Windows
Windows are an important element of any home which will not only affect the look of your home from inside and outside, but will also allow both light and ventilation into a room and providing an ever changing view to the outdoors.
Visit the following sites for advice on Windows
| Sponsored Links | |
Window Selection
Whether you’re building or renovating, choosing the right windows and doors for your home is as important as choosing the architectural style itself. Usually covering more than half the surface area of the average house, the right window and door choice can make a home inviting from the outside, appear more spacious from the inside, enhance the architectural style and increase the value of the house.
Bearing this in mind, it’s important to do a little research before you start. The right decisions will delight you for years to come. Windows and doors will not only affect the look of your home from inside and outside, but where they are placed and the style you choose will also affect the comfort of you and your family.
The basic function of windows and doors is to admit daylight and ventilation in acceptable and consistent quantities, while maintaining the ambient temperature inside the house - this is your overall comfort level. However this needs to be balanced against your requirements for what you want to see through them and how much privacy you require.
You should also consider how the windows and doors need to blend with the overall style of your home, both in design and color. From a safety and security aspect you need to have the appropriate style of window or door for each location.
And finally if noise is an issue you need to understand the impact of using certain styles of windows and doors, and glazing options.
This section of our website will help you find the best solution for your home to ensure a lifetime of comfortable living for you and your family.
What Types of Windows are Available?
There are many types of windows available that are commonly used in buildings of all types. Each type of window has its own advantages and the selection of the right type of window for each location will depend on what the window is going to add to the room it is in and its environment. Some windows are located to take advantage of a sensational view, others to allow natural light or ventilation into a room and others might allow direct sunlight to provide natural heat into a room.
When selecting a window type it is important to keep in mind what the intended use of the room will be and how the window is going to add to improving the environment within the space. A window consists of an outer frame that goes in the hole in the wall, and a sash frame that holds the glass. The style of the window refers to how the sash operates or opens within the outer frame.
There are four traditional styles of windows – casement, awning, double hung, and sliding. The one that is most appropriate for you can depend on a number of factors such as how they operate and how much ventilation they allow. Where you place doors and the style that you use will have a substantial impact not only on how you enter or exit your home, but also on the functionality of rooms and the safety and security of your home.
Doors are available in three styles – hinged, bi-folding, and sliding. Like windows, selecting the most appropriate door style depends on a number of factors.
The most common frame construction for windows is either timber or aluminum. We look at all of these window options in detail below.
Timber / Wooden Windows Whether they are stained to bring out the warm earthy tones, or painted to suit your decor and style, wooden or timber windows and doors will match or complement most architectural styles from traditional federation and Colonial, to modern contemporary designs.
Wooden windows are constructed with a wooden frame. This is the traditional way of constructing windows and gives them an aesthetically pleasing feel particularly in country or heritage style homes. Wood windows can be either stained to give the natural timber look or painted to match the surrounding color scheme. Wood windows function the same as an aluminum window and are usually fitted with insect screens, locks and can be glazed in any type of glass you require.
Aluminum windows are a recent and somewhat cheaper alternative to wood windows. Aluminum windows are very common in new homes, particularly production type homes and modern homes. Aluminum's unique combination of strength and lightness enables frames, sashes and fittings to be neat and unobtrusive. Because the frames, rails and stiles can be finer than those made in wood, they allow maximum entry of light and provide unobstructed views. Aluminum doesn't require painting, will not warp or rot and its dimensional stability ensures years of trouble free operation.
Aluminum windows and doors come powder coated in a range of colors to match your home, but it's important to choose frame colors carefully as powder coated surfaces cannot be repainted. An occasional wipe with a damp cloth will maintain your windows and doors in "as new" condition, but remember not to use abrasives or caustic chemicals when cleaning (for more information, see our cleaning windows page).
As with wood windows, aluminum windows are normally fitted with insect screens and locks and can be glazed using a range of glass options including safety glass, tinted glass, laminated glass, stained glass or frosted / obscure glass.
Casement Windows
Created to allow more ventilation into your home, the casement window captures the essence and tradition of the past. Casement windows are ideal for locations where you want to maximize the view with large unobstructed areas of glass. Casement windows feature a classic design that will suit many architectural styles, while also incorporating modern features designed to offer you the best of both worlds.
The great advantage of casement windows is their ability to maximize and control the breeze and direct it into any area of your home. This is achieved by their unique 90° pivot stays, which open in such a way as to partially center the sash, thus capturing the breeze from any direction.For a stunning uninterrupted view, the use of large fixed pane windows combined with casement window sidelights provides the ultimate in practical design. Casement windows are available in a variety of window style configurations and a range of glazing options.
Awning windows have a pleasant slimline architectural appearance, which makes them one of the more discreet window types available. Often chosen because of their functional design, awning windows are ideal in situations where furniture or kitchen benches prevent easy access to the window.
Quality awning windows include a unique chain winder which allows easy operation without interfering with insect or security screens. Another desired feature of the awning window is that it can be left partly open during inclement weather to allow continuous ventilation, while at the same time not letting in any of nature’s undesirable elements. Awning windows come in either timber / wood frames or aluminum frames in a range of colors and finishes.
Awning windows are also available in a range of glazing choices, including coated glass options. Because the windows open outwards, awning windows can be fitted with internal aluminum insect, safety or window security screens.
