I get this question all the time: “Can I mix window styles?” Now, you might be asking yourself, “What does that even mean? How can you mix them?” Let me clarify. Window style refers to the type of window on your house or building. There are many different types of windows, and they have the characteristics that make them unique – but what if you want a new look for your home or office? Can I Mix Window Styles is my latest blog post tackling this very issue!
Understand Your Home’s Style
Before you can begin to mix window styles, you must understand what the different types are. This will help guide your decision on which style to pick and how best they might fit together. To get started, let me first give a brief overview of some basic terms related to windows:
The three most common types of windows are casement, awning, and double-hung.
Each of the three types of windows above can have different styles – now let’s take a look at what each style looks like!
Casements: This type of window is hinged on one side to open outwards. It often features two or more panels that swing open horizontally or vertically, with hinges on the side opposite to is opened.
Awnings: These windows are hinged along one edge and open outward by swinging against a wall or roof overhang like an inverted “U” shape. Some types of these windows feature panels that slide past each other to be larger than they are.
Double-Hung Windows: These types of windows have two sashes that slide vertically past each other to open and close the window. Some styles feature a fixed top pane with a lower sliding pane or vice versa, where both panes can be opened and completed independently.
Choose Your Style Wisely!
The style you choose will affect what you do with the rest of your house exterior. If you have a Victorian-style home, the chances are that an arched window would look quite out-of-place on your exterior, so it’s best to avoid this type of window if possible!
So now that we know what types of windows exist and which styles they can be let’s dive into how to mix them!
Mix Window Styles With Care
Now that you know the styles, it’s time for me to tell you why it is essential not to get too carried away with your window choices. The next thing I want to talk about is curb appeal, and this will be a bit of a more extended, section so bear with me a bit longer!
Curb Appeal Matters!
Creating curb appeal should be the number one priority when it comes to your home’s exterior. People are always looking at houses as they drive or walk by, and you want them to have something beautiful to see. It’ll make their day better, which will make you feel better.
So what does this have to do with windows? Well, the primary point is that it’s essential to maintain a cohesive theme throughout your exterior design, so everything looks good together! This means matching window styles and maintaining consistency in color schemes or materials used for other house elements like siding and roofing.
Mix Window Styles for the Right Reason
Now that you know why it’s essential to maintain consistency in your exterior design, let me go over why mixing window styles can be an excellent idea! At first, though, mixing and matching may seem like an odd or even bad choice, but there are many instances where you can benefit from mixing up the styles you use.
• Using multiple different window types in a small room or around an odd corner of your house makes it stand out and feel more interesting!
• Adding some variety by using both casement and double-hung windows on one side of your home that gets lots of light – this is good for getting more light into the house as well.
• Adding a French door or two to your exterior design, especially if you have an open floor plan inside! These are good for making the outside feel like it is part of the interior.
Window Styles for a Traditional Home
Traditional home styles like Victorian, Colonial, or Cape Cod fare better with a mix of double-hung, bay, or bow windows to help achieve a timeless look. These window styles come in different sizes and shapes that you can mix without making your home look unusual.
Traditional homes often use:
•Double Hung Windows (two sashes – one fixed top pane, one that slides vertically)
•Bay Windows (three sashes – two fixed side panes and a larger center pane that slides horizontally to open or close the window. Sometimes, it can be lifted instead of sliding.)
•Bow Windows (four sashes – three small side windows with a large central pane). Like bay windows, they may be fixed or able to be opened/closed.
•Casement Windows (one sash that swings open from side hinges instead of sliding up and down like double-hung windows)
Choose Your Style Wisely! The style you choose will affect what you do with the rest of your house exterior. If you have a Victorian home, chances are an arched window would look quite out-of-place on your exterior, so it’s best to avoid this type of window if possible!
Window Styles for a Modern Home
Its clean lines and asymmetrical designs define a modern home. Homes with contemporary or modern styles generally do not include any ornate decorations but instead feature simple yet sleek colors and furniture. If you want to design your home in this style, consider choosing windows with a minimalist appearance for an attractive result. For example, casement windows are made from large expanses of glass and have a clean, sleek appearance. You could also choose slider windows if you need to save space with your window design.
These styles are the best for a modern home because they do not include any complicated designs or ornate features that take away from its simplicity.
Window Trends for Your Home
Your home’s windows are one of the first things potential buyers will see when they come to tour your home. If you’re looking for more natural light in your kitchen or living room, consider using garden windows instead of traditional double-hung-style windows. Garden windows allow airflow and additional lighting from outside without requiring homeowners to step out into their yard every time they want to open the window.
To save energy, you can also consider installing replacement windows in your home. Replacement windows are typically more affordable than buying new construction, and they can help reduce drafts while preserving heat or air conditioning inside your home. If you want a modernized look for your older-style house, upgrading its current windows with newer ones will give it a fresh modern appearance.
Replacement windows are an excellent choice for homeowners who want to replace their old, drafty windows and save money on heating or cooling costs in the process.
Special Shape Windows Are Ideal for Unique Homes
Consider using special shape windows if you’re looking to add some architectural interest into your home’s design. Shaped windows are perfect for homes with a modern or contemporary style because they do not feature traditional shapes like round, square or arched styles.
For example, you could choose bay and bow windows if your home has two walls connecting to one corner of the room. These window types give homeowners an excellent opportunity to open up their space by connecting it to the outdoors.
If you have a home with an atypical layout, consider using custom windows that can be made to fit any size or shape of your choice. From small triangle windows for kitchens and bathrooms, which maximize lighting and airflow in tight spaces, to large bow window designs for living rooms, there’s no limit on how you can use these windows to enhance your home.
Unique shape windows and garden-style windows are perfect for homeowners who want their homes’ exterior features or interior designs to stand out from the rest of the neighborhood.
Express Your Style Through
You can mix and match window styles or utilize window trends in unique ways throughout your house without worrying about ruining its overall style. If you want a modernized look for older homes, upgrade their existing windows with newer ones that give them a fresh, unique appearance. You can also choose garden windows for kitchen and living room areas if you want more natural lighting and airflow without requiring homeowners to step outside every time they need to open a window.
Just remember, when it comes to mixing up styles or trends within your home’s exterior design, some things should be avoided to preserve the overall style of your house. For example, never mix arched and round windows in the same home because it could make rooms appear oddly shaped or out-of-place. You should also avoid using unique shape windows if you have an atypical layout for your home’s design unless you want to draw attention to its unique architecture.
