How to Pick the Right Window Type for Your Home

Looks and function both matter in your window choice
Read Time: 3 minutes
Jun 5, 2023

Windows are an important part of your home. They provide both functionality and curb appeal to your home. On top of that, they help make living in your home more enjoyable by letting in natural light. For these reasons, it’s essential that you choose the right windows for your home.

Decide the Window’s Purpose

Windows in kitchen and dining room

Before you start the process of choosing your windows, you need to decide what exactly that window is going to provide for your home. Is it to provide a view or natural light for the interior of your home? Depending on the room they’re in, windows could also double as a door with the installation of sliding glass and french doors. The type of window you get will depend on what you want that window to do for your home.

Consider the Weather

You’ll also need to consider the weather and climate of the location in which you live. If you live in a northern state that gets cold winters, you’ll want windows that can provide insulation from the cold. If you live in an area that has nice weather in the spring or summer, you may want to consider windows that open to let in the breeze. Windows that are primarily for a view may not be openable.

Pay Attention to Your Home’s Direction

Which direction your home faces also plays a role in where windows should go. If you’re remodeling or designing your home from scratch, then you have the opportunity to place them where they’ll do the most good. You’ll want to pay attention to where the sun will be as it rises and sets and how the rooms inside are oriented. Too much light coming in from the west as the sun is setting could cause a glare on the TV in the east side of the living room, for example.

Determine How Much Ventilation Is Needed

Windows make a home more aesthetically pleasing but they are also functional. They provide ventilation to your home. How much ventilation needed depends on where the window is located. Your home may have a combination of fixed and operable windows. Fixed windows don’t open and are primarily for providing a view and letting light into a home. Operable windows open and close to allow a breeze to come in. You’ll need to decide where in your home you most need operable windows.

Pick How You Want the Windows to Open

If your windows are going to be operable, you’ll have several varieties to choose from. Most homes have sash windows. These can open either up and down or from side to side. Another option is double-hung windows, which open up and down. Horizontal slider windows slide open to the side. Awning windows have hinges that allow them to swing open at an angle. Some homes have hopper windows over doorways or other windows that can open via hinges at the bottom. Hopper windows need to be protected from the elements, usually by an eave on the outside of the house.

Match Your Home’s Style and Color Scheme

Windows in green room

When you’re choosing windows, you should make sure they match your home’s existing style and color scheme. This means not only matching colors but also matching the architectural style of your home. Awning windows may look better with a more modern style of home while sash windows may fit better with a more traditional architectural design. As for color, you’ll want to make sure that the windows match both inside and outside. Neutrals are popular because they go with nearly everything, but windows are also an opportunity to add a splash of color to your home, both inside and out.

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