We make and supply windows to customers all over the world. It is one of our primary business segments. If you are interested in…

procuring any type of window,
designing a special kind of window for your application
want to manufacture some kind of system regarding windows.

We can help you. We really can.

Content

For starters, let’s be specific on what kinds of products that we can actually provide. In general, we can provide any and all window products, their parts and their components, in just about any configuration or design possible. Special considerations, such as testing and certification issues limit the factory selection, other concerns such as pricing might reflect in the design type and system.

Note that we have “generic” off-the-shelf designs in stock that we can provide, or more commonly we can design to your drawings, or to your “sketch on a table napkin”. We are YOUR resource for custom and off-the-shelf window products.

So, when trying to communicate in a situation where words alone won’t work, think about creating a napkin sketch. It’s a great visual way to make the abstract concrete, the intangible tangible, and the unfamiliar familiar. — Sketch of a window design on a napkin.

Of course, napkin sketching and figuring things out on the “back of an envelope” have been around for ages, and the idea of drawing things out goes back to caveman days. But it’s only in recent years that the concept of napkin sketching has really taken off as a practical and recognized business skill.
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Factory Considerations

We have been working with factories that make windows for many years now. There are big, well established factories and smaller factories, and everything in between. And the choice for you (the buyer) is a simple one;

Use Smoking Lion and work with small to medium sized factories to keep costs low, or,
Work directly with a large factory directly. Expect them to handle all production and quality issues directly themselves.

The stark truth is that any other option is to take risks with the manufacture of your products. While no one wants to intentionally swindle anyone, mistakes can happen, and things can go wrong. No one wants to pay $75,000 for a shipping container full of useless junk.

Big Company Considerations

And the truth is, and I am loath to say this, that if you are a buyer with a large company or organization, it just might be better for you to do business with a large, well established factory in Asia directly. You just write a PO, send it off, and products are delivered to your door without problem or concern.

For a price, don’t you know.

You work with them directly and trust the factory to handle the problems, quality and production issues themselves, and don’t bother you with it. As such you only need visit them two or three times a year. As they tend to be well organized and established and have manpower resources that smaller factories do not have.

Window products are made in clean, airy environments with relaxed and skilled workers. There is a great deal of attention placed in quality control as well as environmental considerations. — A typical production line in a medium sized factory. This particular factory is in Foshan, China. Which is home to numerous factories that make a wide range of window types and styles.

Large window customers (to us) have options. They are big enough to “call the shots”. They can choose if they want to work with large well-established window factories or smaller unknown operations.

So, if you are a very big organization, you have a choice. As a big powerful organization, you can [1] work with us at Smoking Lion, or [2] you can work directly with a large, well established factory directly. That choice is yours.

Middle Sized Companies

But things are quite different if you are a smaller, middle sized company with revenue under a billion dollars a year.

For the middle sized companies, the trade-off for working with a well-established factory is that YOU will always be the “little guy”. For other customers will be bigger than you, and their value to the factory is thus larger. And because of that, your order can (and usually will) be pushed to the side while other customers get their products made.

Being “pushed aside” is not something anyone wants. But it is a reality in the business.

Truthfully, there are “work arounds” for this. You can give the factory a delivery date, but double the time for the delivery of products internally. Or, in other words, you place an order in January telling the factory to make it by July. When in truth, you won’t need it until December. You plan in advance to have your order pushed aside and delayed.

Smoking Lion Factories

In general, we like to work with the smaller and medium sized factories. They aren’t as well known, and not as well established. However, they can provide competitive prices, they work with us directly hand-in-hand, and your products are treated as the most-important products in the entire world.

Because they are small, they are hard to find and locate. They typically don’t have placement in Alibaba, a website, or a booth at a product fair. You can only find out about them through world-of-mouth by the local “good old boy network” of fellow window factories.

And, as we have been around for a while, we have gotten to know these factories, the workers, and their owners. In fact, there are entire communities that might exist with ten or more factories that churn out windows and window products. Last I counted was over 345 factories that we have visited, and audited for this role. Indeed, there is a “mess of them”, for certain.

And one of the little known secrets of the industry is that many of these factories supply to the very well-known “big name” factories that supply to clients in the West. They do so as second and third tier suppliers. So, by using these factories directly, you get the same products, but at a lower price than what you might pay otherwise.

