Types of Aluminum Window Designs

Jalousie Window

• Often used in warmer climates or enclosed porches, jalousie aluminum windows have slats of glass aligned in a parallel fashion that open like Venetian blinds with a lever or crank. The window’s aluminum frame contains a track that holds the rectangular glass panes and allows them to open and close in unison. When the glass on a jalousie window breaks, you only need to replace the individual broken panes, instead of the entire window.

Bay Window

• Bay windows consist of several panes arranged in at least three panels that sit at different angles, similarly to an oriel window. The angles of the panels create a protrusion in the wall to maximize visibility. The use of aluminum can help increase the amount of glass you install in a bay window, which may be particularly beneficial if you wish to admire a scenic view with minimal obstructions.

Picture Window

• Picture windows are often used to help frame a vista and provide an unobstructed view. Instead of containing several window panes or panes set at an angle, an aluminum frame holds a large pane of glass. Aluminum picture windows do not generally come with glazing bars. If glazing bars are in place, a contractor usually installs them near the edge of the glass.

Transom Window

• Aluminum transom windows are those found above doors or large windows. Several homes and buildings have transom windows that have an aluminum frame that creates a fanlight, which arranges the glass in a half-circle. This window design, however, also can be square or rectangle. A transom window is usually fixed when accenting a window or exterior door. Transom windows above interior doors may hinge or rotate open to help promote ventilation in a home.

Sash Window

• Aluminum sash windows have at least one movable panel that is part of the frame. Strips of aluminum, or muntins, separate and hold individual panes of glass. You can open a sash window by sliding it vertically or horizontally.