By Kingsley Adegboye

Expansive window for aesthetics and illumination

What many homeowners do not know is the fact that there are many things to consider when choosing new windows or replacing existing ones. It should be noted that residential windows vary in construction as well as how they open and function.

A specialist in aluminum window fabrication, Mr Segun Ayodeji told Vanguard Homes & Property that there are several window types one can choose from. This depends of the homeowners’ taste and purse. Using casement type as an example, Ayodeji said casement windows are hinged at the sides, with a crank-out mechanism for opening and closing and when fully opened, offer the maximum amount of ventilation.

Awning windows are another type which he said are hinged at the top and open outward. They are designed to provide ventilation without letting in rain. He explained that awning windows can be used alone as commonly found in basements or in vertical or horizontal arrangement in combination with additional awning windows and other types of windows.

Another type he noted, is hopper windows which are hinged at the bottom and open inward. Hopper windows are popular in commercial buildings such as restaurants and bars and in residential buildings where an open-out window would not work because of space restrictions and security reasons.

One of the commonest types in Nigeria is the sliding window. It consists of two levels, one that is stationary while the other slides left or right in a track He pointed out that glass can be placed on the exterior or interior of the window unit. There are other complex window types depending on one’s choice and purchasing power.

On how to choose window types to fit homes, he stated that there are factors that determine how to select windows for homes. According to him, people should select windows that complement their homes’ styles. “ You should choose windows with wood interiors that match your cabinetry, flooring, and other interior elements”, he noted.

He also advised homeowners to think of how they want their homes’ interior spaces to be illuminated by natural light, adding that large windows, or a combination of smaller windows or decorative windows can make a big impact on a home.