8 Ways to Upgrade the Aesthetic of Your Windows

Windows are a major part of your home’s curb appeal and can make or break its character. Worn out or dated windows will make your entire home look drab. When you’re thinking about replacement windows, go beyond your home’s current window configuration and explore all the options that can make your home stand out. The options for upgrading your windows are almost limitless, but we’ve compiled some of the most popular, elegant, and trendy ways to boost your home’s aesthetic with new replacement windows. 

1. Choose Windows with Character

Windows in interesting shapes and styles can add needed character from both inside and outside the home. Mix up the shapes and sizes of your windows depending on their location. An arched window over the front door, for example, can make more of a stately impression on a traditional home, while a long rectangular window over the entryway would be suitable for a contemporary home. In the stairway, circular or ovular windows are a great choice. 

If the classic grid-style window is more appealing to you, choose single-hung windows with a grid only on the top sash for more character. You could also choose a single-hung window with an irregular grid pattern, like a row of small grids at the top of the upper sash while the rest of the window is a larger pane of glass. 

2. Wood and Wood Look Window Frames

Everyone loves the appeal of wooden window frames. They’re classic and look great on older homes and newer homes alike. Unfortunately, they aren’t as durable as windows in other materials or windows with a more durable material on the exterior. 

Fiberglass windows made to look like real wood will have the character of natural wood grain but the durability of fiberglass. You won’t have to worry about rotting, cracking, or warping. These are also available in virtually every color and can be painted if you’d ever like to change the look of your home. You are also not limited to the shape or size of your windows. 

If real wood is what you’re after, choose a window with wood framing on the interior of your home and durable fiberglass on the exterior. You will still enjoy the look of wood from your sofa with peace of mind knowing the exterior of your windows will hold their shape and structure for years down the line. 

3. Create A Row of Traditional Windows

The standard single-hung window with grids is a mainstay for their aesthetic appeal. There is a limit as to how large these windows can be made, so having three or even four of these windows installed side-by-side will both make a statement and bring in lots of natural light. This is a great design choice for bedrooms and living rooms. If you’d like to install this feature on your second floor, consider double-hung windows to make cleaning your windows a breeze. 

4. Fill an Entire Wall With Windows

Perfect for your contemporary home, a full wall of picture windows creates quite a statement and allows you to take full advantage of natural light. Even more striking is creating a full window wall with a vaulted ceiling to create an interesting shape, make your space feel much larger than it is, and feel more connected to the outdoors with near-unobstructed views. 

5. Moving Glass Walls

Moving glass walls are a unique way to bring an incredible amount of natural light into your home and to create a retractable wall that connects the inside with the outdoors. A great space to implement a moving glass wall is between your living space and your outdoor living area. By removing the wall between these spaces, you’re greatly increasing the amount of entertainment space you currently have, you’re creating an easy way to carry serving ware from the kitchen to your outdoor dining area, and you’re benefiting from circulating fresh air from outside to the inside of your home. 

Moving glass walls are available in different styles, like folding glass walls, pocket glass walls, and sliding glass walls. The space you have available will determine the type of wall you choose. A pocket style will offer less moving panels because they will have to fit within a hidden pocket of the adjoining wall. Sliding glass walls are limited as to how many panels can slide and stack in front of one another. Finally, folding glass walls offer the longest expansion of panels but require space for the stacked panels to swing either inward or outward. 

6. Add Clerestory Windows

Clerestory windows are a row of windows that are above eye level that provide both natural light into a space and privacy. They are a great addition over the upper kitchen cabinets, along the ceiling in the living room over a fireplace and built-ins, or another area where wall space is otherwise occupied but natural light is needed. 

Clerestory windows are most commonly used in contemporary or modern homes and are fixed, meaning they don’t slide or lift open. 

7. Picture Windows 

If you’d like large unobstructed views, picture windows are a great option. This type of window can blend into many home styles. A series of large picture windows works well with contemporary homes while a picture window flanked by single hung windows will have a more traditional look. 

8. Sidelites for Your Entryway

While sidelites are themselves windows, they’re typically used on either side of a front entry door. Sidelites are available in any style, from Victorian with stained glass to contemporary with clean lines and frosted glass. They create a more substantial entryway and can boost your home’s curb appeal. Use just one sidelite for an asymmetric look or a pair for a balanced look. 

Looking for More Replacement Window Ideas?

This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the possibilities for your replacement windows. The options are plenty in style, color, material, and size. Window and Door Showplace is your go-to window expert with access to a huge assortment of windows and doors to match any style of home. When you’re ready to explore all the different ways you can upgrade your home’s aesthetic with new windows, contact us to schedule a consultation in one of our Northern Virginia showrooms.