Double Hung Windows
The timeless character of the double hung window has made it one of the most popular window choices available. Ideal for both traditional and contemporary homes, the double hung window provides the ultimate in ventilation control, allowing you to direct air through the top, bottom, or both sashes together.
Look for double hung windows that feature a spring balance system, this way the double hung window will provide a lifetime of smooth and rattle free operation. Windows with finger grip grooves for easy operation and lifting are also advantageous as are double hung windows that have cam catches to provide better weather protection and security as a standard feature. Some double hung windows can also be available as a single hung window – one fixed sash and another sash that slides up and down.
Double hung windows come in either timber / wood frames or aluminum frames in a range of colors and finishes. Double hung windows are also available in a range of glazing choices, including coated, double glazed and laminated glass options.
Sliding Windows
The aluminum sliding window is both functional and durable. The ultimate low maintenance window style due to few moving parts, the sliding window is a classic design that will suit most architectural styles. When selecting a window supplier it is important to check closely the construction of the windows.
You should look for operating sash slides on adjustable minimal friction nylon rollers, preferably along an aluminum track, providing a smooth opening and closing action. Always ensure the windows are weather sealed around the frame to minimise draughts, dust and water intrusion.
Quality sliding windows will also feature interlocking sashes for increased window strength. Some suppliers will include adjustable height key locks with diecast tongues for added security. Security and insect screens are fitted to the outside of the frame but it is advantageous to have screens that can be removed from the inside if possible. This is a significant benefit if your windows are not accessible from outside the building or are not on the ground floor level.
Sliding windows come in either aluminum or timber / wood frames in a range of colors and finishes. Sliding windows are also available in a range of glazing choices, including coated, double glazed and laminated glass options.
Bi-Fold Windows
Bi-fold windows can help you turn any room into a light filled oasis. Whether to provide access between kitchens and patios, or as a corner window to allow increased ventilation, a bi-fold window will give you unobstructed panoramic views.
Patio Doors
Glass patio doors are an ideal way to have easy access to the garden, terrace, patio or covered relaxation area, an aluminum hinged patio door is both versatile and functional. A pair of hinged patio doors with sidelights is an elegant design statement, and either opened or closed, will prove to be a visually attractive part of your home.
Additional Resources for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Official site for the Microsoft family of Windows operating systems. Learn more about Windows XP, including how-tos and tips.
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft offers a wide range of software, services, and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Featuring Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, anti-spyware, and more. Official site includes support, downloads, and additional product resources.
Microsoft Windows - Wikipedia
Article providing an overview of the Miscorosft Windows family of operating systems.
What are the bloggers saying about Windows?
The company also makes Office applications for Windows Mobile and Windows CE devices. But there are no freebies available at the moment. A full license for the Windows Mobile version will set you back $90. ... source..
In France, CEO Steve Ballmer offers a few more tidbits on the cloud-based development environment to be introduced later this month. source..
Today, Apple updated the MobileMe control panel for Windows. Update 1.2 "provides better support for syncing a large number of contacts (more than 2000) and prevents syncing of data between Microsoft Exchange Server and MobileMe, ... source..
'We're not driving an agenda towards being service providers but we've gotta build a service that is Windows in the cloud,'; 'If you talk to Google they'll say it's thin client computing but then they'll issue a new browser that's ... source..
News about Windows
A collage mode in Picasa lets users create poster-size collections, sizing and placing each snapshot. (Click to enlarge.) (Credit: Google) Google has brought to Linux the beta version of its new Picasa 3 software for image editing, cataloging, and ... source..
It doesn't look like much now. It just looks like a window, and in most houses, that subject would be somewhere near the bottom of the conversation barrel. It's like saying water comes in a steady stream from the faucet or the bulb overhead emits ... source..
Microsoft is still committed to including aspects of the Zune interface to Windows Mobile devices, company chief Steve Ballmer said in an interview with CIO published late Thursday. The company co-founder supports the public company position and ... source..
CEO Steve Ballmer reiterated this week that Microsoft has decided against building its own Zune phone . ( Chairman Bill Gates said the same thing back in January 2008 , for those keeping score at home.) Ballmer also noted this week that Microsoft is ... source..
The Windows 2008 Server Core Configurator , as the label implies, is a tool designed to integrate with the latest iteration of the Windows Server operating system from Microsoft in Server Core deployments scenarios. Windows Server 2008 comes with the ... source..
Today, Vianix announced the availability of its mobile phone duplex call recording solution. The application is based on its proprietary PocketTalk Enterprise ProTM (PTEP) dictation and recording application that is used in enterprise communications ... source..
Looking for more information on Windows?
Try some of the other pages in this section: Home Windows., New Windows, House Windows, Windows Window Accessories, How To Clean Windows, Window Cleaner, Window Washer, Replacement Windows, Vinyl Replacement Windows, Repair Window, Windows Blinds, Window Treatments, Wooden Windows, Aluminum Windows, Casement Windows, Bow Windows, Garden Windows, Bay Windows, Patio Doors, Glass Windows, Double Hung Windows, Sliding Window, Sliding Door, Windows And Doors, Window Manufacturers, Energy Efficient Windows, Window Tinting, Awning Windows, Window Replacement,