If you are looking for replacement windows in fairly standard sizes, one of the most common styles you will find is the double-hung window. These feature two panes of glass – each in a separate frame or sash. With a true double-hung window, the bottom pane and top pane can both slide up or down independently of one another.

Some cheaper models only allow movement of the bottom pane. In these cases, there is generally only a screen on the bottom half of the window. Either style works equally well to ventilate your home with fresh air and reduce the accumulation of indoor air pollutants.

These windows may be placed on either side of a larger “picture” window that doesn’t open. That way, the room has a view and plenty of sunlight along with a nice breeze. Double hung windows that open easily may also play a role in an emergency fire exit strategy.

Compression weather-stripping, springs, or counterweights are used to hold the open sash firmly in the desired position. If these components become worn or damaged, they need to be repaired or replaced. Otherwise, the open window sash may slide down into the sill forcefully enough to cause the pane to shatter.

Double hung windows can be purchased with vinyl, wood or metal frames. Energy efficient styles often feature double paned glass and UV radiation protection. Installing replacement windows that are the same size as your current windows is relatively easy. However, making sure the seal around the jambs and sill is airtight takes some attention to detail. Always read the manufacturer’s warranty before attempting a DIY window replacement to make sure you aren’t voiding your coverage.

Replacement windows are only as good as the warranty that backs them up. Limited warranties are just that – they restrict what a company will do to make things right if things go wrong. Look for manufacturers who offer products with at least a 20 year warranty period. Make sure you understand which components are covered and what circumstances might void your warranty.

Going with a name brand product may not be cheap. However, you may be stuck with a worthless agreement if you buy from a company that goes out of business or is sold after you purchase your windows. When this happens, you are likely to get the run around on who is actually responsible for honoring your claim.

That’s also something to take into consideration when it comes to the installation warranty (which is a separate agreement). There are plenty of fly-by-night home improvement “professionals” who will be long gone by the time the defects in their work become apparent. Choose an established installation company that has a reputation to uphold.

A full lifetime warranty that covers your windows for as long as you own your home is ideal. This type of guarantee generally means you can’t be charged any service or repair fees for fixing a defective product. In addition, the warrantor must actually correct the problem and can’t simply refund your purchase price and walk away without your consent.

Read the Fine Print!

Some manufacturers may offer to transfer the warranty when you sell your home to a new owner. That’s an additional perk that can increase the value of your investment in replacement windows. Always store your warranties for home improvements with your mortgage documents so everything is in one place when you need it.

Windows can bring a lot of cheerful sunshine into your home. However, a perfectly clear pane of glass can sometimes be a “pain”. If you’ve ever had a child run into a sliding glass door or a bird fly into a window, you know this all too well. Fortunately, there are solutions that are both attractive and practical.

Celtic Window Decal

Frosted vinyl decals are available in sizes for every window and glass door. These can feature palm trees, lighthouses, frolicking dolphins, or other pleasant images. You can place decals on just the borders/corners or choose a large design for the center of the glass for greatest visibility. For kid’s rooms, decorative stickers that represent favorite cartoon characters or other interests may be appropriate.

Full color “stained glass” decals or intricately etched film can be applied in sheets if privacy is preferable to having a view. For best results, choose a product that is removable. That way, if you make a mistake during installation you can peel it off and start over.

If you want to maintain the clear appearance of your windows while keeping your feathered friends safe, consider bird decals. WindowAlert stickers are transparent to the human eye. However, they contain a substance that reflects UV light. Birds can see colors in the ultraviolet spectrum and will be able to avoid flying into the glass.

Elliptical Round Top Window

Round top windows can be used anywhere on the exterior of your house. However, they provide the most impact when used on the front of your home. You can install a small half round over your door or use a large, single paned model as a picture window. Round tops are also often used as part of multi-window assemblies with several rectangular panes crowned by an arched piece. Locating a curved window under the peak of a roof can soften the harsh angle and make your home look more inviting.

Types of Round Tops

The arched upper edge of this type of window can be based on a segment of a perfect circle (this is called a true radius). Or, it can be elliptical or oval if you need a shallower curve. For an arc that doesn’t round off at the side edges, choose the “eyebrow” style. Gothic windows are another option. These are pointed at the top like the windows you might find in a cathedral. This imposing look often works best on larger homes with a historical motif.

Additional Information

Installing a round top window requires more skill than putting in a simple rectangular pane. The basic steps are the same; but accuracy in measuring and cutting is absolutely critical. If the radius opening is off, the window will not fit or there will be gaps along the upper edge. If you have your window custom made rather than selecting a standard size, the molding may need to be pre-bent by a company with special equipment.

Windows and sliding glass patio doors on the first floor of a residence are among the most vulnerable home entry points. A determined thief can break the glass to get inside. However, most criminals don’t want to attract that much attention. There are many security strategies you can use to inconvenience, slow down, or call attention to a potential burglar.

