A window either moves or it does not, and how it moves decides most of what matters: the air it lets in, the space it needs outside, and how it reads on the elevation. These are the eleven types that cover nearly every house.
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Window types at a glance
Exterior elevations at one scale, under a 6′-8″ head height and a 9′-0″ ceiling.
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01
2′-0″–4′-0″ W · 3′-0″–6′-0″ H
Lower sash operates; upper sash fixed.
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02
2′-0″–4′-0″ W · 3′-0″–6′-0″ H
Both sashes operate vertically.
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03
1′-6″–3′-0″ W each · 3′-0″–6′-0″ H
Side-hinged sash opens outward.
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04
2′-0″–4′-0″ W · 1′-6″–3′-0″ H
Top-hinged sash opens outward.
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05
3′-0″–7′-0″ W · 2′-0″–5′-0″ H
Sash slides horizontally.
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06
2′-0″–8′-0″+ W · 2′-0″–6′-0″+ H
Fixed glazing for light and views.
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07
2′-0″–3′-0″ W · 1′-0″–2′-0″ H
Bottom-hinged sash opens inward.
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08
4′-0″–10′-0″+ W · 1′-0″–3′-0″ projection
Projects beyond the wall to widen the view and the room.
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09
6′-0″–12′-0″+ W · 1′-0″–2′-0″ projection
Curved projection formed by multiple window units.
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10
1′-0″–3′-0″ H · width varies
High-level glazing for daylight and privacy.
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11
Custom sizes
Non-standard geometry used for architectural emphasis.
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Key
How to read the drawings
- Frame and fixed glass
- Sash that moves
- Swing: the lines meet at the hinge
- Direction of travel
- 6′-8″ head height and 9′-0″ ceiling
Exterior elevations, all drawn to one scale.
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How windows operate
Seven ways a sash can move. A section cuts through the wall; a plan looks down on it.
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01Section
Vertical · one sash
Single-hung
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02Section
Vertical · both sashes
Double-hung
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03Plan
Hinged at side · opens out
Casement
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04Section
Hinged at top · opens out
Awning
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07Section
Hinged at bottom · opens in
Hopper
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05Plan
Horizontal
Sliding
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06Section
Does not open
Fixed / picture
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Common window types
Each type with its typical range, the rooms it usually serves, and one thing to plan for.
Single-hung window
- Width
- 2′-0″–4′-0″
- Height
- 3′-0″–6′-0″
- Common in
- Bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, general rooms
Lower sash operates; upper sash fixed.
Only the lower half opens, which matters where a bedroom window must also serve as an emergency exit.
In the plansPlan 003 uses 3′-6″ square single-hung windows in its bedrooms.
Double-hung window
- Width
- 2′-0″–4′-0″
- Height
- 3′-0″–6′-0″
- Common in
- Bedrooms, living rooms, traditional and historic houses
Both sashes operate vertically.
Many tilt in, so both faces of the glass can be cleaned from inside.
Casement window
- Width
- 1′-6″–3′-0″ each
- Height
- 3′-0″–6′-0″
- Common in
- Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, anywhere air matters
Side-hinged sash opens outward.
Paired or grouped for wider openings. The open sash needs clear space outside.
Awning window
- Width
- 2′-0″–4′-0″
- Height
- 1′-6″–3′-0″
- Common in
- Bathrooms, above counters, high on a wall
Top-hinged sash opens outward.
The sash sheds rain while open, and stacks well above or below a fixed window.
Sliding window
- Width
- 3′-0″–7′-0″
- Height
- 2′-0″–5′-0″
- Common in
- Bedrooms, living spaces, beside walkways and decks
Sash slides horizontally.
Nothing swings out, so it suits tight spots outside.
In the plansPlan 002 uses 6′-0″ sliders in its bedrooms and an 8′-0″ four-panel slider in the living room. Plan 001 and Plan 003 set small sliders high in the baths for privacy.
Fixed or picture window
- Width
- 2′-0″–8′-0″+
- Height
- 2′-0″–6′-0″+
- Common in
- Living rooms, great rooms, views, feature walls
Fixed glazing for light and views.
The widest range of any type and largely set by the manufacturer. Pair it with an operable unit for air.
In the plansPlan 002 puts a tall fixed window beside its entry.
Hopper window
- Width
- 2′-0″–3′-0″
- Height
- 1′-0″–2′-0″
- Common in
- Basements, below-grade rooms, utility spaces
Bottom-hinged sash opens inward.
Usually too small to count as a basement escape window, which typically takes a larger casement or slider.
Bay window
- Width
- 4′-0″–10′-0″+
- Projection
- 1′-0″–3′-0″
- Common in
- Living rooms, dining areas, kitchens
Projects beyond the wall to widen the view and the room.
Three units, the sides angled at 30° or 45°. A garden window is its small kitchen cousin, a glass box 12″ to 24″ deep.
