Window Types
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Text © Copyright December 2009, Oast House Archive;
licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence.Contents
- Standard Types
- Fixed
- Side hung casement
- Top hung casement
- Vertical Sliding Sash
- Horizontal Sliding Sash
- Pivoting
- Louvred
- Roof light
- Building Forms
- Bay
- Bow
- Oriel
- Roof lanterns
- Cupola
- Feature windows
- Circular window
- Fanlight
- Transom
- Dormer windows
- Blocked up windows
- Painted windows
- Glazing
- Stained glass
- Tinted glass
- Blown glass
- Leaded lights
- Square
- Lattice
- Patterned
- Curved & Arched Roofs
- Domed roof
- Glazed archway
- Glazed walkway
Standard Types
Fixed
A simple fixed window with no openings.
Side hung casement
A hinged side opening.
Top hung casement
Also known as Awning. A hinged top opening.
Vertical Sliding Sash
Also known as Double hung window. The top and bottom slide up an down on integral strings or wires. Ideal for circulation of air. Popular on Georgian period buildings.
Horizontal Sliding Sash
Similar to the vertical sliding sash, each sash slides sideways between rails, rather than hung on strings or wires.
Though used on vernacular buildings for many centuries they are now most common place in high rise flats and at kiosks, where an outward opening casement would be unsuitable.
A variation called 'Yorkshire light', has one (or more) fixed sash and a horizontally moving sash. So called because it is common in the Yorkshire regions, though it can be found throughout the UK from the Victorian period.
Pivoting
Louvred
Roof light
Building Forms
Bay
A bay window projects past the main wall of the building, usually with three sides in a square or chamfered design.
Bow
Oriel
Similar to the bay and bow windows, oriel windows do not touch the ground.
Roof lanterns
Cupola
A variation of lantern, usually with a dome-shaped roof.
Feature windows
Circular window
Also know as Oculus
Fanlight
Semi-circular or semi-elliptical window found above an entrance door. The term often extends to all shaped windows above a front door.
Transom
A smaller window above a door or window.
Dormer windows
see Roof Types
Blocked up windows
A window tax was introduced in Great Britain in during the 17th and 18th centuries. Many windows were bricked up to reduce taxes.
Some up bricked up for other reasons, such as a change of use or for decoration.
Some buildings have fake blocked-up windows as part of the design.
Painted windows
For those who can only dream of windows…
Glazing
Stained glass
Tinted glass
Blown glass
Leaded lights
Square
Lattice
Patterned
Curved & Arched Roofs
Domed roof
Glazed archway
Glazed walkway
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