Window Types for Homes in Ames & Ankeny
Turn Your Ideas Into Reality
Find the Right Fit for Each Room in Your Home
Choosing new windows is easier when you understand what each style actually does for your home. Some windows are best for airflow. Others are better for easy cleaning, added light, or creating a more open feel in a specific room. The right option depends on where the window is going, how you use the space, what your current opening allows, and what look you want from both inside and outside the home.
Cyclone Contracting & Design installs Pella windows for homeowners in Ames, Ankeny, and the surrounding Central Iowa area. During your consultation, we’ll walk you through your options, explain which window types make sense for your home, and help you compare style, performance, budget, and long-term value.
Our Window Types
Not every room needs the same type of window. A kitchen may benefit from a casement window that catches more airflow, while a bedroom may work well with a double-hung window that’s simple to open and clean. A living room may call for a bay or bow window that adds natural light and creates a stronger focal point.
Here are the window styles we install and where each one tends to work best:
Casement Windows
Casement windows hinge on one side and open outward with a crank. Because the entire sash opens, they allow more airflow than many other window styles in the same size opening. This makes them especially useful in kitchens, bedrooms, and rooms where heat, odors, or stale air tend to build up.
Many homeowners also like casement windows because they offer a wide, unobstructed view when open. When closed, they seal tightly, which can help with comfort during Iowa’s colder months and humid summers. Pella casement windows are available in a range of frame materials, finishes, and design options, so they can work well in both newer homes and older properties throughout Ames and Ankeny.
Awning Windows
Awning windows hinge at the top and open outward from the bottom. Their design allows you to bring in fresh air during light rain without letting water into the home, making them practical for bathrooms, basements, and other areas where ventilation matters.
These windows can be installed on their own in smaller openings or paired above fixed windows to add airflow without changing the overall look of the room. Awning windows are also a smart option when privacy is important, as they can be set higher on the wall while still allowing ventilation. Their clean, horizontal shape also works nicely in more contemporary home designs.
Double-Hung Windows
Double-hung windows are one of the most popular choices for replacement window projects because they work well in almost any room. Both the upper and lower sashes move, so you can open the window from the top, the bottom, or both at the same time. That flexibility gives you more control over airflow and comfort.
Most Pella double-hung windows also tilt inward, making it easier to clean the exterior glass from inside your home. This is especially helpful for second-story rooms or windows that are difficult to access from outside. Double-hung windows also fit a wide range of home styles, from older craftsman homes to newer builds, which makes them a dependable choice when you want a classic look.
Single-Hung Windows
Single-hung windows look similar to double-hung windows, but only the lower sash moves. The upper sash stays fixed. For many homeowners, that difference is perfectly fine, especially in rooms where you only need basic ventilation or where opening the top sash would not be useful.
Single-hung windows can also be a practical choice when you’re replacing several windows and want a clean, consistent look at a different price point from double-hung options. They’re often used in bedrooms, upper-story spaces, and areas where simple lower-sash operation is enough.
Bay and Bow Windows
Bay and Bow windows extend outward from the exterior wall of your home, creating more depth, more natural light, and a stronger visual feature inside the room. In a living room, they can create space for a reading nook, plants, or a wider view. In a dining room, they can bring in light from multiple angles and make the space feel more open.
A bay window usually has three angled panels, with a larger center window and two smaller side windows. A bow window uses four or more panels arranged in a softer curve. Because these windows affect the structure of the wall opening, professional planning and installation are especially important.
Our 5-year craftsmanship warranty applies to Bay and Bow window installations, just like it does for our other window projects. During your consultation, we’ll talk through structural needs, interior sill placement, and how the window will function in your space.
What Goes Into a Window Installation With Cyclone
We use a fixed-cost budget model, which means the price you approve before the project starts is the price you pay when the work is complete, unless the project scope changes. This helps remove the stress of unclear pricing and unexpected line-item surprises.
You’ll also have access to BuilderTrend, the client portal we use for communication, scheduling, and project documentation. Our full-time production staff and dedicated office administrators coordinate the work from start to finish, so you always know where your project stands. Our goal is to make the window installation process clear, organized, and easy to follow.
Windows That Work for Central Iowa Homes
Homes in Ames and Ankeny vary widely, from early twentieth-century houses to newer subdivisions. That matters when choosing replacement windows. Older homes may have narrower rough openings, unique framing, or design details that need to be respected. Newer homes may offer more standard sizing but still require the right frame, glass, and style choices for long-term performance.
Central Iowa weather also plays a major role. Cold winters, humid summers, wind, and seasonal temperature swings all put stress on windows over time. Pella offers product lines with frame and glass options designed to balance comfort, efficiency, durability, and budget. Depending on your goals, we can walk you through double-pane and triple-pane options and explain how each one performs in Iowa’s climate.
Our team serves homeowners throughout Central Iowa, and you can view our service areas to see the communities we work in.
Common Questions About Window Types
Double-hung windows are one of the most common choices because they fit many existing openings, are easy to use, and work with almost any architectural style. They also offer flexible ventilation and are typically easy to clean from inside the home.
Yes. Many homes use different window styles in different rooms. For example, you might choose a casement window in the kitchen for better airflow and double-hung windows in the bedrooms for easy operation. Keeping frame colors, hardware finishes, and grille patterns consistent can help the overall design feel connected.
Pella offers limited lifetime manufacturer warranties on frames and mechanical components. We also provide a separate 5-year craftsmanship warranty on installation work. These warranties cover different parts of the project, and we can explain the details during your consultation.
Casement windows open fully and can direct airflow more effectively, which makes them useful in rooms where ventilation is a priority. Double-hung windows are easier to clean from inside and offer flexible top-and-bottom operation. The best choice depends on the room, the existing opening, and how you want the window to function day-to-day.
Yes. We install windows as standalone projects and as part of larger whole-home or exterior remodeling scopes. Our fixed-cost budget model applies across the full project. Financing is available.
They can be, but they need careful planning. Older homes may have framing or structural conditions that should be reviewed before changing the opening. A consultation is the best place to start, because it gives us a chance to evaluate the home and explain what is realistic.
Talk to Cyclone About Your Window Project in Ames or Ankeny
If you’re comparing window types or trying to decide what works best for your home, Cyclone Contracting can help you narrow down the options. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and start planning windows that look right, work well, and fit the way you use your home.