Window Facts for Kids

This page is about the architectural element. For the computing term, see Window (computing). For the operating system, see Microsoft Windows.

A window of a house in England

An old man looking through the window of a tram in Egypt

A window is an opening in a wall or roof of a building, in a car etc., to let air and light in. It is usually filled with a sheet of glass. There can be many different shapes and sizes, including rectangular, square, circular, or irregular shapes. Some windows include coloured glass. Windows are usually transparent so that people can see through them.

Before glass was used in windows, people in Asia used paper to fill the hole in the wall. The paper would let light in.

Types of window
How they are made
Images for kids
See also

Types of window

These are different types of windows. They are:

Cross-window

A cross-window is a window that has a mullion and a transom, that makes a cross.

Fixed window

A fixed window is a window that cannot be opened. It is made to allow light to enter. The windows in churches are usually fixed.

Single-hung sash

A single-hung sash window is a window that has one horizontal sash at the bottom that can move up and down.

Double-hung sash

A double-hung sash is a window that has two horizontal sash at the top and bottom that can move up and down.

Casement window

A casement window

A casement window is a window with a sash that has a hinge that swings in or out like a door. Casement windows are usually held open using a casement stay.

Skylight

A skylight

A skylight is a window built into a roof. This type of window allows natural daylight and moonlight to enter.

Roof lantern

The lantern over the dome of the Florence Baptistery

A roof lantern is a glass structure that has lots of different colors. It looks like a small building. It is built on a roof for day or moon light.

Stained glass window

Sunlight shining through stained glass

A stained glass window is a window that is made up of pieces of colored glass. The colored glass can be transparent, translucent or opaque. It usually shows people or places. Usually the glass in these windows is separated by lead rods. Stained glass windows are very common in churches.

How they are made

Different materials are used when making a window. For the frame of the window wood, polyvinyl chloride, composite, aluminium, steel, fiberglass are used.

Many windows have movable window coverings such as blinds or curtains. They keep out light, give extra insulation. It also ensure privacy. Windows allow natural light to enter. But too much can have bad effects such as glare and heat gain.

Images for kids

Fragment of a Roman window glass plate dated to 1st to 4th century A.D.Note the obvious curvature; this is not a flat pane.
Alabaster window in the Valencia Cathedral. Note the asymmetrical, slanted left side of the wall-frame, which lets sun rays reach the chancel.
Foldup window (inward swinging), cross-section side view
Awning window
Jalousie or louvered window
Clerestory windows in the Notre-Dame (Paris)
Hexagonal external cladding panels of a roof in Eden Project Biomes (Cornwall, England)
Casement window, with latticed lights
5-chamber plastic window profile
A typical installation of insulated glazing windows with uPVC window frames.
Woven bamboo window in Japan
Detail of a stained glass window of the Cologne Cathedral (Cologne, Germany)
Renaissance window of the Hôtel du Vieux-Raisin (Toulouse, France)
Renaissance window of the Hôtel d'Assézat (Toulouse)
Baroque window in Prague (Czech Republic)
Pair of windows of a city-house from Bucharest (Romania)
Neo-Baroque cartouche-window on a city-house in Bucharest
Neo-Baroque window in Bucharest, with a pediment above it
Neo-Baroque window of a city-house in Bucharest, with a cartouche with a monogram MS, above it
Cartouche with festoons above a window, in Bucharest
Windows with pediments, on a city-house from Bucharest
Window with a corbel and festoon-derived ornaments above it, in Bucharest
Semicircular window above a door in the D.A. Sturdza House, from Bucharest, above it being various stucco ornaments
Neo-Baroque window with a pair of angels above it, in Wuppertal (Germany)
Window of the Château de Marbeaumont (Bar-le-Duc, France)
Roof windows in Belfort (France)
Japonist window of La Pagode (Paris)
Art Nouveau oculi window above a door in Strasbourg (France)
Art Nouveau fanlights above a door, in Nancy (France)
Windows of a building on Rue de Rivoli (Paris)
Window view (Peak District National Park)
A former church in central Malmö (Sweden) converted into an office, with about 8 meters high darkened windows against the facade.

Window facts for kids

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