The right bathroom window improves your space’s look and functionality. It can also increase ventilation, reduces moisture buildup, and boosts the room’s comfort. In addition, high-quality windows can enhance your energy efficiency and help reduce condensation. This guide offers tips on selecting the best bathroom replacement windows based on style, functionality, and privacy options.
Key Takeaways
- Casement and double-hung windows are the top choices for bathroom ventilation due to their dual openings that provide optimal airflow and fresh air circulation.
- Awning windows are the best option for privacy when installed high on walls, opening outward from the top to provide ventilation while maintaining discretion.
- Nonporous frame materials like vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum are recommended over wood frames to withstand bathroom humidity and prevent water damage or rot.
Renewal by Andersen
Buy One Window or Door, Get One 40% Off
Pros and Cons
What We Liked
- Features proprietary window frame material that is stronger and more durable than vinyl
- Includes a transferable 20-year warranty on glass and a 10-year warranty on non-glass materials
- Provides full-service window replacement services
Keep in Mind
- Doesn’t sell aluminum, fiberglass, or wood frame windows
- Provides fewer window styles than other brands
Window Styles Offered
Renewal by Andersen offers up to eight window styles, which you can customize to fit your home’s aesthetic. Here is the full list of window styles Renewal by Andersen offers:
- Specialty
- Awning
- Bay
- Bow
- Casement
- Double-hung
- Picture
- Sliding
Best Window Styles for Bathrooms
Consider your bathroom’s wall space, floor plan, and privacy needs. Each window style offers different benefits and can bring more function and beauty to your home. Below is our list of options for the best replacement bathroom windows.
Awning Windows
Awning windows offer excellent ventilation and privacy when placed on high walls. These windows open outward from your home using a hinge at the frame’s top. Awning windows come in various sizes, so find one that works with your wall space. If you choose larger windows, consider adding privacy glass to limit visibility.
Casement Windows
Casement windows offer maximum ventilation. These windows have side hinges like a door and open outward. They’re larger than other options, allowing for beautiful surrounding views. Given their size, you may want to install frosted or textured glass if your home lacks privacy fencing.
Pro Tip
- Casement windows operate with a crank mechanism, which makes them an especially smart choice when they’re installed in hard-to-reach spots—such as over a bathtub or behind a vanity. As This Old House Magazine notes, casements are the best choice when you have to reach over a sink or counter to get at them, since a simple turn of the crank replaces the awkward push-and-pull of a double-hung.
Hopper Windows
Hopper windows are similar to awning windows but open the opposite way. They’re usually set high on a wall and open inward to provide ventilation and natural light. They come in a variety of sizes and open with a thatch or crank, and tilt at either a 45- or 90-degree angle.
Double-Hung Windows
Double-hung windows offer optimal airflow thanks to their two movable panels, also called window sashes. These windows open at the top and bottom and sometimes include tilt-in sashes for easy cleaning. Double-hung windows are recommended for higher floors due to their dual openings. Consider adding additional window locks for security.
These windows also offer insulation to reduce condensation and fogging. Upgrading to double-pane windows increases moisture resistance and energy efficiency. Invest in triple-pane double-hung windows if you want maximum energy efficiency and noise reduction.
Glass Block Windows
Consider glass block windows for bathrooms that have proper ventilation but need more sunlight. Glass block windows have textured glass, offering optimal privacy without sacrificing sunlight. These inoperative windows work as a bathroom focal point.
Sliding Windows
Sliding, also called gliding, windows have a movable sash that slides to the right or left. They work in tight spaces and can bring excellent sunlight and ventilation into a room. Gliding windows come in various sizes—even models small enough to add to a shower. If security is a concern, choose models with one fixed side for added protection. We recommend installing fixed models on ground floors and dual-function models for higher floors.
Transom Windows
Transom windows sit above an entry or doorway as focal points in your home. These windows come in fixed and operable models with bottom hinges for better ventilation. They come in different shapes and often incorporate decorative patterns or specialty glass, such as stained or frosted. Depending on the glass pattern, they can allow some light to enter the bathroom.
Skylights
Consider a skylight if your bathroom has no external walls or minimal wall space. These windows come in fixed and operative options and don’t require additional privacy coverings. Functioning skylights offer optimal sky views while casting sunlight into your bathroom. Operational skylights come in manual and motorized versions, making it easy to ventilate your bathroom. Skylights also help with energy efficiency, as the added sunlight naturally warms the room.
Pro Tip
- According to This Old House Magazine, centering a skylight in the middle of the ceiling actually minimizes the amount of light it brings in—light simply spills straight down to the floor, and little of it reaches the rest of the space. Instead, set the skylight against a wall so that light bounces off the wall surface and reaches farther into the room. For bathrooms, placing the skylight against the back wall, opposite any windows, helps even out illumination throughout the space.
How To Choose Bathroom Window Replacements
Bathroom windows aren’t restricted to a specific window type, allowing homeowners to customize their look. Certain window styles work better than others due to their size, functionality, and privacy options. We’ve listed some key features to consider when shopping for the best replacement windows for bathrooms.
