Home

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Louvre

  • Aluminium, steel or timber
  • Usually purpose made
  • Not common as difficult to get 100% watertightness
  • Insect screens fitted on the outside