The 18 types of windows for your home are double-hung, single-hung, casement, awning, sliding, picture, bay, bow, hopper, jalousie, skylight, garden, transom, storm, egress, glass block, fixed, and arched.
Your home can use all 18 of these window types depending on the room, budget, and purpose. In Indianapolis, the climate swings between cold winters and hot, humid summers. Those temperature changes wear down window seals faster than in milder parts of the country. This guide covers all 18 types so you can pick the right one for each room in your home.
Key Takeaways
- Double-hung windows are the most common window type in U.S. homes
- Awning windows stay open during rain without letting water inside
- Indiana sits in the Energy Star North-Central zone, which requires a U-factor of 0.27 or lower
- Casement and awning windows seal tighter than sliding or single-hung styles
- Bay and bow windows make a room feel larger without adding square footage
What Are the 18 Types of Windows You Can Put in a Home?
The 18 window types are double-hung, single-hung, casement, awning, sliding, picture, bay, bow, hopper, jalousie, skylight, garden, transom, storm, egress, glass block, fixed, and arched.
1. Double-Hung Windows
A double-hung window has two sash panels that both slide up and down inside the window frame. Both panels tilt inward so you can clean the outside glass from inside.
Best for: bedrooms and living rooms.
This is the most common pick in Indianapolis and fits ranch and colonial homes well.
2. Single-Hung Windows
A single-hung window only moves on the bottom panel. The top sash stays fixed. It costs less than a double-hung and works fine in smaller rooms.
Best for: bathrooms and small bedrooms.
Indy note: A solid budget option, but cleaning the top glass pane from outside takes more effort.
3. Casement Windows
A casement window is hinged on one side and swings open outward like a door. You turn a crank to open and close it. When shut, the sash presses tight against the window frame with a firm compression seal.
Best for: kitchens and living rooms facing the backyard.
In cold Indy winters, a casement window compression seal reduces air leakage more than a sliding track.
4. Awning Windows
Awning windows are hinged at the top and push out from the bottom. When open, the sash angles outward like a small awning over the gap. Rain hits the glass and runs off the outer face. You use a crank to open and close them.
When closed, the sash presses against the window frame and reduces heat transfer in winter. Set one below a picture window and you get both daylight and airflow on the same wall.
Best for: kitchens above the sink, bathrooms, basements, and spots where you want ventilation without a wide opening.
Here is what makes awning windows a good fit for Indiana homes:
- The sash tilts out from the bottom so rain runs off the glass, not into the room
- The crank lets you open them from tight spots, like above a kitchen counter
- Placing them high on a wall gives you privacy and airflow at the same time
- With low emissivity glass coating, they meet Energy Star ratings for Indiana’s North-Central zone
Indiana gets heavy rain in spring. Awning windows let you keep the window open during a light storm and still get fresh air moving through the room.
5. Sliding Windows
A sliding window moves side to side on a track. No crank, no hinge. Simple to use on wide walls.
Best for: wide walls in ranch-style or modern homes.
Track seals wear faster in freeze-thaw conditions. Check the weatherstripping every year.
6. Picture Windows
A picture window is fixed and does not open at all. One large pane of glass with no dividers gives you an unobstructed view. Good glazing on a picture window reduces solar gain in summer.
Best for: living rooms and walls that face a yard or street.
Indy note: Always add a working window nearby. A room with only picture windows gets no airflow.
7. Bay Windows
A bay window has three panels. The center panel sits flat against the wall. The two side panels angle outward and create a small extension. It adds space, beauty, and daylight to a room.
Best for: living rooms and master bedrooms.
Very popular in Carmel and Fishers where curb appeal matters.
8. Bow Windows
A bow window curves gently outward using four or more panels. The curve gives it a softer look than a bay window. Bow windows bring in more daylight than a flat wall and add more interior space along the sill.
Best for: formal living rooms and dining rooms.
Adds real character to older Indy bungalows and Tudor-style homes near Broad Ripple and Butler-Tarkington.
9. Hopper Windows
A hopper window is hinged at the bottom and tilts inward from the top. The hinge sits low on the frame, which makes it the opposite of an awning window.
Best for: basements.
Common in split-levels and older ranch homes on the south side of Indianapolis.
10. Jalousie Windows
A jalousie window has narrow glass slats that tilt open like horizontal blinds. They let air in but seal poorly against cold.
Best for: screened porches and sunrooms only.
Don’t put jalousie windows on any heated exterior wall. The gaps in the slats let cold air in, and Indiana winters raise your heating costs because of that.
11. Skylight Windows
A skylight sits on the roof, not the wall. It pulls daylight in from above without using any wall space. Good insulated glazing on a skylight reduces solar gain through the roof in summer.
Best for: bathrooms, stairwells, and kitchens with little wall space.
Pick a model with a shade or low emissivity glass coating. Indiana summer sun through a roof pane heats a room up quickly without that protection.
12. Garden Windows
A garden window boxes out from the wall like a small greenhouse. It has glass on three sides and a shelf inside for plants. Among kitchen types of windows, this one gives the most usable interior space.
Best for: kitchens.
A south-facing kitchen garden window in Indianapolis captures winter sun and gives you a spot to grow herbs through cold months.
13. Transom Windows
A transom window is a narrow horizontal window placed above a door or another window. Most transoms are fixed. They add daylight and beauty to an entryway without using much wall space.
Best for: entryways, hallways, and above front doors.
Common in older Indianapolis neighborhoods like Irvington and Broad Ripple, mostly in Craftsman and foursquare homes.
