window | Poor Quality | Low Quality | High Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Slider | $300 - $700 | $800 - $1000 | $800 - $1600 |
| Double Slider | $400 - $800 | $600 - $1400 | $1040 - $2080 |
4. Hung Windows
What they are:
While hung windows still use a sliding motion to open, they are notably different from sliding windows. Hung windows are operable windows that slide open and closed vertically along the sides of the window frame (called the jambs). Like sliding windows, hung styles are very popular due to their simplicity, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.
They also come in two styles:
a) Single Hung: These are hung windows that only allow one pane/sash to slide open along the window jambs.
b) Double Hung Windows: The double-hung window is a vertical sliding window in which both glass panes can slide upwards or downwards within the frame. With two movable sashes (a window sash is the part of the window that holds the glass and the framework around the glass to keep it in place), this window can open from the top or bottom or both simultaneously.
When are they good to use:
- If the window opening is taller, hung windows are an excellent choice.
- However, they have a horizontal bar in the centre of the window. This bar can potentially obstruct your view of the outdoors depending on the location of the window. If admiring your view is really important to you, we recommend going with a casement window instead.
Price:
As with any replacement window project, quality windows can be a significant investment but certainly one worth making. Investing in quality now can mean saving time, money, and energy in the long run. Here’s the prices you’re looking at for hung windows:
| Type of Window | Poor Quality | Low Quality | High Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Hung | $300 - $600 | $700 - $1000 | $800 - $1600 |
| Double Hung | $400 - $900 | $600 - $1300 | $1100 - $2080 |
How Magic hung windows are different:
The Magic Series double-hung window features parallex® hardware, which allows you to tilt both panes inwards to 90 degrees. This feature allows the user to wash the outside glass from the inside of their home and creates an easy escape route in case of emergency.
Want to learn more about replacing your windows? Contact us today!
If you’re looking for more information about types of windows for homes or more general guidance on window replacement, we are ready to help!
Book a free, no-hassle consultation today with one of our representatives. We will walk you through the installation or replacement process, answer any questions you may have, and introduce you to our innovative product line. Contact us today!