Window Wonderland

Do you ever find yourself looking over a PotteryBarn catalog and love everything one the page, but can't figure out what makes it so perfect? Like even if you bought everything in the room, yours would still not look as good.  As you may have guessed, those rooms have been beautifully staged with architectural elements most of us don't have in our homes.  Something that can get completely overlooked, yet make a surprisingly big impact are windows.  

Let's have a brief lesson on your window options....

Picture Window

A window that is large and meant to capture a view.  These windows don't open.

StoreFront Window

Typically non-residential, but they are becoming quite popular for modern homes.  They typically start closer to the floor than traditional windows, and go higher.  They don't use decorative millions and look best spanned across a home.

Clerestory Windows

These windows are very high. On the interior, they usually hug the ceiling.  Typically they run in long rectangular rows.  These windows are a great option to get light into a dark space.  The higher the window, the brighter the sunlight coming in will be. 

Hopper windows

These windows tilt, rather than slide open.  They are most popular in basements and attics where you are less likely to have a tall window.  They are a totally unique look, and as the photo below shows, they don't need to be confined to secondary areas.

Jalousie Windows

I think Florida when I hear jalousie windows.  They are great for ventilation because you can open virtually the entire window expanse.  There isn't a stationary part, as with most windows.

Double Hung Windows

These windows can open two different ways, from the top or bottom.  They have two sashes, which allow for two different directions the window can open.

Casement Windows

The easiest way to remember these windows is that they open like a door.  They have hinges on one side, and are a great ventilation option!

Transom windows

Transoms really serve two purposes, they let in more light, and also make the window (or door) look bigger and more substantial.  Some are operable, but most are stationary.

Photo Credits: http://www.tcsidingprofessionals.com/windows-doors/sunrise-windows/picture/, http://stockbargerglass.com/about/windows.php, sunset.com, Biglwindows.com, http://www.spec-net.com.au/press/1011/smr_121011.htm, hgtv, lorigilder.com, http://www.statewideenergysolutions.com/single_casement_windows, unitedhomeexperts.com,