Sealy Design 101 — Windows

VIDEO: What To Consider When Buying Windows

5 overall things to consider when deciding on windows

    1. How they operate/functional style:
  • Casement
  • Awning
  • Single hung
  • Double hung
  • Slider
  • Bay
  • Picture

    2. How they look:
  • Style (e.g. cottage, French)
  • Colour (inside and out),
  • Additional elements (e.g. grills, hardware)

    3. How they are constructed:
  • Vinyl
  • Aluminum
  • Wood
  • Aluminium clad
  • Fiberglass
  • Composite – usually wood and plastic
  • Steel

    4. Specific characteristics:
  • Gas filled
  • Glass options- Sound reduction, energy coatings (e.g. low e, self-cleaning), frosting, safety glass…
  • Screens
  • In windows blinds
  • Material of glass spacers- stainless steel, aluminum, vinyl, composite

    5. Type of installation:
  • Retrofit- new window in old frame, exterior wood in capped with aluminum. Cost effective, but loose glass area
  • Tear out (Brick to Brick) - entire old window and frame are removed and replaced with a new unit. Slightly more money, maximum energy efficiency and the most glass surface.
  • New build

Styles of Windows


Awning Window
Bay Window

Casement Window
Casement Picture
Window

Single Hung Window
Double Hung Window

Slider Window

Windows comparison chart

  Vinyl Aluminum Wood Aluminum Clad Wood Composite Fiberglass Steel Soundproof
COST Low-Mid Range Low-Mid Range Mid-High Range High High Mid-High Range Very High Mid-High Range
APPEARANCE Modern Modern Traditional Traditional Traditional Modern Industrial Almost Invisible
COLOUR
OPTIONS		 Limited Interior;
Unlimited Exterior		 Unlimited Interior & Exterior Unlimited "Customer to Paint" Unlimited Interior to Paint; Limited Exterior Limited Limited Interior & Exterior Limited Limited
DURABILITY High Range High Range Low-Mid Range Mid Range High Range High Range High Range High Range
INSULATION
VALUE		 High Range Mid Range High Range High Range High Range High Range Low Range Mid Range
MAINTENANCE Low Low High Mid Mid Low Mid Low
OPTIONS Many Limited Limited Limited Limited Limited Limited Limited
ADVANTAGES Fits any budget, Easy Clean, Fusion Welded for Strength Commercial Applications Paintable Interior & Exterior Paintable Interior Simulate Wood Durable Material Fire Rated Industrial Application Excellent for Condos & Homes; Maximum sound reduction; Interior Installation
DISADVANTAGES Not Paintable Conducts Heat/Cold Rotting, Requires Maintenance Rotting, Requires Maintenance Limited Suppliers, Materials may separate Limited Suppliers, Corners Glued & Screwed Together, Bulky Frames Very Limited Suppliers, Heavy Not a Stand Alone Window