Choosing the Right Window Style for Your Home
The perfect window can bring the outdoors in and enhance your home’s exterior for added safety and security. But which window is perfect for you? Whether you are replacing old windows in an existing home for a more attractive view, choosing new windows for an addition, or starting a self-build, these four tips will help you select the style that looks most authentic and appealing for the architecture of your home.
1. Consider Your Home’s Architecture
One of the first things to consider when choosing the right window style for your home is your home’s specific architectural style. You want windows that will complement your home’s style, not fight it.
Window Styles for Modern Homes
If you have a modern-style home, consider the sleek lines of casement windows to increase ventilation in your home, which helps to decrease energy costs. Like casement windows, awning windows open using a hinge on the top or bottom instead of the side and are perfect for saving indoor space while providing light and ventilation. Picture windows, which are fixed instead of operable, have become increasingly popular, as they too offer natural light, can help reduce energy bills, and can be designed to match other window styles in your home. Special shape windows are also popular for contemporary homes.
Window Styles for Traditional Homes
If you have a more traditional home, you can’t go wrong with double-hung windows. Their timeless look makes them suitable for nearly any home style, which is why they’re by far the most popular window style. A double-hung window is contained in a single casement and features an upper and lower window sash that slides vertically past one another. With a large portion of the window’s area available for ventilation, double-hung windows are great for creating breezes. When they’re closed, they provide insulation for improved energy efficiency and UV protection, and they’re easy to clean because of their tilt-in feature. Bay and bow windows often blend well with vintage homes, and their three-dimensional shape adds interest both inside and out.
2. Decide What Functionality You Want From Your Windows
When choosing a window style, consider the room where it will be located. Do you want natural light, ventilation, or both? One of the most important purposes of a window is to allow air to move in and out of your rooms. Garden windows not only allow natural light and beauty to your home, but they also allow great insulation and distribution of air within your room.
Are you looking for a window that lets more light in? Slider and bay windows are perfect choices for brightening up your home. Slider windows are a good choice when you need to constantly open and close windows, and bay windows can serve as a visual centerpiece in large living rooms or family rooms.
Do you need windows that offer greater security? Casement windows tend to be relatively secure against intruders because the open space is narrow when the windows are open. Awning windows also have a small opening, providing an extra layer of security at an affordable price.
3. Evaluate How Much Ventilation You Want
Operable windows are the ideal choice when you want to catch and direct cool breezes into your home. The two openings on double-hung windows make them excellent for room ventilation, and they are typically easy to open and close because of their springs or weights. Bay and bow windows add immediate charm to any property, as they offer additional space inside the room and maximize the amount of light by the increased number of panes without compromising on security. Even better, their close-set panes create an effective cross-breeze.
If you want light but no ventilation, picture windows are your best bet. They’re fixed, meaning they’re designed not to open. With no openings, you’re guaranteed no air leakage.
4. Bring Color In through Zen Window Frames
Depending on the color and style of your home’s architecture, you may choose window frames that lend color to the exterior of your home. Vinyl windows are popular with Zen Windows customers because of their efficiency, affordability, and low maintenance. Some Zen locations also offer fiberglass windows. Whether you choose vinyl or fiberglass frames, our window manufacturers offer factory colors already infused into the frame material. We can help you choose the aesthetic features that best meet your needs, including decorative glass, colored frames, and advanced screens.
Enlist Zen Windows Pros to Help Choose Your Window Style
The best window style for your home depends on your needs and wants as a homeowner. At Zen Windows, our team can help you find the style of window that will best achieve your vision. If you’re unsure how to get started or feeling a bit overwhelmed by the process, we suggest scheduling a free consultation with one of our team members, who will answer any questions you may have about a window style or project idea.
To schedule your free consultation today, give us a call to learn more about how we can help you. You can also find your nearest Zen Windows location and reach out directly.