Window Replacement 101

Ready to replace your old windows with more energy-efficient options? Looking into glass options for increased privacy? Or maybe you’re not sure if you need to replace your windows at all. Here’s how to tell.

Home window replacement is more than just a practical upgrade. It’s a smart investment with many benefits. Here’s a closer look at why upgrading your windows could be a game-changer for your home.

Single hung windows are the most traditional window replacement style, with a fixed top sash and a bottom sash that moves up vertically to open the window. They’re cost-effective, efficient, and easy to maintain. Plus, because they’re such a popular choice, they come in many different materials, colors, and glass types, so they can match any home’s style. 

Ideal for: Any room in your home.

Unlike traditional single hung windows, double hung windows have sashes that are operable at both the top and bottom. They provide more ventilation while remaining cost-effective. Many also have a feature where the sashes tilt inward for easy cleaning, making them a great choice for second and third-story areas that aren’t easily reached via a ladder. 

Ideal for: Rooms that need extra ventilation; second- and third-story windows.

Casement windows feature hinges on the side and open outward like a door using either a crank or a push handle. They provide a large, unobstructed glass area, like a picture window, but also offer excellent ventilation as their design can catch the breeze. They’re also easy to open in awkward and hard-to-reach places, like corners.

This window replacement type opens with a sash that slides left or right without protruding. Sliding windows come in both single and double slider styles; double slider means both sashes open. They’re typically easy to operate, and they have a sleek, minimalistic design that won’t protrude into the outdoors, making them ideal for small spaces.

Ideal for: Rooms facing walkways, porches, patios, and bedrooms.

Picture windows turn your wall into a portrait-like space. They’re fixed, which means they don’t open. That also means that they come in very large sizes that offer beautiful views of the outdoors unobstructed by sashes. They can be installed on their own in hard-to-reach spaces to provide light or paired with other window replacement styles to provide ventilation. 

Ideal for: Any room with a view and rooms where you want a lot of natural light.

Awning windows open outward from the bottom with the turn of a handle or crank, creating an “awning” that keeps the elements out while letting air in. They typically come in smaller sizes and are easy to open from the bottom, making them ideal for areas with less space or placement high on a wall. 

Ideal for: Garage, laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, and ​​basement window replacement.

You don’t necessarily have to use a standard style for your window replacement project. Combine standard windows with specialty windows, such as a radius half-circle window, a bay or bow window, or a garden window, or use them on their own to create a unique look for your home that’s all yours.

Ideal for: Any window replacement project.

Made primarily from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, vinyl windows are virtually maintenance-free, work well on any home, and are very cost-effective. MILGARD replacement vinyl windows use high-quality titanium dioxide and stabilizers to improve energy efficiency and performance. We also developed a special process for vinyl finishes that allows UV rays to pass through color and reflect off the frame, preserving the longevity of the vinyl.

Fiberglass window replacement is the best option if you want an exceptionally strong frame with a traditional wood profile. MILGARD’s frames are a proprietary blend of resin and glass fibers that is resistant to warping, swelling, and rotting and improves energy efficiency in any climate. We offer four exterior colors and regularly test the fiberglass for color uniformity, gloss, film thickness, and chemical resistance to ensure quality and longevity.

Aluminum is a great choice if your window replacement project is on a budget but you still want quality. It’s low-maintenance and lightweight, with a slim profile, but also strong and versatile. MILGARD aluminum windows have anodized or baked-on finishes for long-lasting color, with sealed, mechanically joined corners that keep their shape long-term. We also use a thermally improved aluminum that improves energy efficiency.