Ultimate Guide to House Window Styles

October 24, 2024

|

Windows

An Ontario home with various house window styles

All window types for homes are essential for improving ventilation, showcasing the view outside, and letting in natural light. However, window design and technology have come a long way in the last few years. Now, modern windows are made in sleeker designs, have added durability, protect your furniture from harsh UV rays, and help you save energy. 

With replacement windows, you get the same window types or explore other house window styles that can boost your home’s aesthetic. To inspire your vision, we’ll dive into the details of all the different window types available. 

Single-Hung Windows & Double Hung Windows

First up in our window style guide is hung windows. These are among the popular window styles for Craftsman-style homes, modern farmhouses, colonial houses, and other similar conventional design styles. Despite the traditional look of a single or double-hung window, they are still popular in Ontario.

This type of house window has two sashes and comes in two styles: single and hung. For single-hung windows, only the bottom sash moves, which is the older configuration of this window type. Modern double-hung windows can have two sashes that move.

 Interior with five double-hung windows covered by blinds

Image Source: Canva

⭐Best For: Traditional homes, classic architecture, bedrooms, living rooms, natural light

💵Cost in Ontario: $300 to $2,500 per window

Pros Cons
  • Classic and versatile style
  • Good ventilation control
  • Relatively affordable (single-hung windows)
  • Easy to clean (double-hung windows)
  • Double-hung windows and single-hung windows have limited ventilation compared to casement windows
  • Can be more of a hassle to clean (single-hung windows)

Casement Windows


Casement windows come with a single sash and hand crank for opening and locking, providing homeowners with maximum ventilation and a clear outdoor view. House window types with side hinges like casement windows allow them to open like doors. They open fully outwardly, making them the perfect choice for egress windows.

Person opening casement window

Image Source: Canva

Casement windows are well-suited window styles for homes with older architectural styles, such as Victorian or Colonial. But sleek new designs of casement windows make them perfect even for modern-style houses, which is why many new construction projects feature them often.

⭐Best For: Modern homes, contemporary architecture, kitchens, natural light

💵Cost in Ontario: $300 to $2,200 per window

Pros Cons
  • Excellent ventilation
  • Easy to open and close with a crank
  • Secure and energy-efficient when closed
  • Can be more expensive than hung windows
  • Hardware can require occasional maintenance
  • High concern for security

Awning Windows

Hinged at the top, awnings often create a versatile and distinct look, especially when combined with other window types for homes, such as picture windows. This design allows convenient airflow without exposing your interior to the elements, such as rain or snow. 

Two vinyl awning windows with a grey exterior wall

Image Source: Canva

Awning windows present unique advantages over other house window styles. For instance, its panel prevents rain from coming through, so you can always have fresh air—rain or shine. This house window style is also perfect for providing privacy to bathrooms situated on a lower floor, especially when tinted. 

⭐Best For: Basements, bathrooms, high-placed windows, contemporary homes

💵Cost in Ontario: $500 to $2,600 per window

Pros Cons
  • Good ventilation, even in light rain
  • Enhanced security
  • Can be placed higher on walls for privacy
  • Limited opening size compared to casement windows
  • One the smaller window size
  • Not ideal for lower ground-level installations

Bow and Bay Windows

Next on our guide for house window styles are bay and bow windows, which usually comprise a mixture of fixed and operable windows. This window type adds a lot of character with its unique shape that extends interior space, which is why it’s often installed at the front of a home as “projection windows.”

Bay window turned into a comfy nook

Image Source: Canva

⭐Best For: Living rooms, dining rooms

💵Cost in Ontario: $1,200 to $10,000+ per window

Pros Cons
  • Create a sense of spaciousness
  • Provide panoramic views
  • Can be used to create a window seat or reading nook
  • Significantly more expensive than other window types
  • Can be complex to install
  • May require custom window treatments

Picture Windows

A picture window is a large, inoperable window designed to offer expansive views and let in natural lighting. These window types for homes are often paired with operable windows for ventilation purposes, to create bay or bow windows, for instance.

Fixed windows with a view of the garden and pool

Image Source: Canva

Among the different house window styles, picture windows tend to be more versatile in shape. They can be formed easily into geometric window frames, like circles, since they don’t need to open.

⭐Best For: Maximizing views, natural light, garden windows, modern and contemporary homes

💵Cost in Ontario: $150 to $1,200+ per window

Pros Cons
  • Uninterrupted views
  • Abundant natural light
  • Energy-efficient (when properly glazed)
  • No ventilation
  • Can be challenging to clean (especially large ones)

Gliding or Sliding Windows

Like hung windows, slider windows or gliders are window styles for homes that do not open outwards or inwards. Instead, they slide horizontally on the windowsill. This feature makes them ideal for porch or deck installation.

Person opening a slider window with natural light

Image Source: Canva

⭐Best For: Contemporary homes, modern spaces, patios, decks

💵Cost in Ontario: $400 to $2,400 per window

Pros Cons
  • Easy to operate
  • Space-saving design
  • Good for wide openings
  • Can be more difficult to clean than hung windows
  • May offer less ventilation than casement windows

Specialty-Shaped Windows

Capping off our guide on house window styles are specialty-shaped types of windows. Designs featuring arched or half-moon top windows fall under this category.

White interior home with specialty windows

Image Source: Canva

Whether operable or fixed, specialty-shaped types of windows come in uncommon styles. It’s one of the window styles for homes that adds individuality and elegance to your space.

⭐Best For: Architectural interest, unique design elements, custom homes

💵Cost in Ontario: Highly dependent on window size, but usually is $500 to $1,300

Pros Cons
  • Add character and visual appeal
  • Can complement unique architectural styles
  • The most expensive window type (when you opt for larger windows)
  • Can be challenging to find, install, and clean
  • May require custom window treatments

Get The Windows of Your Dream Home with Clera Windows + Doors

Are you ready to adorn your home with a harmonious combination of different house window styles? Clera Windows + Doors has all types of windows you need. For the past 41+ years, Clera has transformed hundreds of homes by boosting aesthetics, improving ventilation, and helping homeowners save on energy bills.

Browse through the different residential window styles we offer, and contact our team for a FREE estimate today.

Related Articles