Connect all windows and doors to a central alarm system. If a burglar decides to enter anyway, the time he has available to locate and carry out anything of value is greatly reduced. Place alarm company stickers on your windows as another disincentive.

Many standard patio door locking mechanisms are merely clasps. These simple contraptions can easily be forced with a screwdriver, pry bar, or even a butter knife. Simply placing a properly sized dowel rod or length of PVC pipe directly in the track of sliding patio door can discourage a would-be burglar. Removing the handles from casement windows is another quick fix

Install sturdier locking devices to serve as a backup. Track grips, pins, keyed sash locks and slide bolts, anti-sliding blocks/wedges, and specialty keyed locks are some of your available options. These are available at any home improvement store.

As a last resort, replace your windows with tempered or wired glass. Although this is an expensive solution, any attempt to break in through the glass will be extremely difficult and noisy. Burglar bars are another high-end solution.

Frosted glass is a favorite material for areas of the home where privacy is important. Bathrooms and bedrooms that have exterior windows are ideal locations to install frosted panels. If you have a home office, you could use this option to diffuse sunlight into your workspace and reduce glare.

You might also use this as a decorative concept in an entry way. The intention is to brighten an area without actually making it appear completely open. The soft glow of natural or artificial light through frosted glass creates a serene atmosphere.

Types of Frosting

Traditionally, frosted glass has been created at factories using sandblasting or acid etching processes. These panes can incorporate intricate designs such as falling leaves or geometric shapes.

Today, there are DIY kits you can use to apply a frosted appearance to your windows. These come in the form of films or sprays. With films, you must be careful not to get wrinkles in the material. For sprays, keeping the application even across the surface of the glass is the main challenge.

The newest and coolest type of frosted glass makes use of cutting edge technology. Switchable liquid crystal panes can be installed anywhere in your home. An electrical current is passed through the liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two panes of glass. The flick of a switch turns the window from transparent to opaque. You can use this type of material to block whatever type of light you choose, including a targeted spectrum of UV rays.

Homeowners frequently select vinyl window replacements because they do not require painting and they are easy to maintain. The better quality the window is made out of the higher the price for the windows. Some vinyl replacement windows are actually wood windows with vinyl cladding (the exterior of the window is coated in vinyl). Homeowners like these ones because you get the natural wood look on the inside, and the low maintenance features on the outside.

Wood replacement windows are also still very popular. They are much more affordable and the homeowners like the natural wood look. The downside of wood windows is do require you to maintain them and paint them. Also, over time the window sill splits.

Metal/Steel window replacements are also another good alternative. The only downside of these windows is that they can be dented resulting in permanent damage.

There are many different Skylight options out there today. You can get Skylights made out of many different materials, sizes and styles and can be operational or fixed. You can even get them with integrated screens to help block out the sun if you wish.

In the beginning, skylight windows were only available in single pane glass. But today, skylights are available in multi-pane Low-E glass and also tinted coatings to reflect the suns rays and radiation block. That will help keep the home cooler.

You can also get ventilated skylights if you choose. You can open them with hand cranks, switch controlled motors, or you can even have them installed with an automatic temperature sense that is self controlled to open up to allow warm air to be vented out of a room. They also are available with insect screens.

All windows come with a selection of ultra-violet ratings and insulation for you to choose from. Normally, the better the skylight the higher U-values and R-values they have and they usually come with a much higher price tag. However, it is your home and it is always a good investment to go with the better product for the future.

Skylights are a really good natural lighting option and accent piece. You can always add this to a new home or make it a great home addition to your existing home. They are easily retrofitted into the home. So I suggest when you are thinking about adding a little light or brightness to your home, look into skylights and see if that’s an option.

If you add bay windows to your house, it can make the house feel brighter and more spacious. It will also add a touch of elegance to the home. Wooden shades in a bay windows are necessary to provide shade from sun rays and they also add a little privacy from the outside.

Measurements

You need to measure the bay windows before you buy any type of wooden shades to make sure that the size is correct. First measure the width of each of the window panes because some bay window panes are different sizes. Now measure the length of one of the window panes, the length of the window panes should be the same for each of them. You will need to add 2 inches to this measurement for the depth of the shades.

Hanging

When you hang them, measure 2 inches above the ceiling corners of one of the window panes and mark with a pencil. Next you will need to take the bracket and line it up with these marks. Now use a drill to lightly screw in the bracket. Keep doing this step with the other bay window panes. When you have finished with all the brackets and they have been lightly attached to the wall, use a screwdriver or drill to fasten them securely into place. When all the brackets are secured, the wooden shades can be attached to the brackets.

If you want to add delightful, old fashioned charm to your home, you can’t go wrong with window awnings. Nothing says “small town USA” like these brightly colored canvas accents. Residential awnings may be purchased in standard sizes or custom made for your windows. The dimensions are typically measured in height and projection (the depth of the overhang). The larger the awning, the more shade it will provide for your window.