Available Wall Space
Most bathrooms are small spaces and have limited wall space for new windows. Smaller designs, such as half-baths, especially limit your options compared to primary bathrooms. Installing a window in a small space reduces the available wall space for accessories such as towel racks or cabinets.
Consider installing windows higher up on small bathroom walls to maximize your space. If you’re installing primary or extended bathroom windows, standard window sizes will work. Larger window designs, such as picture windows, create the feel of a more open space, making the bathroom appear larger.
Bathroom Privacy
While windows offer additional light and ventilation, they also expose more of your private space to the outside world. It’s important to consider window placement to preserve your privacy without limiting your new windows’ function. If your home has a private yard with fencing, you can install larger windows in your bathroom. You won’t need as many privacy protections and can enjoy the added light without concern. If your property has limited privacy features, add window treatments, such as shades, blinds, or curtains, to protect the room.
Additional privacy upgrades include frosted or textured glass. These glass options limit interior visibility without dramatically reducing natural light. If protecting your privacy is more important than sunlight, opt for tinted glass or window films. Some window manufacturers also offer privacy glass, which limits interior and exterior visibility.
Window Frame Material
Bathrooms may receive daily exposure to high moisture and humidity levels and are more prone to mold and mildew. Your new bathroom windows should be durable enough to withstand these conditions. Selecting nonporous window frame materials, such as fiberglass, aluminum, or vinyl, provides the best bathroom protection. Avoid wood bathroom windows since they’re prone to water damage and rot without regular maintenance.
Different window frame materials will impact your window replacement costs. If you’re looking for cheap replacement windows, choose vinyl or aluminum. Fiberglass windows cost more but are efficient. Vinyl windows provide good energy efficiency but don’t have great visual appeal. Aluminum windows offer sleek lines but limited energy efficiency benefits.
Window Operation
Select a window that best meets your bathroom needs. Bathroom windows have several purposes, including:
- Enhanced look: A bathroom window opens up the space and makes the room look larger. It can transform a bathroom’s feel and provide an accent element in the overall design.
- Improved ventilation: Some bathrooms have exhaust fans to help dissipate humidity and moisture, reducing the chance of mold or mildew accumulation. If you don’t have one, consider adding functional windows that open and close. Multipane windows combat condensation because they have insulating gas between the glass panes to reduce the effects of outdoor temperatures. Insulated windows also sweat less in humid temperatures.
- Increased natural light: If you want to increase sunlight and fresh air, consider operational windows with limited coverings. Maximize incoming sunlight by skipping window grilles, treatments, and other light-reducing enhancements. Select smaller, functional windows for added airflow with controlled sunlight and choose inoperative or fixed windows to increase the room’s natural light.
Pro Tip
- One of the most effective bathroom privacy strategies is placing windows above eye level. As noted in This Old House Magazine, transom and clerestory windows—openings positioned above eye level—”provide privacy while they maximize the effect of light by bouncing it off the ceiling.” This approach lets you skip heavy window treatments entirely while still flooding the room with natural light.
Our Conclusion
Bathroom windows help elevate the room’s functionality, style, and comfort. Before choosing replacement windows, consider the features and benefits you need. Opt for smaller, higher up windows or skylights if you have limited wall space. Homeowners with private yards can choose larger windows that offer maximum sunlight and fresh air. Most replacement windows have options for privacy glass or other textured glass to add privacy. You can also add window treatments or film tinting to reduce visibility.
Pro Tip
- This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey knows firsthand how challenging bathroom layouts can be: “It’s like piecing together a puzzle. Sometimes you have to draw it a hundred times to get everything to fit.” That’s why planning your window placement early in the design process—before locking in fixture and storage locations—is essential.
We recommend hiring a professional window installer for your project. Using a professional ensures a high-quality installation plus added warranties. Request three or more free quotes for the best selection, pricing, and upgrade options.
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FAQ About Bathroom Replacement Windows
What is the best material for a bathroom window?
The best material for bathroom windows are nonporous, durable options such as vinyl, fiberglass, or aluminum. These windows resist humidity and moisture while remaining durable for years. Avoid installing wood windows since they’re prone to deterioration and rot when improperly maintained.
How important is a bathroom window?
Bathroom windows are important because they provide improved ventilation to reduce odors, humidity, and moisture accumulation. Without proper ventilation, the added moisture could cause mold or mildew. Bathroom windows can also add natural light to the room, reducing artificial light use and lowering energy bills.
What windows are best for bathroom ventilation?
The best windows for bathroom ventilation are casement and double-hung windows. These windows offer optimal ventilation and fresh air due to their dual openings. The best window choice depends on your available wall space, privacy needs, and other preferred features.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our window ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each provider. We conduct research by speaking with company representatives, browsing product selections, analyzing window line specifications, and conducting focus groups and consumer surveys. We then score each provider against our review standards for window variety, value, trustworthiness and transparency, window features, and customer service to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
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