Replacing windows is not a common concern for house owners. Unless your house is fairly old, and your windows are not keeping the cold air out (or the heat in), you would not have to think about replacement windows- not yet.
The common types of replacement windows in the market are vinyl replacement windows, aluminum replacement windows, awning replacement windows, casement replacement windows, double hung replacement windows and so on.
Vinyl replacement windows are known as the most popular choice among replacement windows. They are cost efficient, and adds a modern touch to your home. They come in a variety of colours. You can even replace the vinyl windows by yourself.
Aluminum replacement windows are chosen by contractor and architects mostly because of its durability, stability, and strength. They are more common in commercial buildings than in houses. Aluminum replacement windows are preferred over wood replacements because they do not need as much maintenance (think repainting). However, there are contractors that use aluminum windows on the exterior and wood on the interior of buildings.
Awning replacement windows are often chosen because they have handles that make opening and closing of windows easier. This type of replacement window is highly recommended if your main aim is ventilation.
Casement replacement windows are referred to as the best choice when it comes to ventilation. You can control the air flow by opening the windows to your desired width. They are also a very popular choice for vertical windows.
Double hung windows are considered as one of the traditional window types. There are companies that produce double hung windows whereby both the upper and lower sash can be opened to help ventilation, and some are designed to be tilted towards you to ease the cleaning process.
There are other choices of window replacements in the market. The most important thing when choosing a window replacement is to understand what you are looking for. If you like the design of the current window, you can always just change the glass. Make sure to check all the types before choosing a replacement, because you will not need to replace your windows within the next few years.