6 Tips For Choosing The Right Window Design

Different window styles can add personality to your property while also providing valuable benefits to homeowners such as improving energy efficiency and increasing resale value. In this blog, we share six practical tips to help you select the right window design for your home.

Continue reading to learn more!

1. Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style

Take a step back and look at your home’s architectural design. For instance, a classic casement window with rectangular or diamond-shaped grilles can perfectly preserve a traditional Tudor style home’s timeless charm. On the other hand, modern floor-to-ceiling windows or sliding windows beautifully complement properties with a contemporary design.

Matching your window designs with your home’s architectural style will prevent design elements from clashing with each other. Instead, it’s going to create a visually-pleasing look for your property’s facade and enhance your curb appeal.

2. Think of the Functionalities You Want for Your Windows

Windows are usually added to usher in plenty of natural light during the day as well as to promote good air circulation and ventilation inside the house, however, the window design you choose can offer even more functionality to your home.

Large sliding windows can be used as access points to a nearby porch and oversized windows can give you a full view

of your gorgeous garden. Also, adding a unique window design can amplify a cozy reading nook to your bay or bow windows.

Ask yourself if you are adding windows to a part of your home for aesthetic purposes – if this is the case, install round windows by the staircase or stained glass windows that can double as decorative artwork, illuminating your interiors and giving it a dash of character.

3. Windows That Complement Your Exterior Door’s Style

When deciding which window design to get, it’s important to consider if it matches your front door’s colour, finish, and overall style. If you are building a new home, we recommend shopping from the same windows and doors collection in order to reduce the likelihood of mix-matching styles.

On the other hand, if you already have a bold statement door, it may be a good idea to stick with simple window designs that have a clean and minimalist appearance to balance everything out. If you have a dark entryway, you might want to consider supplementing available sources of natural light by installing transom windows and sidelight windows around your front door.

4. Make Energy Efficiency a Priority

Updating windows is one of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. According to Energy.gov, heat loss and gain through glass windows account for 25 to 30 percent of heating and cooling costs in most residential properties. Hence, investing in energy-efficient window designs should be a priority for both new and existing homes.

5. Use the Sun’s Orientation as a Guide

Think about your home’s location in terms of where the sun rises or sets every day. Depending on where you live geographically, each side of your home will be prone to different exposures; in this case, design experts suggest that it’s always easier to work with them than against them.

Here’s a quick guide from Architectural Digest to help you better understand directional exposures from your windows.

• East-facing windows receive morning light
• West-facing windows receive afternoon glow
• South-facing windows receive bright light all-day
• North-facing windows receive soft light all-day

If you are currently in the process of designing and building your home with an architect or contractor, you can alter the design of your home to position different rooms and windows with this in mind. For example, you can plot your family room and its windows in a spot that doesn’t get intense afternoon sun, that way, avoiding the risk of the room being uncomfortably hot without air conditioning.

Nevertheless, shopping for replacement windows is also an excellent remedy if you have these kinds of issues in your current home. For example, you can ask your window specialist to provide you with suggestions for a window design that comes with sun-protective coatings or window films for south-facing windows. Alternatively, you can also consider adding treatments to existing windows.

6. How Do You Want to Open Your Windows?

Are you leaning towards a fixed or operable window design? If you want windows that open, how do you prefer to operate them? There are many different operable window designs that you can choose from. The most common window styles used in residential properties are:

• Double-hung windows – This window design comes with two movable lower and upper sashes. This window design is highly recommended if you want to improve your home’s ventilation or for children’s bedrooms because you can lock the bottom sash, keeping them safe inside.
• Sliding windows – This space-saving, modern window design does not need extra space to open because they simply slide over to open. They’re stylish, low maintenance, and suitable for modern homes.
• Casement windows – Like traditional doors, casement windows are hinged to one side and fully opens. It’s a must-have window design if you want to let the sunshine in and optimal ventilation with uninterrupted views of the outdoors. Casement windows are ideal for professional window installation in large open spaces and hard-to-reach areas.
• Awning windows – This particular window design has a single sash linked at the top, allowing you to swing the window upwards. This energy-efficient window design offers ventilation during hot and humid days, but can still be sealed to prevent drafts during the colder seasons.

Ontario Window Companies

Whether you are building your new home and shopping for windows, or updating your property’s curb appeal with replacement windows, choosing the right window design is only the first step.

For high-quality windows and professional window installation, make sure you only work with reputable window companies in Ontario. Let us help you choose a reliable provider from our selection of top-rated window manufacturers. Check out our list of Ontario window companies now!