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Picture Dictionary of Window Types & Architectures InspectAPedia®  -     Guide to window designs, window functional types: awning, hopper, sliding, fixed, double-hung, casement window Photo / sketch guide to window architectural types & shapes: attic, bracketed, gothic, hood top, label top, Queen Anne, oriel windows, patterned, paired windows, Palladian windows, broken top vs. un-broken top pedimented windows, ribbon-style windows Dormer, eyebrow, and attic-floor windows compared Definition of double hung vs single hung windows Definition of bay window, bow window, oriel window Questions & answers about all types of residential & light commecial building windows & window types, properties, uses, features - window architectural style guide

How to recognize residential building roof dormer shapes, window types, and building architectural styles.

Readers should also see Guide to Window Types, and see our additional photo and drawing guides to building architectural styles in the links listed at page left see ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID for illustrations of building architectural types, roof shapes, dormers, windows, and other architectural features. Also see AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine as well as individual building component links at page left.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Residential Building Window Types

Common window types on residential buildings include Awning windows, great to be able to leave these open in rainy weather Casement windows (this photo shows 19409's vintage steel casement windows, Poughkeepsie, NY), Double hung windows, two movable sashes. Also see our discussion below explaining the difference between double-hung and single-hung window sashes. Hopper windows (upside down awning window, rarely found: Watch out for rain entering this window type if it's left open in wet weather) Jalousie windows (on an abandoned mobile home, photo) Single hung windows, also see our discussion below explaining the difference between double-hung and single-hung window sashes. Slider windows (antique, on a log cabin, Two Harbors MN) Fixed-glazing windows (upper glazing in the gable end of this sunspace photo, built by the author, Poughkeepsie, NY) Skylights are discussed separately. See SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR how to find the cause of leaks in rooftop skylights and other sloped glazing. (Photo of steel skylight, Vassar College) Energy efficient window types sketch source: U.S. Department of Energy (left) shows traditional window styles used in North America. The window types sketched above are included in our Photo Guide to Window Architecture, Styles, Details, Features provided below in this article.

For information about window types, selection, installation, inspection, and repair, see our list of window articles beginning at WINDOWS & DOORS, Age, Types. Also see SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR how to find the cause of leaks in rooftop skylights and other sloped glazing

Another Quick Guide to Eyebrow Dormer Windows

Because there has been some confusion between eyebrow roof dormer windows and "eyebrow windows" we include here this excerpt from Roof Dormer Types - Photo Guide.

