Classic Replacement Window Styles in Virginia & Washington, D.C. (part 2)

Dramatic Windows: Bay Windows, Bow Windows, Fixed Windows & Specialty Windows

In our first post on the most traditional replacement window styles available, we discussed Hung Windows, Horizontal Sliding Windows, Casement Windows, Awning Windows and Hopper Windows. In this post, we’ll continue our series discussing the more dramatic Bay Windows, Bow Windows, Fixed Windows and Specialty Windows.

Some of the more dramatic and unique windows include Bow Windows, Bay Windows, Garden Windows and Fixed Windows. Bay Windows, Bow Windows and Garden Windows extend out from the vertical wall of a building, adding architectural interest as well as additional room inside. They, like the other window we’ll discuss in this post, the Fixed Window, also admit more natural light into the home, making it feel more open and inviting.

Bay Windows

Replacement Bay Window

Bay Windows generally fill larger window openings. Made up of several smaller windows, these windows push out from the side of the building. Usually consisting of at least three separate windows “mulled” together, Bay Windows add more room and light to a building’s interior. In most cases, Bay Windows are made from two operable windows on the sides, which can be casements or single- or double-hungs, and a larger fixed window in the middle.

Bow Windows

Replacement Bow Window

Just like Bay Windows, Bow Windows extend out from the vertical wall of a building. Unlike Bay Windows, however, Bows usually consist of all operable windows, either Casement Windows or Hung Windows. Usually built from at least four or more operable windows, Bow Windows eschew the angular shape of the Bay Window, for a more gently curving arc.

Garden Windows

Another window style that can extend the interior space of a building is the Garden Window. Similar in some ways to the Bay and Bow Window in that they protrude from the side wall, Garden Windows generally are “boxier”, with sides set 90 degrees to the side wall, rather than at an angle. Often featuring an angled glass roof, these windows, as their name implies provide an ideal location from which to grow and display plants.

Replacement Picture & Specialty Windows

Fixed Windows

Fixed Windows do not have an operating sash at all. With the glass is affixed directly to the frame, in their larger, square or rectangular sizes, Fixed Windows are also known as Picture Windows. Fixed Windows often fill large openings, like a Bay or Bow Window, but with a single sheet of glass to provide uninterrupted views and let in abundant light. As a smaller accent windows, Fixed Windows are also known as Specialty Windows. Fixed Specialty windows come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be made in any number of standard and custom sizes to suit the needs of the building.

Contact Renewal by Andersen of Virginia and D.C., Your Replacement Window Expert

Renewal by Andersen of Virginia and Washington, D.C. is your replacement window expert. As a subsidiary of Andersen Windows, which has been manufacturing windows for over 100 years, we’ve made every standard window shape and style and thousands of custom windows as well. When looking for windows for your home, be sure to contact one of our experienced design consultants who will help you select the right window for your home and your personal style. Call us at 1-877-915-9940 for a free design consultation or fill out the short form on this page for more information.

Classic Replacement Window Styles in Virginia & D.C.

Replacement Window History

Over time, there are a number of classic window styles that have come to be a part of the fabric of the homes in the Virginia and Washington, D.C. area. These windows match the style of our homes and the character of our neighborhoods. In this first of two articles on the classic window styles for our area, we’ll discuss a basic history of the window and the styles we’ve come to know and love.

The earliest window style was likely just a hole in a wall, cave or other shelter to provide a view of approaching threats (both human and animal), let out the smoke of fires and to let in some light. Our forbearers were less concerned with keeping the weather out than with keeping themselves alive. Eventually, the invention of transparent glass enabled the very wealthy to be able to see out, let some light into their homes AND keep out the harshest weather. These early windows were a far cry from what we’ve come to know as a window today. Continue reading →

Renewal by Andersen Window & Door Visualizer Tool

Take Your New Windows for a Test Drive

Buying Replacement Windows for your home is an important decision for you and your family. It’s one you’ll probably only make once in a lifetime and you’ll live with the results of that decision for many, many years. It’s enough to keep you up at night with worry.

Not only do you want the best performing windows, but you want them to look good now and for a lifetime. You can check out all the specifications and do your research and homework on what will perform well and last for years (for more on this, see our Four Pillars of Your Replacement Window Satisfaction series), but how do you know what your windows will actually look like on, and in, your house. Up until now, it’s been a guessing game.