As I see it, and you can disagree, it all depends on who you are and what your product segment is within your customer base. If you are a “small guy”; a “mom and pop” operation, or just a middle sized operation, we can work with you in such a way that you can compete against the “big guys” in price, quality and timing.

It’s all up to you.

Window types

Let’s start with the most common window designs that we are involved in. Here are the top 24 types of windows that we can provide. In general, we typically work to customer drawings and make to your (their prints). But there are windows in stock that we can leverage if you are a smaller operation and do not have the resource, or do not want to design up your own windows.

If you want to order a few of one type of window and a couple of another type, that is fine. The arrangement and mix will determine the layout within the shipping container, and that in turn, will determine the freight terms, FOB, DDP, etc.

Shipping terms are also called INCOTERMS. Incoterm is the elided word that shortens International Commercial Terms. They are 3 letter abbreviations recognized throughout the world. They tell each party concisely what is expected of them in selling and in contract negotiations. — The Incoterms or International Commercial Terms are a series of pre-defined commercial terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce relating to international commercial law. They are widely used in international commercial transactions or procurement processes and their use is encouraged by trade councils, courts and international lawyers. A series of three-letter trade terms related to common contractual sales practices, the Incoterms rules are intended primarily to clearly communicate the tasks, costs, and risks associated with the global or international transportation and delivery of goods.

The first to look at is the very basic “single hung” window.

Let’s start with the most common window designs that we are involved in. Here are the top 24 types of windows that we can provide.

1. Single Hung Window

Perhaps one of the easiest and simplest window design (aside from fenestration solutions) is the Single-Hung Window.

The single hung window is a classic and very common design. It operates with the bottom sash being manipulated. Since this type of window does not open outwards, it is a perfect choice of window for small spaces like windows facing pathways, streets and other narrow spaces.

2. Double Hung

A double-hung window being inspected inside one of our client factories. Here, the owner of the factories is displaying a smaller window for our review and study. — Looking at a double-hung window at one of our client factories. This is called a “double hung” window because both the top and the bottom window panels can swing outward so that the owner / user can clean both sides easily. This particular design uses aluminum extrusions that have a heat-transferred pattern applied. In this case it is a wood grain design.

The double-hung window type is the most common type of window in American houses because of its practicality and functionality.

3. Oriel

The oriel window is a version of the bay-window design. It is useful for large rooms where the ingress of large amounts of light is desirable. — The Oriel window is designed to let in a large amount of light. Typically, it is perfect for rooms with large ceilings, and it enables the lower part of the window to open, but retains the top part fixed. This kind of window used to be common in new-construction schools of the 1960’s in the United States.

The oriel is a type of bay window that is commonly used in the upper floors/stories that are supported by brackets, corbels or similar. This type of windows extends the area of the room outward.

4. Cottage

The Cottage type of window is a variation of the double hung window where the upper stash is shorter than the lower one. It is also commonly called as the “front window type”. Aside from the smaller upper stash, the features and characteristics of the cottage window is very similar to the aforementioned double hung window. This type of window is also known as the “Georgian” and “Tudor” type of window.

5. Two-Panel Slider

The 2 panel slider is the most common type of sliding window. It has two panels where one or both of the panels are slided left and right to allow ventilation into the room. — The two-panel sliding window is very common and used for bathrooms, basements and other small spaces. It is simple, reliable and offers a mixture of simplicity and light for a reasonable cost.

The 2 panel slider is the most common type of sliding window. It has two panels where one or both of the panels are slid left and right to allow ventilation into the room.

A common choice for kitchens, a double-sliding window has sashes which open from each end and glide along the window frame with ease, making the slider window extremely easy to open. A single-sliding window has one fixed window and one sliding window. — A two panel slider window installed inside a display kitchen within one of our client factories. These are great little windows and a good, reliable product. I have a window, not unlike this one, in my own kitchen.

6. Three-Panel Slider

This type of sliding window is wider than the 2 panel slider, thus provides a more panoramic view of the outside scenery. The three-panel slider has the middle panel fixed, while the other two side panels slide to the middle to open and close the window.

