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.
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
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
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
Side hung
- Generally timber - western red cedar or seasoned hardwood
- Stay-openers may be used
- Insect screens fitted on the inside
Louvre
- Aluminium, steel or timber
- Usually purpose made
- Not common as difficult to get 100% watertightness
- Insect screens fitted on the outside