14. Storm Windows
A storm window fits over your existing window and adds a second layer of glass. It improves thermal insulation and building insulation without a full window replacement.
Best for: older homes where a full replacement is not in the budget yet.
Storm windows are a short-term fix for drafty homes in Beech Grove or Speedway while you plan a full upgrade.
15. Egress Windows
An egress window is large enough for a person to climb through in an emergency. Indiana building code requires one in every finished basement bedroom.
Best for: basement bedrooms and below-grade sleeping rooms.
If you’re finishing a basement in Indianapolis, confirm egress sizing with the city before you start. Inspectors check this on every visit.
16. Glass Block Windows
Glass block windows use solid glass blocks set in mortar. They let light through but block any outside view. The solid blocks also reduce heat transfer through the wall opening.
Best for: basement bathrooms and utility rooms.
Common in older brick homes in Fountain Square and SoBro. They bring in daylight and add a layer of privacy at the same time.
17. Fixed Windows
A fixed window does not open. It comes in custom shapes like circles, ovals, or rectangles. These work for accent spots where you want light but no ventilation.
Best for: above doors, stairwells, and accent spots on a wall.
Popular in new construction homes in Westfield and Noblesville.
18. Arched / Round-Top Windows
An arched window has a half-circle or curved top. It usually sits above a standard window or door and is almost always fixed. Most homeowners use it as a decorative detail on the front of the home.
Best for: foyers and front-facing walls.
You see these in newer builds in Zionsville and Brownsburg, mostly on the front wall of the home.
Which Window Types Work Best for Indianapolis Homes?
Casement and awning windows hold up best in Indianapolis because their compression seals handle cold winters, hot summers, and spring rain better than other styles.
Indy winters drop into the single digits. Summers hit 88 to 90°F with high humidity. Freeze-thaw cycles wear down window frame seals every year.
Frame material matters too. Here is a quick comparison
| Frame Material | Best For | Indiana Notes |
| Polyvinyl chloride (vinyl) | Budget-friendly replacement | Handles thermal expansion well in Indy’s temperature swings |
| Fiberglass | High performance, long life | Low corrosion risk, takes paint easily after prep |
| Wood or engineered wood | Classic look, good R-value | Needs upkeep to prevent moisture damage in humid Indy summers |
| Aluminium | Modern design, slim frames | Conducts cold, so needs a thermal break in Indiana’s climate |
| Composite material | Durability with low maintenance | Resists corrosion and thermal expansion over years |
The National Fenestration Rating Council sets the ratings you should check before you buy. Look for a U-factor of 0.27 or lower for Indiana’s North-Central zone.
What Makes Awning Windows a Smart Pick for Many Indiana Rooms?
Awning windows hinge at the top, so they stay open in rain, seal tight in winter, and work well in rooms that need ventilation without a wide opening.
Some bathrooms in Indy homes get no airflow at all. Some kitchens have a window right above the sink that lets rain in whenever you open it. Awning windows handle both situations without changing your wall opening.
Here is why they work well:
- The top hinge holds the sash out at an angle so rain runs off the glass, not into the room
- The crank lets you open or close them from tight spots above a counter or sink
- The sash presses against the window frame when closed and reduces heat transfer in winter
- Insulated glazing with argon gas fill between the panes lowers heat loss further
- A low emissivity glass coating cuts solar gain in summer and keeps heat inside in winter
- The desiccant in the spacer bar pulls moisture out and stops condensation from forming between panes
- The compression seal leaves fewer gaps than a sliding track, which helps with energy conservation
Energy Star rates windows by U-factor and solar gain coefficient. Awning windows with insulated glazing and argon gas fill meet those ratings for Indiana homes.
How Do You Pick the Right Window for Each Room?
Pick the window based on what the room needs: airflow, privacy, cost, and Indiana’s climate ratings.
Does the room need airflow?
If yes, skip fixed and picture windows as your only choice. Add a casement, awning, or double-hung somewhere in the room.
What does the room do?
A basement bedroom needs an egress window by Indiana code. A kitchen above the sink works best with an awning window. A living room does well with casement or double-hung.
What is your budget?
Single-hung windows cost less than double-hung. Awning and casement styles cost more upfront but improve efficient energy use over time because of how tight they seal.
Does Indiana’s climate affect the choice?
Yes. For any exterior wall in Indy, look for Energy Star North-Central zone ratings with a U-factor of 0.27 or lower. The Window Source of Indy carries products that meet those numbers across every window type.
Ready to Choose
The Window Source of Indy offers a free in-home estimate with no pressure and no obligation. Every product comes with a lifetime warranty. One visit walks you through your options and helps you find the right fit for your Indianapolis home. Call (317) 746-6589 or book your free quote.
FAQs
What is the most common window type in American homes?
Double-hung windows are the most common. They work in almost any room and fit most home styles, from ranch to colonial.
Are awning windows good for rainy climates?
Yes, The top hinge tilts the sash out so rain runs off the glass. They work well through Indiana’s wet spring season.
Which window type seals tightest against Indiana winters?
Casement and awning windows seal the tightest. Both press the sash firmly against the window frame and reduce cold air entry more than sliding or single-hung styles.
Can I put awning windows in my bathroom?
Yes. Place them high on the wall for privacy and they still open for full ventilation. One of the best bathroom picks for Indy homes.
Do I need a permit to replace windows in Indianapolis?
Most like-for-like replacements do not need a permit. If you change the opening size or cut a new opening, you likely do. Check with the city before starting.