Vinyl window frames reign supreme when it comes to quality, affordability, and cost-effectiveness, making them one of the most popular options among budget-savvy homeowners. Made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), they offer great insulation and are moisture-resistant, which means they're ideal for humid environments.
There are several window types to choose from depending on your building constraints, personal preferences and budget. However, the most common window frame materials include classic uPVC windows, wooden (or timber) windows and aluminium windows.
Standard Frame
As the name suggests, this is the most common type of picture frame. It's usually made from a combination of wood and glass and has a simple, classic design that works well with any decor style.
Wood is popular due to its decorative appeal, with poplar recommended for painted trim and strong-grained oak for stained. Wood composites and uPVC are other common materials, offering more variety in style and budget. There are many styles of window trims, so it's easy to match them to any home style.
What is the most common type of window? The most common types of windows are double- and single-hung. Most homeowners pair these windows with vinyl frames to create a valuable yet affordable replacement window.
Because of their flexible seal, sliding windows aren't as energy-efficient as casement windows. While sliding windows are less expensive upfront, casement windows can potentially ensure long-term savings due to their energy efficiency.
The Active Window is the term used to describe the window that is currently being used.
One of the most well-known types of trim is crown molding. This decorative trim has an ornate design that is intended to add character to a home. Crown molding is typically installed at the top of the wall where it meets the ceiling.
Colonial trim features clean lines and simple geometric shapes, making it a timeless choice for both traditional and contemporary homes. It typically consists of a flat board called a casing, which surrounds the window frame, and a decorative molding called a stool or apron at the bottom.
Double-hung are the most common type of window found across homes in the U.S. On a double-hung window, both the lower sash as well as the upper sash can move up and down. They also usually tilt out for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Platform framing, also called stick framing, is by far the most common type of residential framing. In platform framing, each floor is framed separately atop the others. This requires shorter, less expensive lengths of lumber and makes the construction easier.
Traditionally, the most common picture frame sizes have been 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10. These look great in any room in your house or office! Recently, however, 5x5 picture frames have become really popular.
Platform Framing. Also known as stick framing or western framing, platform framing is the most prevalent wood framing method used in residential construction today. This system involves constructing each floor independently, with the walls and floors built on a flat "platform" of joists.
The most popular size picture frames naturally match the most common photo printing sizes. These common frame sizes include 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10.
Fiberglass frames may be one of the most durable options out there, and they also deliver great insulation. Like vinyl, fiberglass is also very low maintenance. They do not need to be sealed regularly, and it maintains its structural integrity for a long time.
Dark and Dramatic: Embracing Bold Colors
While white and neutral trim will always have their place in interior design, 2024 welcomes the resurgence of bold, dark-colored wood trim.
Standard wisdom for decades has meant this look is used nearly universally in homes with wildly varying styles. As popular and classic as white or off-white for trim might be, some designers are calling the look dated and suggest you consider an alternative.
New Colonial design holds true to that classic colonial architecture but incorporates contemporary touches to create a renewed design. It consists of warm, earthy tones as well as other charming colors like blue and green.
The Eased One Edge baseboard has been a go to for a modern look. There are basically no grooves or designs on this style besides the mandatory top and bottom of the baseboard. This baseboard style is very modern and simple, a style you can't go wrong with.
Most car trim levels with an L (EX-L, LX, LE, SEL, etc.) are luxury trim packages. Trim levels with names like Platinum, Premium, or Limited usually represent higher-end packages, often (but not always) at the top of the range.
The most common trim size for books in the US is 6" x 9" (152.4 x 228.6 mm), but you have several other options. Books with a measurement more than 6.12 inches (155.5 mm) or more than 9 inches (228.6 mm) in height are considered large trim sizes.
Replacement windows (also referred to as retrofit windows) have been developed so a contractor does not have to remove the exterior materials of the home in order to install the window; they are measured to fit in an existing window opening and will only replace the actual window itself.
Windows 11 is the latest major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system, released on October 5, 2021 as the successor to Windows 10 (2015). It is provided free for any Windows 10 devices that meet the new Windows 11 system requirements. A server version, Windows Server 2025, was released in 2024.
Casement windows are great for adding sweeping amounts of fresh air with ease. They're hinged on the side and crank open outward like a door. Since they're so easy to open, they're one of the best windows to put above sinks, especially in kitchens where you might need to reach to bring in fresh air.