10 Different Types of Bathroom Windows
It’s sometimes easy to pay little attention to a bathroom window until you have to consider choosing one. Whether it’s a replacement or a new installation, you suddenly have to give the bathroom windows some serious thought.
When you’re in the market for either replacing or newly installing bathroom windows, it’s important to know what you’re looking for before starting the process. Depending on space, layout, and budget, choosing different types of bathroom windows takes planning and knowledge.
The Function of A Window
The first and most obvious function of a window is to provide an external view and to allow sunlight to infiltrate the room. However, windows serve a bigger purpose than the visual aesthetic. When choosing bathroom windows, other important functions of a window should be factored in, too. Here are the other functions you should consider.
Size
As windows do permit light into a room, there may be a prevailing thought that “bigger is better” when it comes to the surface area of window glass. However, a bathroom might not have the space to allow a huge window. Therefore, depending on your bathroom’s size, you may be forced to work with a window that functions well for the space, as opposed to what’s bigger.
Degrees of Privacy
Another crucial thing to consider is privacy. Besides the bedroom, bathrooms are the spaces where privacy is paramount. Depending on where it is located, some bathrooms may need more privacy and protection.
When you are trying to choose a type of bathroom window, protecting your privacy should be at the top of your list. Does the bathroom face an area of high traffic? What other rooms, if any, is the bathroom connected to? Is the current window placement ideal? Should you go bigger or smaller, if it’s possible? These are all important questions to ask yourself and a contractor (if you’re using one).
Ventilation
Any room that incurs a lot of moisture needs a fair amount of ventilation, particularly a bathroom. If you look at how a bathroom is constructed, you’ll probably notice multiple sources of ventilation, such as fans and wall vents. Windows are another form of necessary ventilation for bathrooms.
Any space that houses a shower, bath tub, sink, and toilet is a water-based room. Mildew and mold are famous for taking root in moisture-laden spaces like these. So, when you’re considering bathroom windows, think about how much ventilation your bathroom needs. This can really help guide what type of window you end up choosing.
Choosing The Right Type of Bathroom Window
According to The Constructor, selecting the right kind of windows depends on several factors. These include:
- Room location
- Room size
- Overall climate of area
- Prevailing wind direction
- Room use
- Builder’s point of view
Since the chosen room is the bathroom, some of those factors are inherently decided or less important. However, bathrooms are typically smaller than other spaces in a home or business. So, room size would be of particular concern when choosing what type of window to install in a bathroom.
1. Transom Window
If you’ve ever looked above a door and noticed a window on top of it, then you’ve already seen a transom window (although you may not have known it by name). Transom windows are named as such because of the separation bar being the window and the door (known as a transom).
These types of bathroom windows have been around “for centuries” and have been making a big comeback with renovations and new housing designs. One of the main benefits is that it allows light to come through while being high up enough to also allow privacy.
2. Hopper Window
Like transom windows, hopper windows are often installed close to ceilings and can provide a nice bit of privacy because of their location. However, hopper windows do not typically have a transom bar separating them from a door because they are installed independently.
Hopper windows also tend to be openable. Commonly, you have probably seen a hopper window in basement areas. However, they do allow a good deal of ventilation for bathrooms, too.
3. Skylight Window
One of the most popular options for a bathroom is the skylight window. Bathrooms are typically designed for ultimate comfort and relaxation. So, lots of natural light is a huge selling point for people when choosing a place to live.
Skylight windows are built into the bathroom ceiling and allow the maximum amount of natural light possible to flood the room. True skylight windows are set in place and do not open. If you’re interested in something that opens, there’s another type of window option to explore.
4. Roof Window
Like skylight windows, roof windows are situated within the bathroom ceiling. Unlike skylights, roof windows can actually open when you need them to do so.
When looking for roof windows, you can also search for “venting” windows because the terms are interchangeable. One of the benefits that roof windows have over skylights is that they provide another ventilation option for bathrooms.
5. Sliding Window
Sliding windows are another option you can choose for the bathroom. These windows rest on a track and can slide back and forth horizontally. One of the main benefits of a sliding window is that it doesn’t take up as much space as windows that open outwardly.
If you have a smaller bathroom space, a sliding window could be a great choice. Sliding windows are perfect for tight areas that still need plenty of ventilation. Additionally, the wide selection of sliding windows gives you many options to choose a style that perfectly suits your bathroom space.
6. Casement Windows
Casement windows are another option for bathroom windows because they provide a lot of ventilation. Fixed to the walls by side hinges, these windows open outwardly toward either the right or left side.
You will often see casement windows in rooms with running water, such as kitchen and bathrooms. One of the reasons these types of windows are so popular in such rooms is because they help prevent excessive moisture and mold by fully ventilating these spaces.
7. Awning Windows
Awning windows are attached by top hinges and open toward the outside. Many people choose awning windows for their bathrooms because they allow ventilation and it helps protect rooms from outside elements like rain.
Awning windows can also provide versatility because they can be paired with other types of windows, sometimes incorporated into a larger window design. These windows can also be placed at a higher elevation of the bathroom, like transom or hopper windows.
8. Shutter Glass Windows
Shutter glass windows are some of the most innovative types of bathroom windows in the marketplace. The tempered window glass is actually built into the window in shutter form. You can open and close the actual window as if it’s a shutter.
Shutter glass windows serve two purposes at once. You can opt for privacy by cranking it shut, but also allow more light and ventilation by cranking it open.
9. Glass Block
Glass block windows are old-school types of window installation. However, that’s part of the reason that some people are also very dedicated to using them for their bathrooms. You’ll often see glass block windows in older homes, but don’t be surprised if you see them in newer construction, too.
Built into a grid-like block, glass block windows are known to allow light into bathrooms, but also for providing optimal privacy for the room’s occupants. Installing glass block windows can be tricky. For this type of bathroom window, consulting a contractor might be best.
10. Single or Double-Hung Windows
These types of windows are one of the most common types of windows and most homes have a few. The lower sash of the window generally opens from bottom to top and shuts from top to bottom.
The only difference between a single or double-hung window is how many movable sashes it has. Single-hung windows have one sash, whereas a double-hung one has two. Single-hung windows only open from the bottom. Double-hung windows can open from the bottom and the top.
As common as these window types are, many bathrooms have a single or double-hung window. Because it’s sometimes cost-effective and uniform in appearance, it’s often easier for contractors to install this type of window throughout the entire home or office. It’s also the type of window that most people in the U.S. are accustomed to using.
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