Changing to awnings or casements from single hungs even in vinyl will add a considerable amount of dollars and awning especially in my mid will look terribly out of place in that type of house.

Millworkman: okay, so I understand they will be more expensive. I might just rule them out based on that alone. I'm curious as to why you think awning would look out of place? To me (uneducated about windows) it seems like having the lower portion of those big windows changed to awning wouldn't really look any different. If you are saying that due to style I would like to clarify that the exterior will be changed to look more like this:

Awnings in large rooms without it being a modern type house just seem odd to me as well as the fact that they only open about 5 inches or so so you will not get much ventilation. Plus the size limitations if you want tot replace a large single hung you will have to purchase 2 awning units (even more $) and while only one may be operable even a fixed awning will be more expensive than a single hung.

Nothing really to add to what Millworkman didn't already clarify perfectly.

Pretty home that you have in the works there.

The only other option if you are looking for some ventilation ability when raining might be a tilt and turn.

I would have suggested that but they would really add to the cost (go perfect but expensive)!!

I would have suggested that but they would really add to the cost (go perfect but expensive)!!

I generally don't like mixing single/double hungs with casements in awnings on the same house unless they're on a different elevation.