Now, thanks to Renewal by Andersen’s new Visualizer Tool, you don’t have to guess! You can see how your new windows will look on your home, both inside and out! It’s kind of like taking your windows for a test drive before you buy them. Continue reading →

Replacement Versus New Construction Windows

Insert Replacement versus Full Frame Replacement Windows, Part II

The last post, New Construction Versus Replacement Windows, Part I on this blog talked about the bewildering number of choices you have when you decide it’s time to replace your windows. To help simplify the process for you, we broke the first step down to a decision of whether you want to select Full Frame Replacement Windows, also known as New Construction Windows, or Inset Replacement Windows, or more commonly, Replacement Windows. The previous article went on to describe in some detail what’s involved in using Full Frame or New Construction Windows and in this post we’ll do the same for Inset Replacement Windows.

You will have to make a number of choices after this first one, as we described in our 12-part series on the Four Pillars to Your Replacement Window Satisfaction, but it all starts with this first choice. This article will cover the features and benefits of Insert Replacement Windows in detail so that you can make the best choice for you and your home.

Why Insert Replacement Windows Continue reading →

New Construction Versus Replacement Windows

Replacement versus New Construction Windows, Part 1

If you visit your local home center looking for new windows, you’ll probably be overwhelmed with the dozens of different windows in many different styles and configurations. Selecting a new window is like eating an elephant: you’ve got to take it one bite at a time.

The first choice you’ll have to make when you decide to replace the windows in your home is whether to get “New Construction Windows” or “Replacement Windows”. New Construction Windows are also known as “Full Frame Replacement Windows”, while Replacement Windows are also known as “Insert Replacement Windows”. The choice is yours, but there are some pretty important differences between the two types, particularly on the installation end of things. Generally speaking, there is little difference between the two types of windows in terms of energy performance, available options and features, so your decision will likely be based upon how you want your windows installed. Continue reading →

Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience Summary

Over the past few months, we’ve published a 12-part series of articles about all the key features that add up to a successful replacement window project. In case you missed any of them, below is a summary and index to all the articles with links to make it easy to find exactly the information for which you’re looking. We hope you enjoyed the series and will share it with your friends. At the bottom of each post are a selection of icons to help you share the information.

Summary: There are four main pillars that make up a great replacement window experience. Like a chair with a broken leg, missing just one of these will adversely affect your happiness with your new windows for many years. In this multi-part series, we discussed in detail the many aspects that make up the pillars of your happiness with your new windows. Continue reading →

Four Pillars: Window Glass Part II

Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience: Window Glass (Part II)

Replacement Window Glass In this, our final post on the Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience, we conclude with a discussion of today’s high performance insulated glass. While the largest and most obvious part of your window, your window glass will have a huge impact on your comfort, and the energy efficiency of the window as a whole. In some ways, we saved the best for last.

Our last post discussed the history of glass as used in windows and how the insulated glass we’ve all become familiar with came into being. In this post, we’ll discuss the advancements and improvements that have been made to modern insulated glass and how these will affect your comfort, energy bills, and ultimately, your satisfaction with your replacement window choice. Continue reading →

Four Pillars: Window Glass Part I

Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience: Window Glass (Part I)

Replacement Window Glass In our previous 10 posts in our series on the Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window experience we covered the important aspects of your Window Installation, Window Design, and Window Frames. In this, Part One of our final section, we’ll discuss the glass in your new windows.

Window Glass

Your new windows will be made up of mostly glass. It’s the essential element of your window, without which you would simply have a hole in the wall. This would not be particularly energy efficient, safe or practical and you would be living with any critter that happened to find your home more comfortable than the great outdoors. Continue reading →

Four Pillars: Replacement Window Frame (Part 2)

Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience: Window Frame (Part II)

In previous sections in our continuing series on the Four Important Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience, we referenced the importance of Installation and Design. In our last post, we discussed window frame materials including Wood, Steel and Aluminum and in this, the second of two parts on Replacement Window Frames, we’ll discuss the features and benefits of modern Vinyl and Composite window frame and why they are some of the most popular materials for replacement window frames today.

Vinyl Windows

Vinyl has become a popular replacement window framing material over the past decade or so because it has some distinct advantages over other window frame materials like wood, steel and aluminum. However, it also has a number of disadvantages of which you should be aware before considering this material for your window frames. Continue reading →

Four Pillars: Replacement Window Frame (Part 1)

Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience: Window Frame (Part I)

Replacement Window Frames In our continuing series on the Four Pillars of a Great Replacement Window Experience, we’ve discussed the importance of the Design and Installation of your new windows. In the next two parts, we’ll discuss the history and characteristics of different frame materials and how they can affect your ultimate window satisfaction. In this post, we’ll cover some of the first window frame materials: Wood, Steel and Aluminum. In the next, we’ll discuss Vinyl and Composite window frames.

Your Window Frame

Over time, many materials have been used for the window frames: wood, metal, plastics and composites. Each of these materials have different characteristics with regard to durability, energy-efficiency and maintenance needs. Continue reading →

Renewal By Andersen of VA & DC

Your Replacement Window Source for North Virginia & D.C.