Definition of Double-Hung and Single Hung Windows

Complete Photo Guide to Window Architecture, Styles, Details, Features

Window Shape	Window Properties	Common Architectural Styles Where Used
	Attic story windows (3 windows set in white wood framed attic-level room, at left). In the U.S. in its colonial era property taxes were reduced in some colonies by avoiding constructing full-height windows on the top floor.	Beaux Arts Greek Revival (Seneca Howland House, Pleasant Valley, NY - see closeup, above) Italian Renaissance
	Awning Windows, operate by a crank and open outwards from the bottom, hinged at the sash top. Here is a photo of a modern awning type window observed in Buenos Aires. A "hopper" window is essentially an awning window turned upside down (and is a design that catches rain and directs it indoors if the hopper window opens "out" towards the outside.	Modern. Also see WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS and WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
	Bay windows project out from the building wall and may incorporate both fixed vertical glazing and operable sashes of any type, usually double-hung or casement style. If the roof over a bay window is not maintained, or if the window is not properly installed, leaks and condensation are likely. This bay window uses fixed center glass and double hung sashes at either side. Also see Oriel & Bow windows.	Modern, Victorian. Also see Oriel Windows. Also see WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS and WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
	Bracketed Window Tops	Empire style Gothic Revival style Italianate style Second Empire (left, Main building, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie NY, James Renwick, 1865) Stick
	Casement Windows open outwards from hinges mounted at the window left or right vertical side. This casement window photo shows an incompetent window replacement job - the windows cannot open because they hit the soffit overhang.	Modern. Also see WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS and WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
	Corner Windows on modern buildings require cantilevered support to permit the omission of a corner post. At left is corner window glazing installed by Frank Lloyd Wright at Talesin, West, AZ, at the request of his wife. In older structures corner windows could be constructed as this ornate Boston MA corner window demonstrates.	Modern, Prarie School.
	Curved Sash, Curved Glass Windows - shown are curved sashes on a Boston MA home.	Gothic Revival style Victorian Others
	Double Hung Windows. Both upper and lower window sashes can be moved in position. See sketch at Definition of Double-Hung and Single Hung Windows Also see Single Hung windows.	Nearly All, including Modern. Also see WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS and WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
	Second Empire style window details, Vassar Campus, Poughkeepsie, NY	Second Empire
	Fixed glass or fixed glazing, shown on a home overlooking the Hudson River, NY	Modern, Prarie, others.
	Fortress Windows, shown at left, the Ahlambra, Granada, Spain. Here is a similar keyhole-shaped window, also at the Alhambra.	Various
	Gothic Window styles. Here is a photo of gothic style windows and building details in Boston, MA.	Gothic Revival style Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates
	Hood Top-mold Windows	Italianate architecture shown at left, Hood Top-mold style windows on Empire style Mansard, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
	Jalousie or "louvered" windows - shown: Buenos Aires, Argentina apartment building window.	Modern. Also see WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS and WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
	Label Top-mold Windows	Chateauesque French Eclectic Gothic Revival (left) - Justin Smith Morrill Homestead, Vermont combines label top & Gothic window styles. Tudor (rare)
(Photo wanted - Contact Us)	Large Pane surrounded by smaller panes	Queen Anne
	Moorish window styles, at left from the Alhambra, Granada, Spain. Here is a Moorish style window seen from the building interior, in Rabat, Morocco.	North Africa, Southern Spain
	Octagonal Windows	Modern & various.
	Oval Windows. Shown, Oval window, Boston MA. Also see round windows.	Modern & Various
	Oriel Windows - similar to a "bay" window but the framed-out window opening extends to the building's floor level.	Victorian to Modern
	Patterned Upper Pane, Blank Lower	Queen Anne Eclectic
	Paired Windows. Shown, paired windows, Boston, MA.	Italianate many other uses
	Palladian combination. Also see our photos at Round-Top windows.	Palladian architectural style, also illustrated at ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates
	Pediment Style, Broken Shape. Here is a photo of an ornate window pediment observed at the Alhambra, in Spain.	Gothic Revival Tudor Chateauesque Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates
	Pediment Style Windows, Unbroken. Here is a photo of a variation on the pediment style window from Barcelona, Spain.	Adam Beaux Arts Colonial Revival Georgian Italian Renaissance Italianate (also see Second Empire) Neoclassical Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates
	Projecting Windows: Also see Bay windows. Bay windows include openings whose faces are comprised of straight lines.	left, Second floor bay window, Poughkeepsie NY (1900) Bay windows, Pratt House, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY sketch of a bay window design, courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates
	Projecting Windows: Bow windows, similar to bay windows, are constructed in a curve. Here is a bow window photographed in Boston, MA	Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates
	Projecting Windows Oriel	Additional example of a row of Oriel windows, Hudson NY.
	Ribbon Style Windows	Craftsman International Modernistic Prairie Romanesque Richardsonian Romanesque
	Round topped windows; arch topped windows. Also see Palladian.	Various.
	Round windows. Shown, an ornate pedimented round window, Spain.	Modern, Gothic, & Various.
	Single-hung sashed windows. Only one of the two sashes, usually the lower unit, can be moved. The other window sash is fixed in place. Shown, Palmer House, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY. See sketch at Definition of Double-Hung and Single Hung Windows Also see Double-Hung windows.	Modern, Victorian, Colonial, others.
	Slider Style or "sliding sash" Windows, may also be referred to as "bypass sash" windows. Shown, 1920's vintage multi-paned sliding wood sash windows, Buenos Aires, Argentina.	Gothic, Victorian, Various. Also see WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS and WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
	Stained-Glass windows. Colored glass cut to form an image or pattern, secured in place by lead. Shown: fixed stained glass windows on a Victorian architecture home in Poughkeepsie, NY. Here is a photo of a more ornately-framed stained glass window on a church in Barcelona, Spain.	Gothic, Victorian, Various.

