It doesn’t take luxurious upgrades to rejuvenate your home’s appearance. Simply improving upon exterior design elements and making sure they form a lovely, harmonic whole will do the trick. These design elements include your windows, which contribute greatly to your curb appeal, helping define the look and style of your home. If your existing windows are old and worn down, now is the perfect time to replace them. Window replacement is an easy and effective way to spruce up your exterior. There’s nothing quite like crisp gloss of brand new windows catching the sunlight. As with most home improvement projects, however, careful purchasing decisions are key, especially when it comes to window design. If you want to make the most of your investment, choose replacement windows that complement your home’s architecture. We dedicate this ebook to helping you choose the window styles that best suit your home. Plus, we’ll discuss more of these windows’ exceptional features.
PART 1: DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS
If you want to make your home stand (for the right reasons), make sure the different components of your exterior harmonize with each other and create a cohesive effect. This is especially crucial when you’re aiming for historic accuracy. If you own a traditional home, for example, you can’t go wrong with casement or bow windows--exceptional choices that will enhance the classic aesthetic of your home. CASEMENT WINDOWS This window style has graced homes for centuries and was considered the go-to option before sash windows were introduced. Casement windows are attached to their frames via side hinges, allowing you to crank them open outward like a door. These windows used to come in metal frames and leaded glass, but they’re now available in a number of other materials, including wood, vinyl and composite materials. Casement windows are typically associated with: • Cabin and Cottage Homes. Their simple and classic design can greatly add to a Cabin or Cottage home’s casual feel and rustic charm. Because casement windows can be opened fully, they provide an expansive outdoor view while letting in fresh, healthy air. This complements a Cabin or Cottage home’s emphasis on the connection to nature.
PART 1: CASEMENT AND BOW WINDOWS FOR VINTAGE HOMES
• Tudor Homes. This home style is known for its medieval characteristics, including a steeply-pitched roofline, decorative half-timbering on the exterior and wooden board doors with ornate hardware. Given how casement windows were introduced right around the same period, they’ll fit right in with this style, especially when equipped with the right grille pattern and art glass. BOW WINDOWS This window style can be traced all the way back to 18th century Europe and is recognizable by its graceful, curved appearance. Bow windows consist of four or more panels joined together to form an arched shape. They protrude from the home, creating a deep sill area you can use as additional seating, storage, or as a surface for displaying plants, photos and other knickknacks.
Bow windows are somewhat different from bay units, which have a more angular shape. Both window styles work well in vintage homes. They work best in Queen Anne homes, which emphasize asymmetry and ornate details. In fact, a bow window will fit right in among the verandas, towers and turrets commonly associated with a Queen Anne home. ooooo
Stay tuned for the second installment of our ebook, where we discuss how picture and gliding windows enhance the beauty of Contemporary and Modern homes.
PART 2: CASEMENT WINDOWS
Does your home have an open layout, a flat, clean roofline and other sleek architectural details? Then you must own a modern home, a home style known for its emphasis on minimalist design, natural light and seamless connection with the outdoors. The windows gracing these homes tend to have slim frames and expansive glass--features you’ll find in picture and sliding windows. PICTURE WINDOWS A staple in Contemporary and Modern homes, picture windows come with thin frames and a large glass area. Because they don’t have grids that divide the glass, these units provide an uninterrupted view of the outdoors--which is perfect for framing a stunning view. Picture units are fixed, which means you can’t open them to ventilate your rooms. On the other hand, this same feature makes the picture window one of the most energy efficient options you can find because it forms a complete airtight seal. On top of that, picture windows admit abundant natural light, which helps cut back on lighting bills.
PART 2: PICTURE AND SLIDING WINDOWS FOR CONTEMPORARY HOMES
SLIDING WINDOWS Sliding windows allow for convenient operation--their smooth gliding motion along durable, even tracks takes very little effort. Because they can be opened, they provide excellent natural ventilation.
Pro-Tip: As with all window styles, picture and sliding windows work best with a durable composite framing material and advanced lowemissivity (Low-E) glass. This way, you’ll enjoy a home that looks beautiful and is also extremely energy efficient. ooooo
In the final installment of our ebook, we take a close look at the versatility of double hung windows, which can match almost any home style.
PART 3: PICTURE WINDOWS
Few window styles can provide the excellent versatility of double hung windows. In fact, they are the most popular window style today, gracing millions of homes across the country. Whether your home has traditional or contemporary architecture, double hung windows will work perfectly. DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS Double hung windows feature two sashes you can slide open vertically. Unlike single hung windows, both upper and bottom sashes of a double hung unit can be operated, providing superior ventilation. This window style can offer many design possibilities. Its clean, simple design can be customized with any number of grille patterns, exterior trims, wood finishes and hardware. In addition, double hung windows can be installed in any room without looking out of place--a testament to their versatility. Here are some popular home styles that frequently feature double hung windows: • Craftsman. This home style is characterized by low-pitched roofs, wide front porches, exposed beams, built-in furniture and an open room layout. Because Craftsman homes emphasize the use of natural materials like wood, brick and stone, you should pair them with double hung windows in wood trim or another material with the same look and texture.
PART 3: DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS FOR ANY HOME STYLE
• Farmhouse and Ranch. These styles embody stylish country living. Farmhouse and Ranch homes have a sprawling design, easy indooroutdoor connection, functional porches for smoother transition, and exterior colors that take cues from nature. Add double hung windows with a neutral trim to accentuate the homey, casual feel of your home’s architecture. • Colonial. This home style typically features a saltbox shape, columns, chimneys and evenly spaced dormers. Double hung windows on Colonial homes are usually shuttered with white trim for simple elegance. • Contemporary. Double hung windows can be modified to fit modern home styles too. For instance, you can install a row of double hung windows in one area to create a “wall of light,”which lets in considerable natural light into your home akin to picture windows. When you feel like taking in a bit of fresh, healthy air, simply open both the top and bottom sashes at the same time. This lets warm, stale air exit your home through the top, while cooler air enters your home via the bottom. This doesn’t just improve indoor air quality--it also helps you reduce energy bills.
Sprucing up your home through window replacement can be easy, once you’ve taken into account some essential design considerations. Remember to look to your home’s architecture as a guide. You should also hire a premier contractor who offers extensive window options and can ensure a flawless installation.
Renewal by Andersen of Eastern NYÂŽ 112 Rotterdam Industrial Park, Schenectady, NY 12306 (866) 479-1700 www.rbaeasternny.com