Bow window
- Width
- 6′-0″–12′-0″+
- Projection
- 1′-0″–2′-0″
- Common in
- Living rooms, dining rooms, feature elevations
Curved projection formed by multiple window units.
Usually four to six equal units, each turned about 10° from the next.
Clerestory window
- Height
- 1′-0″–3′-0″
- Width
- Varies; often grouped
- Common in
- High ceilings, bathrooms, rooms close to neighbors
High-level glazing for daylight and privacy.
A placement rather than a product: usually fixed or awning units set above head height, often in a continuous band.
In the plansPlan 003 sets fixed windows high in its gable ends, above the wall plate, to light the vaulted room.
Specialty and geometric windows
- Size
- Made to order
- Common in
- Gable ends, feature windows, historic styles
Non-standard geometry used for architectural emphasis.
Almost always fixed and made to order, so allow for lead time and cost.
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Typical window sizes
Width and height ranges on one 0 to 12 foot scale.
| Type | Width | Height or projection |
|---|---|---|
| Single-hung | 2′-0″–4′-0″ | 3′-0″–6′-0″ |
| Double-hung | 2′-0″–4′-0″ | 3′-0″–6′-0″ |
| Casement | 1′-6″–3′-0″ each unit | 3′-0″–6′-0″ |
| Awning | 2′-0″–4′-0″ | 1′-6″–3′-0″ |
| Sliding | 3′-0″–7′-0″ | 2′-0″–5′-0″ |
| Fixed / picture | 2′-0″–8′-0″+ | 2′-0″–6′-0″+ |
| Hopper | 2′-0″–3′-0″ | 1′-0″–2′-0″ |
| Bay | 4′-0″–10′-0″+ overall | 1′-0″–3′-0″ projection |
| Bow | 6′-0″–12′-0″+ overall | 1′-0″–2′-0″ projection |
| Clerestory | Varies · often a continuous band | 1′-0″–3′-0″ |
| Specialty / geometric | Made to order | Made to order |
Windows are ordered by a four-digit call size, width first: a 3050 is a nominal 3′-0″ wide by 5′-0″ high. The frame itself is usually about ½″ smaller each way, and the rough opening in the framing a little larger than the frame. Every manufacturer publishes its own frame and rough opening sizes for each unit.
A bedroom window usually has to double as an emergency exit. Under the International Residential Code that means a clear opening of at least 5.7 sq ft, 20″ wide and 24″ high, with the sill no more than 44″ above the floor. Local codes vary.
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Where different windows are commonly used
Common patterns, not rules. Any of these can work elsewhere.
Commonly usedAlso used
| Room or condition | Single-hung | Double-hung | Casement | Awning | Sliding | Fixed | Hopper | Bay / bow | Clerestory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | Single-hung: commonly used | Double-hung: commonly used | Casement: commonly used | Awning: also used | Sliding: commonly used | Fixed: also used | Bay / bow: also used | Clerestory: also used | |
| Living room | Single-hung: also used | Double-hung: commonly used | Casement: commonly used | Awning: also used | Sliding: commonly used | Fixed: commonly used | Bay / bow: commonly used | Clerestory: commonly used | |
| Kitchen | Single-hung: also used | Double-hung: also used | Casement: commonly used | Awning: commonly used | Sliding: commonly used | Fixed: also used | Bay / bow: commonly used | Clerestory: also used | |
| Bathroom | Single-hung: commonly used | Double-hung: also used | Casement: also used | Awning: commonly used | Sliding: also used | Fixed: also used | Hopper: also used | Clerestory: commonly used | |
| Basement | Casement: commonly used | Awning: also used | Sliding: commonly used | Hopper: commonly used | |||||
| Hallway | Single-hung: commonly used | Double-hung: also used | Casement: also used | Awning: also used | Sliding: also used | Fixed: commonly used | Clerestory: commonly used | ||
| High ceiling | Casement: also used | Awning: commonly used | Fixed: commonly used | Clerestory: commonly used | |||||
| View / feature wall | Double-hung: also used | Casement: commonly used | Awning: also used | Sliding: also used | Fixed: commonly used | Bay / bow: commonly used | Clerestory: also used | ||
| Historic / traditional | Single-hung: commonly used | Double-hung: commonly used | Casement: also used | Fixed: also used | Bay / bow: commonly used |
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How to choose
Start from what the room needs.
- Need ventilation?CasementAwningDouble-hung
- Need view + daylight?Fixed / picture
- Limited exterior clearance?SlidingSingle-hungDouble-hungHopper
- Need privacy + daylight?ClerestoryAwningHigh fixed
- Architectural feature?BayBowSpecialty / geometric
Typical dimensions shown are common residential ranges for general planning reference. Actual window sizes and rough openings vary by manufacturer, product line, framing condition and project requirements. Verify dimensions with the selected manufacturer before construction.