At Field Guides to North American House Architecture we list (and you can buy at Amazon) books we have found particularly helpful in identifying architectural styles, including: as this more extensive list of architectural styles: Folk Houses, Native American Houses (U.S.), Pre-Railroad houses, National Architectural Styles (U.S.), Colonial Houses (1600-1820), Postmedieval English, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Georgian, Adam, Early Classical Revival, Romantic Houses (1820-1880), Greek Revival style architecture, Gothic Revival style architecture, Italianate style architecture, Exotic Revivals style architecture, Octagon houses, Victorian style architecture Houses (1860-1900), Second Empire style architecture, Stick style architecture, Queen Anne style architecture, Shingle style architecture, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, Folk Victorian style architecture, Eclectic Houses (1880-1940), Anglo-American style architecture, English style architecture, and French Period Houses, Colonial Revival style architecture, Neoclassical style architecture, Tudor style architecture, Chateauesque style architecture, Beaux Arts style architecture, French Eclectic style architecture, Mediterranean Period Houses style architecture, Italian Renaissance style architecture, Mission style architecture, Spanish Eclectic style architecture, Monterey style architecture, Pueblo Revival style architecture, Modern Houses including Prairie style architecture, Craftsman style architecture, Modernistic style architecture, International style architecture, and American Houses Since 1940: Modern style architecture & Neoeclectic style architecture as well as unusual houses such as Mongolian Cloud (photo, Kuehn) houses and Underground Houses (photo, Roy).

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• Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspect ion services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
• Vassar College Architecture, Main Building, James Renwick, Jr., architect, William Harloe, builder, Second Empire style, http://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/buildings-grounds/buildings/main-building/
• Vassar College, Maryann Bruno, Elizabeth A. Daniels, Arcadia 2001 ISBN 0-7385-0454-8
• Vassar College, The Campus Guide, an Architectural Tour, Karen Van Lengen, Lisa Reilly, Princeton Architectural Press, 2004, ISBN 1-56898-349-2
• Main to Mudd, and More, Elizabeth A. Daniels Poughkeepsie, NY, 1996.
• Historical Sketch of Vassar College, Benson Lossing, New York, 1876.