7. Picture Window

The picture window is one of the most unique form of windows since it is fixed (can not be manipulated). It is just a glass window pane which has the main purpose of framing an outside view–like a picture frame, thus the term “picture window”. Although this is not a very common type of picture you see on a daily basis, it is particularly seen on houses with vaulted ceilings.

8. Deadlites – Sash-Only

Many people are using deadlites and picture window interchangeably. Well, when it comes to features and characteristics, they are almost identical. The only difference between the two is that picture windows has frames like the regular windows while deadlites are “stand-alone” or has only the feature of a single sash (of a window). This means, DIY stained glass windows, it does not have any primary frame.

9. Hopper

The hopper window is a type of a single-sash casement window (see number 10) which opens by tilting vertically inwards the house. Hoppers, usually horizontal rectangles, are hinged in the bottom which allows the tilting of the window to open from the top.

10. Casement

Casement windows are single-stash windows similar to the hopper, except that it is installed vertically instead of horizontally. These are hinged windows that opens inwards or outwards from the sides. — Casement windows are really rather nice, and they are my (personal) preferred all-around window solution. Not only can the windows swing in and out for ease of cleaning, but you can also have insect screening, and security guard bars (whether it is a two year old, or a local criminal enterprise) on the window assembly.

Like previously mentioned, casement windows are single-stash windows similar to the hopper, except that it is installed vertically instead of horizontally. These are hinged windows that opens inwards or outwards from the sides.

11. Awning

Like mentioned above, awning is similar to hoppers except that instead of tilting inwards, it tilts outwards. This mechanism of opening prevents it from limiting the size of the room, but can not be installed where plants and other barriers of the space outside of the wall can prevent the window from opening.

12. Transoms

When it comes to aesthetics, transom windows are the most common accent type of window you could see in most beautiful houses all over the country. Traditionally, they are commonly known as fan-shaped but are now popular for having various designs and build.

13. Different Shapes

Different shapes windows are mainly for aesthetic purposes and can be used in various needs and purposes for each room in your home. For example, round-shaped windows or half-circle shapes are common in kitchen and bathrooms where privacy is most important.

14. Bay

Bay Windows & Bow Windows Bay and bow windows are created by combining three or more windows together so that they angle out beyond the house wall. They can be casement, double-hung or picture units depending on the need. By using more windows, bay and bow windows allow more light in and also give you extra space inside your room.

15. Bow

Bow windows are great in that they provide a very scenic view. We have provided these kinds of windows to international clients. — A bow window is a large, multi-pane window that adds beauty and light into a room.

A bow window combines four or more casement windows joined together to form a rounded arch, instead of a box. Contemporary bay windows have flat angular lines that are often considered more appropriate for modern homes. The rounded structure of the bow window is ideal for architectural design with Regency or Victorian overtones.

16. Jalousie

These windows have been around for some time. The first time that I was exposed to them (personally) was when I visited Florida (USA) as a young boy. All the bungalows used these kinds of windows.

Jalousie windows — the louvered glass panels often seen in storm doors, enclosed porches or breezeways — are a common feature of mid-century homes, especially in warmer climates. Typically installed to enclose outdoor areas like porches, jalousie windows are also found in areas of the home in need more light and ventilation. — A jalousie window is an excellent choice for porches and sun-rooms or in regions with mild winters, and is available with multiple glass options or attractive cedar slats for privacy. The parallel louvers open easily and close tight. Use side by side to create a wall of windows or mix with picture windows to frame a view with ventilation.

When proper ventilation is your priority, then a jalousie window will serve you well. Jalousie windows have parallel glass, wooden louvres or acrylic that can be tilted open and shut simultaneously. Besides its outstanding function, its design is versatile enough to compliment any type of house aesthetics.

17. Garden Style Window

Garden windows create more space in a room, but above all, a garden window allows you to create your own greenhouse or area to feature your favorite decor. If you want to host a mini greenhouse, request a Low E glass to protect your plants and control temperature. Like all windows, our garden windows are flexible and can fit into any reasonable space. — Garden windows create more space in a room, but above all, a garden window allows you to create your own greenhouse or area to feature your favorite decor.

This type of window is perfect for those people with a green thumb. It is a four-sided window that extends outward to be able to capture enough amount of sunlight needed by plants. Turn your window into a small, indoor garden that can exhibit colorful, fresh and healthy plants, flowers or even herbs that you can use in your kitchen.

