Window frame types
Window frames may be made of timber, aluminium or plastic. The most common opening methods are awning, sliding, double hung, side hung and louvre.
![Diagram of an awning window - a window opening outwards, hinged at the top.](images/page_002_awning.gif)
Awning
- Usually timber - western red cedar or seasoned hardwood
- Usually purpose made, though some standard sizes are produced
- Stay-openers may be used
- Insect screens fitted on the inside
![Diagram showing a sliding window that opens to one side.](images/page_002_sliding.gif)
Sliding
- Generally aluminium
- Produced in standard sizes, with wide range of price and quality
- Range of colours in anodised acrylic
- Insect screens fitted on the outside
![Diagram of a window that slides open vertically.](images/page_002_double_hung.gif)
Double hung
- Traditionally timber - western red cedar or hardwood, but also available in aluminium
- Usually purpose made
- Counterbalancing systems, including lead weights and spiral friction balances
- Insect screens fitted on the outside
- Some roll-up screens fitted inside
![Diagram of a window that opens outwards, hinged at the side.](images/page_002_side_hung.gif)
Side hung
- Generally timber - western red cedar or seasoned hardwood
- Stay-openers may be used
- Insect screens fitted on the inside
![Diagram of a louvre window with six panes that tilt open at an angle.](images/page_002_louvre.gif)
Louvre
- Aluminium, steel or timber
- Usually purpose made
- Not common as difficult to get 100% watertightness
- Insect screens fitted on the outside