Field Guides to North American House Architecture

• A Field Guide to American Houses, Virginia & Lee McAlester (1984) ISBN-10: 0394739698 ISBN-13: 978-0394739694 includes a pictorial key and glossary to these architectural styles: Folk Houses, Native American Houses (U.S.), Pre-Railroad houses, National Architectural Styles (U.S.), Colonial Houses (1600-1820), Postmedieval English, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Georgian, Adam, Early Classical Revival, Romantic Houses (1820-1880), Greek Revival style architecture, Gothic Revival style architecture, Italianate style architecture, Exotic Revivals style architecture, Octagon houses, Victorian style architecture Houses (1860-1900), Second Empire style architecture, Stick style architecture, Queen Anne style architecture, Shingle style architecture, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, Folk Victorian style architecture, Eclectic Houses (1880-1940), Anglo-American style architecture, English style architecture, and French Period Houses, Colonial Revival style architecture, Neoclassical style architecture, Tudor style architecture, Chateauesque style architecture, Beaux Arts style architecture, French Eclectic style architecture, Mediterranean Period Houses style architecture, Italian Renaissance style architecture, Mission style architecture, Spanish Eclectic style architecture, Monterey style architecture, Pueblo Revival style architecture, Modern Houses including Prairie style architecture, Craftsman style architecture, Modernistic style architecture, International style architecture, and American Houses Since 1940: Modern style architecture & Neoeclectic style architecture
• The American House, Mary Mix Foley, Harper Colophon Books, ISBN-0-060090831-9, ISBN-10: 0060112964 ISBN-13: 978-0060112967 1980, has been a guide we have found useful for recognizing house architectural styles
• Dutch Houses in the Hudson Valley (NY) Before 1776 (New Paltz area for example), Dover Publications; Re Issue edition (1965) ASIN: B0006BNAD2
• A Manual of Historic Ornament, Richard Glazier, 4th ed., ASIN: B001MSZHUC (available used)
• Milton Architecture (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback), Anthony M. Sammarco (Author), Paul Buchanan (Author), Arcadia Publishing (December 2, 2000) ISBN-10: 0738504963 ISBN-13: 978-0738504964 discusses the history of the Suffolk Resolves house and other historic homes in the Milton Massachusetts area
• Mongolian Cloud Houses, How to Make a Yurt and Live Comfortably, Dan Frank Kuehn, Shelter Publications 2006 ISBN-10: 0936070390 ISBN-13: 978-0936070391
  "Written for those interested in alternative lifestyles, outdoor living, camping, and do-it-yourself projects, this lively, informative book recounts the author's experiences building his first yurt. Dan Frank Kuehn carefully guides readers through every step of the creation of a 13' round by 10' tall model. He covers everything — from the poles and lattice that form the basic structure, to the plusses and minuses of various materials, to the distinctive willow smokehole. This updated edition highlights new building techniques and contains detailed lists of commercial yurt manufacturers, tools, and materials."
• Underground Houses, How to Build A Low-Cost Home, Robert L. Roy, Sterling; illustrated edition edition (December 31, 1994), ISBN-10: 0806907282 ISBN-13: 978-0806907284
  "According to Roy, underground or `earth-sheltered' houses are unexpectedly livable. Judging by his book's attractive pictures, that's easy to believe. The house he bases his point-by-point guide on is indeed a showplace. Its homey touches are just that, though, and Roy's main concern is creating such a house, from drawing up the plans to surveying the site to the actual building. Roy's instruction is insightful and comprehensive....Throughout, he covers construction and installation details that are extremely important for nonprofessionals brave enough to undertake building their own homes."

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• Analysis of Modern Paints, Thomas J.S. Learner, Research in Conservation, 2004 ISBN 0-89236-779-2 [Chemistry of modern paints, overview of analytical methods, pyrolysis-gas chromatography signatures of basic modern paints and their constituents, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for paint analysis, direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry, and analysis in practice - technical reference useful for forensic paint science, focused on art works -DF]
• Art, Biology, and Conservation: Biodeterioration in Works of Art, Robert J. Koestler et als. Eds., Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003, ISBN 1-58839-107-8
• Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF - ** Particularly useful text **
• Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
• Dream Porches and Sunrooms, Designing the Perfect Retreat [purchase at Amazon.com], Michael Snow, Collings Design, 2006, 176pp. ISBN 0-06-084728-x $35.00 U.S. or $46.50 Canada.
• Understanding Ventilation, John Bower, The Healthy House Institute, ISBN 0-9637156-5-8, 1995 [General building science-DF - ** Particularly useful text. Mr. Bower has retired from the field but his book continues to be important]
• Dampness in buildings, Diagnosis, Treatment, Instruments, T.A. Oxley & E.G. Gobert, ISBN 0-408-01463-6, Butterworths, 1983-1987 [General building science-DF]