18. Glass Block Window

I (personally) never thought too much about these kinds of blocks until I visited (what is known as) a “Modern Home” back in the 1980’s. This was a style of home that was popular in the 1930’s and used all sorts of creative techniques for lighting and style. I well remember the bathroom was all made of these glass blocks and it was so light and airy. It really made a great impression on me.

Glass block windows are available in a variety of shapes, including octagon, square top, round top, and arch top styles. We carry all the mortar and accessories you'll need for installation. We also carry ready-to-mortar custom-sized glass block panels for an easier installation in vented, nonvented, vented vinyl framed, and nonvented vinyl framed styles. — Used in partitions, shower walls, curtain walls and room dividers, glass block permits light from one space to travel to another, helping to save on illumination costs. Glass block’s properties lend style and privacy while also helping to muffle sound.

A glass block window doesn’t only look nice and flattering, it also serves a significant purpose in terms of privacy and security. With its thick and durable yet trendy designs, this type of window is definitely one of the most popular among homes and offices. Glass block windows are available in a variety of shapes, including octagon, square top, round top, and arch top styles. We carry all the mortar and accessories you’ll need for installation. We also carry ready-to-mortar custom-sized glass block panels for an easier installation in vented, non-vented, vented vinyl framed, and non-vented vinyl framed styles.

19. Storm Window

Storm windows are windows that are mounted outside or inside of the main glass windows of a house. Storm windows can be made of glass, rigid plastic panels, or flexible plastic sheets; and may be permanently or temporarily mounted. They function similarly to insulated glazing.

A storm window is mounted on the outside or the inside of the main glass window. The second barrier on top of the original window helps keep the house warm during winter and cool during summer. This unique architecture and design creates a solid seal that helps in the improvement of your home’s insulation while it protects it from outside elements.

20. Egress Window

An egress window is a window large enough, as defined by local business codes for entry or exit in case of an emergency. These are typically required when finishing a basement and are paired with an Egress Well with attached ladder or steps for easy escape.

Window well escape systems may be a safety requirement, but you don’t have to sacrifice your basement’s beauty to comply with the code! We offer a complete system that turns your basement into a bright, comfortable living room or bedroom at the same time ensuring the safety of those inside. — An Egress opening is designed to be large enough for a firefighter to climb into or a person (s) to climb out of in the event of an emergency. The building code requires that every habitable basement is required to provide a means of escape and rescue.

Aesthetics is important, but the actual function plays a much more significant role when it comes to home improvements. Good thing about the egress window, it caters both safety and style. This type of window provides a safe escape route from your home in case of emergencies such as fire, earthquake, etc. It also serves as an access point for emergency personnel.

21. Skylight

Windows are often required by building code because they provide egress (escape) in the event of emergencies. A skylight or roof window cannot always be used as a replacement for windows. Some manufacturers, however, offer roof windows with the spacing required to qualify as egress openings. — Strong natural light can do wonders for your mood and show off your home’s best features. When windows don’t provide the light you crave, skylights can step in to brighten things up. Today’s options are easy to install, with lots of features that add to their functionality. There are many types of skylight windows on the market today.

A skylight is a window installed in a roof or ceiling for daylighting purposes. This type of window is commonly seen on vacation houses and cabins because besides that fact that it conserves energy, it also provides a beautiful view of the sky from the outside.

22. Round

Specialty shape windows are available in hundreds of geometric shapes and provide virtually unlimited design possibilities. Most custom-built specialty shape windows have a fixed sash, meaning they don’t open, and many are found near to or combined with operating windows. — Round windows can either make or break the look of an outdoor shed, outdoor building or barn. Great looking round windows can take a shed or barn from functional to a building that adds value and beauty to your property.

While round windows are inspired by rose windows from the Gothic architecture, there exists modern round windows that serve the same purposes. And that is to create a focal point for the structure’s exterior details and allow enough amount of light and air.

23. Arched

Arched windows are common on Roman architecture but its timeless beauty offers a unique look to modern structures. It increases the curb appeal of your home’s exterior despite being low-maintenance.

