Windows for cool house

Nathan Youngblood, an assistant professor in the engineering department at the University of Pittsburgh, works on reconfigurable or phase-change photonics, taking optical components like lenses or mirrors and making them switch between two states. When working with a startup called Bodle on color-changing technology displays, he and his coresearchers thought, If you can use a thin coating on something like a piece of glass to switch it between two different colors, can you also switch between two different states of reflection for infrared light?

If you could change how much a surface reflects or absorbs infrared light, it could affect the temperature in that space. A lot of the advances in smart windows technology regulates temperature by adjusting the total amount of light—and therefore also heat—by making a pane change between opaque and transparent. And it can be a disturbance if your window is turning on and off throughout the day, depending on how much sun is hitting it. A paper published in the journal ACS Photonics , for which Youngblood is the first author, is proof of concept for such a material.

These creators and innovators see Fast Company as their touchstone. Home Tribune Premium Content Magazines Fast Company These smart windows could one day help heat and cool your house automatically These smart windows could one day help heat and cool your house automatically Fast Company January 10, These smart windows could one day help heat and cool your house automatically.

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They have earned their name because they act like tiny little greenhouses that protrude from the inside of your home. You can keep plants and herbs in the mini shelves so that they can be visible from the outside while getting sunlight into your home. Garden windows can extend room space. They can be installed in living rooms and kitchen with side panels that be opened to provide ventilation for the plants.

Glass block windows are most often considered accents and added to a section of the home to increase light flow. Most commonly, glass block window types are frosted or adorned with a patterned design, which provides simultaneous light and privacy.

They are ideal for use in bathrooms, basements, and other private spaces. Glass block window also provide security as they are built with thick blocks of glass that are not easy to break.

They can also help you keep moisture out of your basement with their durable sealing. Hopper windows are great for any room with limited wall space for a new window. They open from the top and usually crank open to tip down. They make efficient use of compact spaces, which is why they are commonly found in basements or bathroom. Unlike egress windows, basement hopper windows are mostly used for ventilation purposes only as they come in smaller sizes that cannot be used as an emergency exit.

They are also known for providing excellent insulation, because they seal up against the frame when closed all the way. Jalousie windows are a unique window style that splits into many different slats of metal or glass.

The windows open like a set of blinds. Simply crank the lever and the slats tilt to the side, which creates a series of gaps for air to flow through.

They are often popular in coastal areas and are great for allowing in a nice breeze on a cool day with their enhanced airflow. Whether the view outside your home is a lush green backyard or a mountain range, the best way to fully enjoy your view is with beautiful large picture windows.

Picture windows are fixed windows that can not be opened, but are often paired with other windows for design and flexible functionality. They are large window types that do not have any breaks or visible frames, resulting in an unobstructed beautiful view. Installing a large picture window can make a room look larger. Round, half round, elliptical, or oval—the round circle windows category encompasses many different shapes that add architectural interest to your home.

In particular, round windows give your space a nod to historical decor, such as Victorian or Gothic era structures.

Half round windows can be combined with other window types like picture and transom to give a complementary look to your home style. While most round windows are fixed, some manufacturers offer round windows that are operable for ventilation and design. If you want to add more natural light to your home but have limited options with your exterior walls, a skylight window is an excellent window style option. It is essentially a window for your roof, and it installs similarly to a roof vent.

Skylights can be both fixed or movable to allow for ventilation. Homeowners have an option to install electric skylight windows that open and close with push of a button instead of manual operation.

These windows can also be used as emergency escape route. They have two sections or sashes that are usually made from single windows, and one of the sections slides horizontally over top of the other to open or close. Sliding windows can make a small room look larger depending on the size of the windows you install.

They are also called gliding or slider windows. Storm windows are exterior windows that install right in the same frame as your current windows.

Storm windows add another layer of blocking out drafts and heat loss perfect for when cold weather rolls in. They are also perfect for areas that often get inclement weather. These windows can be installed by homeowners on either exterior or interior sides of the window pane and are much more affordable to replace. Transom windows are decorative accent window types that help break up space or add a unique design focal point. They are decorative windows that you see installed above doors in upscale homes, or even above other windows in some instances.

They are typically a semicircle shape, but they can be square or rectangular as well. Transom windows can also be used to accentuate other window types and create unique designs by being installed around them. The windows help bring in more light into the space and can be installed to both exterior and interior of homes.

When you have a space that you want to fill and standard types of windows are not meeting your needs, you can go with a custom window instead. Custom windows are crafted from dimensions that you or a professional measures in your home. Some window replacement costs can be negotiated with bigger projects or discounted with specials being run in your area by window installers.

Use our local window cost calculator to know average installation costs for new windows and break down your exact project estimate by window type. You can also research best window brands to choose from and have a guide to make sure you are getting the best price in your area.

If you are unsure about the specific window types you want to install, it may be more beneficial to speak directly to local contractors and get free estimates with Modernize. There are around 18 different window types and styles as mentioned on this page that you can have installed or replaced in your home all with different styles, window frame options, energy efficiency ratings, and glass options.

Original written by Maggie Lindenberg. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Story Source: Materials provided by University of Pittsburgh.

Bonilla, Peiman Hosseini, Robert A. Taylor, Harish Bhaskaran. ScienceDaily, 5 January University of Pittsburgh.