• Carson Dunlop's Home Study Course for Home Inspectors can be examined online at that company's website. More about home inspector education and other educational materials is organized at InspectAPedia.com at Home Inspector Education.
• Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
• "Moisture Control in buildings: Putting Building Science in Green Building," Alex Wilson, Environmental Building News, Vol. 12. No. 5. [Good tutorial, "Moisture 101" outlining the physics of moisture movement in buildings and a good but incomplete list of general suggestions for moisture control - inadequate attention given to exterior conditions such as roof and surface drainage defects which are among the most-common sources of building moisture and water entry.--DJF]
• Masonite Woodruf® Roofing or Masonite OmniWood® Siding Lawsuit Settlement Notice - PDF file
• Paint Handbook: testing, selection, application, troubleshooting, surface preparation, etc., Guy E. Weismantel, Ed., McGraw Hill Book Company, 1981, ISBN-10: 0070690618, ISBN-13: 978-0070690615, [Excellent but a bit obsolete paint theory and practice, also a bit light on field investigation methods, out of print, available used-DF]
  How to select and apply the right paint or coating for any surface. The first major reference to help you choose the correct paint or other finish to do the job best on a particular surface exposed to a particular environment. Experts in the field give full advice on testing surface preparation, application, corrosion prevention, and troubleshooting. The handbook covers wood, metal, composites, and masonry, as well as marine applications and roof coatings. A ``must'' working tool for contractors, architects, engineers, specification writers, and paint dealers.
• Paint and Surface Coatings, Theory and Practice, R. Lambourne & T.A. Strivens, Ed., Woodhead Publishing Ltd., William Andrew Publishing, 1999 ISBN 1-85573-348 X & 1-884207-73-1 [This is perhaps the leading reference on modern paints and coatings, but is a difficult text to obtain, and is a bit short on field investigation methods - DF]
  Provides a comprehensive reference source for all those in the paint industry, paint manufacturers and raw materials suppliers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and industrial paint users. R. Lambourne was in the Research Department at ICI Paints Division and the Industrial Colloid Advisory Group, Birstol University, UK.
• Seeing Through Paintings, Physical Examination in Art Historical Studies, Andrea Kirsh, Rustin S. Levenson, Materials in Fine Arts, 2000 ISBN 99-051835 [ forensic science, technical reference, focused on art works - DF]
• Sealants, Durability of Building Sealants (RILEM Proceedings), J.C. Beech, A.T. Wolf, Spon Press; illustrated edition (1995), ISBN-10: 0419210709, ISBN-13: 978-0419210702
  This book presents the papers given at the RILEM Seminar held at the Building Research Establishment, Garston, UK in October 1994. The book provides an opportunity for researchers to review up-to-date progress towards the achievement of the objectives of the standardisation of laboratory techniques of sealants in the variety of service conditions to which they are exposed.
• Soiling and Cleaning of Building Facades (RILEM Report), L.G.W. Verhoef (Editor), Routledge; 1 edition (November 3, 1988), ISBN-10: 0412306700, USBN-13: 978-0412306709
  The report of a comprehensive investigation by RILEM which examines all aspects of the cleaning of facades, subject to soiling by both biological and non-biological agencies. The contributors are international authorities working in this field giving essential advice to all those who need to know how to approach the problems connected with the soiling and cleaning of building facades.
• Staining, Prevention of Premature Staining in New buildings, Phil Parnham, Taylor & Francis; 1996, ISBN-10: 0419171304, ISBN-13: 978-0419171300
  The appearance of ugly staining early in a buildings life, ruins an otherwise pleasing appearance, tarnishes the image of the owners and gives rise to costly refurbishment works. In this book Phil Parnham raises a number of questions that should be considered whenever a new building is being designed or built. These are: * why has staining become so prominent; * what causes premature staining; which parts of new buildings are likely to be affected; * how can it be avoided? By using a number of highly illustrated case studies, the author answers these questions and ends by suggesting measures that should be taken by all design and construction professionals to prevent premature staining.
• Vassar College Architecture, Main Building, James Renwick, Jr., architect, William Harloe, builder, Second Empire style, http://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/buildings-grounds/buildings/main-building/
• Vassar College, Maryann Bruno, Elizabeth A. Daniels, Arcadia 2001 ISBN 0-7385-0454-8
• Vassar College, The Campus Guide, an Architectural Tour, Karen Van Lengen, Lisa Reilly, Princeton Architectural Press, 2004, ISBN 1-56898-349-2
• Main to Mudd, and More, Elizabeth A. Daniels Poughkeepsie, NY, 1996.
• Historical Sketch of Vassar College, Benson Lossing, New York, 1876.
• "Weather-Resistive Barriers [copy on file as /interiors/Weather_Resistant_Barriers_DOE.pdf ] - ", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE
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