24. Dormer Windows

We don’t just “make windows”. We also make all sorts of kits and window assemblies.

So yes, we have been involved in home add on kits, and more elaborate window configurations. You would (actually) be surprised at what our factories can do.

Located on the sloped side of a roof, a dormer window brings natural light into an attic, loft, or any room with a vaulted ceiling. This type of window sits vertically in a framed structure that juts outward from the pitch of the main roof and features a little roof of its own above the window. Dormer windows are often associated with Colonial, Greek Revival, and cottage-style architecture, but they can be found on virtually any style of house that has a sloped roof. — A dormer is a roofed structure, often containing a window, that projects vertically beyond the plane of a pitched roof. A dormer window is a form of roof window. Dormers are commonly used to increase the usable space in a loft and to create window openings in a roof plane. A dormer is often one of the primary elements of a loft conversion. As a prominent element of many buildings, different types of dormer have evolved to complement different styles of architecture.

Dormers create more space under angled roofs and make it possible to have windows in those spaces for natural light. These days many houses incorporate fake dormers for the aesthetics, but some new houses make them real with substantive functionality.

Interestingly, there are quite a few different types of dormer windows. The one pictured above is the most common, but there are other dormer designs.

Window glass construction

I find the design of the windows most interesting. You have these aluminum (or wood, or PVC) frames and glass is placed within the frames to create the windows. As such, you can have more than one pane of glass (single pane), and all offer added benefits and advantages, at a cost.

Let’s talk about the different types of panes. There are really only a few that are of consideration…

Single Pane (usually used for storm windows).
Double Pane.
Triple Pane,
Quadruple Pane.

Single pane windows are a traditional choice for home remodeling and new construction projects, especially those with tight budgets. Due to their lower cost, single pane windows are also a great choice for window replacement projects or for use in garages, tool sheds, and other non-heated outbuildings. From our point of view, we will make windows based on the needs of our customers, and many (due to cost considerations) prefer to have single pane windows.

We can provide these single pane windows, but we have found that most of our customers prefer the double and triple pane windows…

Double Pane

Double pane windows consist of two pieces of glass with air or gas between the two panes. If gas is used, it is usually argon. Manufacturers often place decorative grids between the two panes to make the window appear as if it has divided light panes. With grids between the glass the window is easier to clean both inside and outside.

2. Triple Pane

When you are considering to make windows, the multiple pane windows are most desirable from a “green energy” point of view. They provide the best mixture of energy efficiency for a given cost.

What’s a Triple Pane Window? Think of a triple pane window as being a double pane window with one more sheet or layer of glass added. As with the double pane design, there is a tiny space in between each of the three layers or sheets. A gas is used to fill in the spaces and boost the insulation efficiency of each new window. — Triple-pane windows are available in range of finishes and styles. With versatile features and options you can customize your window to coordinate with your interior design style while enjoying the noise-reducing and energy-efficient benefits of triple-pane windows.

Due to architectural advancement and breakthroughs, the triple pane window is becoming more and more popular recently. Unlike the double pane windows, it has three sheets of window glass pane, separated by 2 separate layers of gas. This 2 layers of airtight gasses provides improved insulation than the double pain.

3. Quadruple Pane

Quadruple pane products may be twice as expensive as triple pane windows but will provide only about up to 20% more thermal resistance. Also, for quadruple pane windows, the glass unit needs to be over 2 inches thick. This requires special profiles which are also expensive. — Quadruple Pane Windows or Quad Glazed Windows possess four high-performance layers of glass, with three Argon-filled air-spaces in between. With an added pane of glass, they are an upgrade over the triple-pane window system. Quad pane windows provide additional insulation, reducing heat transfer.

The quadruple pane window is by far, the most advanced type of window pane right now. The insulation is made even better by combining 4 sheets of window pane glass with three spaces filled with gas that are airtight. It significantly raises the functionality and features of the other two type of panes mentioned above. It is better in all the pros and advantages of all the panes listed above with the con of being super heavy weight and needs a tougher, more durable window frame and sash. Not to mention the more expensive price!

Types of Window Frames

Now that we were able to cover the types of windows and window panes, let us now discuss the structure that support and put them all together–the frame! depending on your needs and preferences, here are the most common types of window frames to choose from!

