The window element if selected and placed correctly, can make a most simple space inspiring, and establish the character of the building.

Primary differences in window types include energy efficiency, materials, finishes, jamb (frame) widths verses window pane size, and operating hardware. For the same specified window size, the window pane size can vary greatly dependent on jamb widths. Windows come in many different types and I've listed them here from typically (but not always) the least costly to higher in cost:

Vinyl: Some manufacturers include Coeur d’Alene, Jeldwen, Milgard, Anderson. They are economical and energy efficient. Vinyl windows often have large jamb profiles, reducing the size of the overall glass view panel. The hardware on these windows is not as firm as the metal hardware you can specify on wood aluminum and steel windows. One of the things we can do to make these windows look better is to specify a ecru, charcoal, ebony, green or darker color for the frame, and contrast this with an attractive siding material. Stay away from the stark white.

Aluminum: I love Milgard aluminum windows for their clean lines, reflective material, low cost and ability to match existing older home windows. Unfortunately their U value and energy efficiency does not comply with the State of Washington's energy codes and can not be used on new homes, without thermal additions in other portions of the home. One option is to look into Marlin triple-pane Aluminum windows.

Wood windows:Wood windows by Quantum, Windorco (Seattle area) or similar can have very slender profiles and allow a larger portion of the window to be glass than vinyl or composites do. If provided with an Ogee molding the profile creates a crisp, elegant look. Wood windows require painting or staining periodically. Part of the charm of older homes is derived from their use of wood windows. Energy efficiency is average to good dependent on the Manufacturer.

Clad- Composite wood, plastic or aluminum cladding: A good choice for low maintenance windows with the properties of wood windows, these windows do not require periodic painting. Andersen, Loewen, Quantum and Marvin all supply this window type. Energy efficiency is average to very good dependent on gas fills and glass type specified. This is a commonly purchased window, selected for its mid-range pricing, good looks and low maintenance. Note that in a wet climate like Seattle the window need be designed to drain, in the case of moisture collecting between cladding and wood surface of the window.

European Style-Tilt Turn Windows:Tilt-turn windows specified for easy cleaning, and aesthetics, typically have a large jamb size, (bulky chunky) and incorporates hardware that can be heavy duty, can have large handles, similar to door hardware. They tilt inward, and may be difficult to use with draperies. Stylistically, I think they look great in simple, bold, contemporary or modern homes, as in thick-wall, heavily insulated Passive House design homes. Manufacturers include Cascade (fiberglass) cascadiawindows.com HH windows (wood clad) hhwindows.com and Marvin (wood clad) https://www.marvin.com/products/collections/signature/ultimate/tilt-turn(wood clad). Other manufacturers include Innotech, Euroline and Eco/Drutex. Note that materials vary per manufacturer, and stronger materials work best for these windows, as they need to support a lot of weight and movement in operation. Brian Lenz of Walsh Construction states, "Mid-grad vinyl and clad products may have light duty hardware that is not match for larger sizes offered."

Fiberglass: Typically, fiberglass windows frames are hefty and reduce the viewing glass size. They can be extremely energy efficient and higher in cost. One can take advantage of their bulky, and chunky look, if designed for the right space. Marvin, Pella, Jeldwen and many other Manufacturers supply this type of window.

Steel windows: Steel windows by Hope's Windows have very slender, elegant profiles, and do not require the maintenance that wood windows do. They are a most costly window, and come in flat profiles, or Ogee. You may see these type of windows in a high-end modern home, warehouses, or older commercial structures. With extra cost, energy efficiency can be achieved.

Comparative cost: Based on a comparative cost schedule provided by a Seattle window distributor (2014) a price comparison for double hung windows was made as follows:

Milgard Styline @ 280$, Milgard Tuscany-vinyl 526$. Milgard Ultra-fiberglass $960. Milgard Essence-fibertglass/wood $745. Andersen 100-Fibrex 310$. Andersen 400-vinyl/wood $696.Andersen E series, alum.clad/wood $670. Loewen wood $943. Loewen alum.clad/wood $943. Windorco vert. grain Doug fir $802. Quantum vert. grain Doug fir $1600. Quantum wood/clad $2500. Marvin Ultrex $394. Marvin wood/ultrex $432. Marvin wood/alum. clad $597. Milgard Aluminum $500. Marvin tilt-turn wood/alum. clad $1312. Cascadia tilt-turn fiberglass $1356. HH tilt-turn wood $1273. HH tilt-turn wood/alum. clad $1714.

Design notes: Setting the window as high as possible on the wall can elevate the sense of space in a room. For example, if your ceiling are at 7'-6" high, and non-load bearing, placing the window at 7' will allow the low ceiling to go undetected. Small windows centered in a wall can focus on a garden feature or view feature. Energy efficiency and U value requirements vary per State, with the lower U value often required in colder regions. Sealing windows well during construction is a notable factor in energy conservation. Example: https://youtu.be/A0tAtqi2LPw