There is a saying about eyes that goes “eyes are windows to the soul”. This saying doesn’t just apply to humans. For houses, windows are the eyes, and the interior is the soul of your home. Your windows need to showcase the beauty of your home when seen from the outside. In non-eyeball-related metaphors, nice windows are a great aesthetic choice to make your new house feel more like home.
Still, that does leave the question, what kind of windows should you get? Each home has its own identity and design, so no one window will answer your needs. In this case, it’s important to think about what you want from a window. Do you value safety? Aesthetics? A cool mix of both? These are the questions we will be answering today.
Qualities of Good Windows
From water management methods for windows to purely design-based thinking, here are the best qualities you should consider for your home windows.
Window Materials
Before you start thinking of designs, take a look at what your windows are made out of. For glass, if your goal is security, it doesn’t necessarily have to be pretty. Tempered glass and laminated glass are perfect choices for those looking for durable window panes.
However, for those confident in their window safety, they could go a bit cheaper than the regular float glass. Do note that float glass shatters dangerously, so be careful not to break it or be near it during disasters.
Efficiency
Windows are the ventilation of your home. Once you place it in the best spot, it’s important to make sure it is efficiently paned. Picking the proper kind of glass as well as type is important to how cold or hot your house will be in the coming months. Common home improvement tips often involve the proper insulation of window panes and well-placed ventilation spots.
Aesthetics
Window design is very important to your house’s aesthetic. It’s something that can be seen both inside and outside of the house. While there are certainly good-looking windows, they have to fit with the style profile of your entire home. A stained glass window on a tropical home might not be the most aesthetically harmonious design, for example.
Types of Windows
Windows come in all shapes and sizes. Just like how you shop for furniture online and pick the best for your home, the same goes for your windows.
Single Hung Windows
One of the most common types of windows, single-hung designs are economical and aesthetically pleasing. They are the perfect fit for classic suburban home designs. They are opened by vertically pulling the lower pane upwards. The upper pane is stationary. They are one of the most affordable window types on the market.
Double Hung Windows
Double-hung windows are a more expensive option but are also much easier to lean and maintain. In this design, both the upper sash and lower sash can move individually. They are a popular replacement window choice due to their versatility.
Block Windows
Block windows are an aesthetic choice. They are best installed in areas of the house you want private, but also still want natural light to enter through. These are a great option for your bathroom windows, should you choose to have those. They are very durable and often last for much longer than other window types.
Picture Window
Picture Windows are straightforward. They are giant, immovable panes of glass that are perfect for homes with beautiful views. For those on the mountainside or coast, this is a great window option. They offer a ton of natural sunlight and also provide a nice viewing point into your home in the daytime. Blinds can be closed on them rather easily.
Awning Windows
For homes in a rainy climate, awning windows are a practical choice more than an aesthetic one. They open in a way that lets raindrops off of it harmlessly onto the outside. It helps ventilate the house without suddenly blasting your home with torrents of rainwater.
Circle Windows
Round windows are primarily aesthetic, but they are amazing choices for your attic. A nice round window gives your house a Victorian Gothic look. It’s a great place to put an office near as well. It looks very imposing both inside and outside.
Arched Windows
Arched windows are basically a fancier version of the picture window. These windows are a purely aesthetic choice, but they do offer good sunlight as well as a beautifully unique view of the outside. Arched windows are also a good candidate for stained glass windows, should you be so bold.
Garden Windows
Garden windows are a botanist’s dream. They are essentially protruding greenhouses on the side of your home. They expose your plants to precious sunlight without exposing them to the harsh urban elements outside. In places where the weather might not be agreeable, this is a good choice for botanists.
Egress Window
If your house has a basement, this is a window to consider. It’s not an aesthetic window, but a purely functional window. These windows are basically an emergency escape route for people in the basement in case of a disaster. They should be able to fit any person living in your home. Make sure there is a ladder near it for easy access.
Skylights
Skylights are perfect for homeowners who want to keep their external walls clean but also value natural light. Skylights are a great aesthetic choice for modern homes. In a cinch, it can also be a great way to easily access your roof in case of emergencies or repairs.
Storm Windows
Storm windows are self-explanatory, but to recap: they are highly durable windows that are installed primarily in storm-heavy locations. Ensure that the material of your storm windows can withstand heavy shocks. Safety should be the priority with this window type, not aesthetics. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t work a storm window’s look into your home’s aesthetic.
For new homeowners, there are a lot of other things to consider besides windows. If you want to know more about what to do, look for more home and lifestyle articles on our site here.