If your home has a traditional design, then it’s important that the windows you choose convey that same classic appeal. There are a few different styles of windows on the market, but these three styles tend to coordinate best with traditional architecture like that seen in Victorian, Craftsman, and Prairie homes. Each window style has its own advantages that you’ll want to consider when making your choice.

Casement Windows

Casement windows consist of a single sash mounted into the window frame by hinges. The hinges may be placed on the right- or left-hand side depending on your preference. To open the window, you turn a little crank. Latches on the opposite side of the hinges lock the window into place when it is closed.

Casement windows were common during the Victorian era and around the turn of the 20th century in the United States, but they’re not traditional on Craftsman homes. These windows are sometimes fitted with lattices to add character.

The primary advantage of casement windows is that they’re incredibly energy efficient. The crank-latch system seals the window sash tightly into the frame, preventing air from leaking through. Casement windows are very secure as long as they’re latched properly. Since the windows open to the side, they catch a lot of breezes and allow ventilation.

Because the windows swing outward, you also need to limit obstructions like trees and shrubs on the outside of your home.

Double-Hung Windows

Double-hung windows consist of two sashes mounted inside a single frame. To open the window, you can either slide the top sash down or the bottom sash up.

These windows are the most popular choice among homeowners because the windows have a very simple look that coordinates well with most traditional architecture. It’s easy to dress them up by placing a grille over one of the sashes, which is popular in Craftsman and Prairie homes. Double-hung windows are also easy to clean. The sashes can be tilted inward, allowing you to wipe the outsides of the windows from inside your home.

The only slight shortcoming of double-hung windows is their energy inefficiency. While you can easily find models made with energy-efficient glass and frame materials, the windows simply don’t fit as tightly into their frames as casement windows do. Therefore, they will always be slightly less efficient.

Bay and Bow Windows

Though people tend to use the terms “bay window” and “bow window” interchangeably, there is a slight difference between these two styles. Bay windows consist of four or five windows placed side by side in an arc shape. Bay windows consist of three panels-one in the middle of the window and two placed to each side of the window at an angle and protruding from the home’s exterior wall.

The middle window in a bay window is inoperable, while the two side windows are either casement or doublehung windows. In a bow window, all four or five windows are of the same style, either hung or casement.

You wouldn’t always choose a bay or bow arrangement for every window opening, but it is a good way to add character to one or two rooms in your traditionally styled home. These window arrangements become the focal point of the room because they are so large. Bay and bow windows also let in plenty of natural light.

Because they are so large, however, bay and bow windows tend to decrease the energy-efficiency of your home. Even if you choose the most energy-efficient glass possible, adding an expansive bay or bow window may still result in some energy loss.

Casement, double-hung, and bay or bow windows all come in a huge array of colors and styles. Contact us to learn more about your options and start narrowing down the styles you want for your traditional home.