Awning Styles

Canvas awnings may be open or enclosed on the sides. They can feature a dome top or have a sleek rectangular profile. The valance (the front edge that hangs down) may be scalloped, notched, or straight. With a huge number of colors and stripe combinations to choose from, you can find an awning style to suit any home.

Installation and Care Tips

Installing an awning is very simple. You will need a ladder, a drill and bits, a screwdriver, a pencil, and a level. The assembly instructions will vary a little from one product to the next but the basics are the same. Centering and keeping the awning level is, of course, the most important step. Here are a couple of other important tips:

Drill into the header and studs to install the back bar/return arms for maximum support.

Take care not to puncture the canvas fabric with the drill or screwdriver while you are working.

For cleaning, simply use a garden hose to spray your awnings down once a month. Don’t let dirt build up on the canvas – this can lead to mildew growth and staining. You can use warm water and dishwashing soap for deeper cleaning. Let the fabric air dry.

Windows take a good beating all the time. The finish degrades. The effects
of the sunlight and moisture make it necessary to sand and strip the window. Most windows installed before the 1950′s were done with clear finishes and they were shellacked. Then came lacquers and now polyurethane is the standard for homeowners. If you won’t be stripping the old finish,sand carefully to ensure that the new coats adhere well.  What about stripping a painted window and finishing it clear? You face the challenge of coaxing paint from the crevices of the trim, the window frame, and all the molding. It can be done, but it’s not easy. Take a good look and assess how much work you have ahead of you. You may want to send the woodwork out to a dip-and-strip shop.

Step1: SAND OR STRIP THE EXISTING FINISH

If your window is in good condition, you can sand it to smooth the finish and dull the sheen. Make sure you cover your work area with a cheap drop cloth. Start with 120-grit sandpaper; after most of the work is done,  finish sanding it with 180-grit sandpaper for a smoother surface. If the sash doesn’t just pop out, you may have to carefully pry off trim pieces. Brush paint and varnish remover onto the window sashes. Make sure there is good ventilation and wear rubber gloves and a vapor respirator. Scrape off the finish with a putty knife. Rinse with the right solvent that is  recommended for the remover.

Step2: FILL HOLES

You can use wood putty to fill the flaws. You will want to spot-sand those areas when you are done. If you are using an oil-based finish, go over the window with a tack cloth or damp paper towel if you are using a water-based finish. There is not a putty that will match the wood exactly.  You can stain the wood and use a stainable putty that will absorb the  stain and come close to a match. But keep in mind, it won’t be a perfect  match. Try different brands to see which works the best for you.

Step3: MASK PANES

Use masking tape so you don’t get the finish on the glass. The low-tack  tapes are easy to remove and they leave less residue. They will also work  when you mask off the trim too. The white and blue rolls stick better than  the brown so I suggest you use those. There are a lot of low-tack tapes  out there, so read the labels and find out which one will work best for  you. Mask the two side edges of the sash; they are usually left unfinished so the finish won’t stick when you open the window.

Step4: APPLY THE STAIN AND FINISH

If the window is stripped and you want to darken it or just stain it, do it now. The stain will only work evenly if you have throughly removed the old finish. If the window is made with a soft wood, you will have an additional problem staining it. Soft wood will absorb the stain unevenly and it will look blotchy. Apply a gel stain if the wood is soft, it won’t blotch because the gel doesn’t soak deep enough into the wood.  Apply at least two coats for best results. Sills take the worst of the weather so I would apply three coats there.

Step5: REMOVE THE MASKING TAPE

As soon as the finish begins to dry, remove the the tape from the glass to prevent adhesive residue. If you have residue on the windows, draw a sharp utility knife along the edges of each pane.

Giving shape to your home’s exterior with geometric replacement windows is lots of fun. Finding the perfect location is your first step. Many homeowners choose to put an accent window just below the apex of the roof. It can be an actual window looking into an attic loft, or a faux one that is merely decorative. Round “porthole”, half circle, and octagonal styles are popular for this type of application. They draw the eye up to the tallest point of your home making it look more imposing.

You can also flank standard, rectangular windows with smaller right angle triangle or trapezoid shaped accent panes. These angular shapes add interest to your home exterior. Use your imagination – these can be placed in almost any area. Geometric windows are usually non-opening, so don’t rely solely on this style if you want to have the option of letting in fresh air.

Larger windows such as bay or bow styles offer you the ability to take geometry 3 dimensional. Use at least three sections or as many as eight to create a radius that gives you an expanded view into your back or front yards. For a ray of bright color, consider adding geometric windows with panes of colored glass in your kitchen or bathroom. Install these decorative stained glass accents in walls with a southern exposure for maximum effect.