1. Wood

Wooden frames are the most popular ones used in most houses up to date. It has the aesthetic appeal and classic appearance. It is used for years, not only in the window frame industry, but in the entire architectural industry because of its known beauty and durability.

We use wood for strength and rigidity in our frames and sash, beauty on our interiors and its overall thermal performance is hard to beat. — Most factories do not make pure 100% wood frames. They are available of course, and we can make them, but most make “composite frames”. Clad Wood Window Replacement Composite window frames also called clad wood windows are constructed from a combination of two materials. They are made of a wood and vinyl window material combo or from a wood and aluminum material mix to create what’s referred to as a composite window frame.

2. Vinyl

Vinyl window frames are made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC’s). It is the same materials widely used in plumbings and pipes. This is a popular type of window frame due to its durability and affordability.

Vinyl frames are made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material has many advantages, including being virtually maintenance-free. Not all vinyl window and door frames are the same. There will be differences in the quality of one manufacturer's vinyl compared to another. — Vinyl window frames emerged in the 1970’s, as an alternative to wooden or aluminum frames. They are usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with ultraviolet light stabilizers to protect the material against the sun’s rays. Vinyl frames are made primarily from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material has many advantages, including being virtually maintenance-free. Not all vinyl window and door frames are the same. There will be differences in the quality of one manufacturer’s vinyl compared to another.

3. Aluminum

Aluminum windows has been used in classic as well as modern architecture. This is because of its durability and longevity.

Light yet strong, aluminum frame windows and patio doors can be configured into a wide variety of combinations. The narrowness of the frame places the focus on the glass and subsequently, the view it offers. Multi-panel glass walls are often made with aluminum frames to facilitate indoor/outdoor living. — Here are some aluminum window frames that were displayed in a factory office that I visited a year or so ago. You can see clearly how the windows fit within the profiles and the differences in thicknesses from the window panes and the screen mesh involved.

4. Fiberglass

Benefits of Fiberglass Windows Fiberglass is one of the most durable window materials used to construct frames today. Fiberglass window frames don’t have to be thick to provide strength and stability. — Fiberglass window and door frames are essentially composed of glass fibers and resin, materials that expand and contract very little with temperature changes in the weather. Until recently, the complex profiles required for window designs have been impossible to attain with fiberglass.

Although fiberglass type of window frame is not all that common, it is still known to be the most durable and low maintenance among the four types. This frame is made of extruded fiberglass sections and formed into a frame. The outcome appearance look similar to a PVC window frame.

Glass used in windows

Glass: Knowing the purpose and application of the window will help determine what type of glass should be employed in the design.

Float Glass: Float glass is a sheet of glass that is manufactured by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal. This process creates very smooth pane with a consistent thickness throughout. Float class offers structural flexibility, since it can be easily shaped and bent into a variety of forms.
Safety Glass: Safety glass is glass that has processed to have additional features that make it less likely to break, or less likely to pose danger if it does break. Examples of safety glass are tempered glass, laminated glass and wired glass.
Insulated Glass Unit (IGU): Commonly referred to as double or triple glazing, insulated glass is assembled from two or three panes of glass that are separated by spaces. The space between the glass is filled with air or an inert gas, most commonly argon. IGUs are often tempered or laminated for extra strength and safety, and include a desiccant to remove humidity in the cavity and prevent condensation.
Low-Emissivity (Low-E) Glass: Low-E glass has a microscopically thin, transparent coating that reflects long-wave infrared energy and thus has lower emissivity. This thermally reflective material reflects both heated and cooled air back into the interior of a building, rather than allowing it to flow out. When using Low-E glass, it is important to review product samples as they often have a slight blue-green tint, which may or may not suit the aesthetic of your project.

Energy Efficiency: Other measurements will also help indicate the energy efficiency of a specific window product.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): The SHGC is the fraction of solar radiation that is admitted through a window panes. The SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits.
Visual Light Transmittance (VLT): VLT is the percentage of transmitted visual light that passes through the window. When good daylighting is important, a higher VLT is desirable.

Conclusion

Smoking Lion works with numerous companies to produce a wide selection of windows for both residential and business applications. We have a rather extensive constellation of factories that we work with, and depending on your individual requirements we can provide you the best mix of characteristics for your application.