You Have So Many Options When Choosing Windows

Whether you’re looking at the interior or exterior, the aesthetic of any home is heavily shaped by the appearance of its windows. The right window in the right place can transform a room, draw the eye from the street, or add utility and comfort; the wrong windows can, conversely, leave a home with a lackluster, boring, or outright ugly appearance. It’s no surprise that homeowners can be overwhelmed by the idea of choosing windows in the right style, with the right customization, the right material, the right everything.

Today, we’ll walk you through the options you’ll consider — ideally, with the help of the Zen Windows team — as you choose and design windows for your home, so you can understand the decisions you’ll make and feel a little less intimidated. After all, shopping for windows shouldn’t be scary; it should be exciting and fun!

What Can Be Customized on a Window?

When you’re buying new windows, nearly every component can be customized to a greater or lesser degree, from something as major as the shape of the window and how it operates to the final coating on the finished installation.

Most homeowners start with a window style, such as casement, or picture windows, and work from there — but you can start from a brand, material, color, or glass if you have something specific you’re aiming for.

In most cases, your decisions for window design and customization will look include:

• Window style
• Window material
• Window color
• Grid type
• Glass type
• Hardware

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Window Style

There are countless window styles to start with, from simple single- or double-hung windows to elaborate bay and bow windows. How unique or attention-grabbing do you want your windows to be in the room or from the street? Do you want them to be operable? If so, do you have a preference as to whether they slide open, open like a door, open in or out, etc.?

This can be the hardest decision to make since it governs so much of the final effect — but you can just as easily choose simple double-hung windows or replace your windows with whatever style you currently have and move on immediately to other questions.

Window Material

When you think of windows, you probably think of glass, but of course, any window design is made up of much more than the panes themselves — you also need to consider window materials. If you want to enjoy flexibility in all other options, vinyl is a great choice — it’s Zen Windows’ best seller, and for good reason. Vinyl windows are durable, energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and cost-effective.

Some Zen Windows locations also sell fiberglass windows, which are beloved for their variety of finishes.

Window Color

Once you’ve settled on a material, you’ll be able to explore your options for more than color, but the final aesthetic of your window isn’t just about the shade of white. Whether you want your window to resemble a slick modern plastic, rustic painted wood, or something else entirely, you must also consider the finish.

In some cases, you’ll choose multiple colors, as you can independently color the exterior materials, interior materials, and grid for many windows. Make sure to explore all the options available for a particular material, as you might be surprised by what you can do with color, paint, and coatings.

Grid Type

Grids or grilles can add a lot of character to any window. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a grid is a decorative insert fixed either outside of your window or between the panes; if you’ve seen wood or plastic that goes over the glass in a decorative pattern, that’s a grid.

If you truly want your windows to have character, you’re going to want to consider what — if any — grid you’re using. A bare unobstructed pane can be easier to clean and more practical for letting in light, but it may look unfinished in a larger frame.

Glass Type

Choosing glass can be quite an important part of the window design process. A window’s efficiency is largely determined by the nature of its glass — and you’re not just choosing the specific make of glass and its coatings for energy efficiency; you’ll also decide how many panes the window has.

A triple-paned window with the right low-emissivity glass and appropriate spacing can be impervious to the elements, more secure, and more reliable in a disaster. However, of course, premium windows like this will cost more.

Hardware and Other Accessories

You won’t always have hardware and accessories to think about, but some window designs will have handles, locks, screens, and other fittings you may be able to customize. You might choose the color or even the material — and these little bits of character can have a transformative effect on the final product.

You Don’t Need to Choose On Your Own

Hopefully, when it comes time to shop for replacement windows, this knowledge will help you fully explore your options and work with a design team to find the perfect fit for your home. Seeing the possibilities in our idea gallery or having an interesting option revealed to you when you request available patterns, materials, and colors from your local Zen Windows can result in something completely unexpected and beautiful.

If you’d like to learn more about customizing options or hear what Zen Windows could do for your home, reach out to our team!

Choose a Window to Match Your Home’s Style

Replacing outdated windows is an excellent way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and appearance. Choosing the most appropriate window style is an important first step in the window replacement process. If you’re ready to replace your existing windows or are designing a new home, keep these useful tips in mind when making your choices.

Functional Considerations When Choosing Window Styles

Different windows provide different benefits. As you choose your new replacement windows, think about each one you’re replacing and what purpose the new one will serve, even if it’s just from an aesthetic point of view. For instance, slider windows beautifully complement ranch-style homes but look out of place on the front of a Victorian. If you live in a rainy area, hopper windows are probably not a good idea. Start by asking yourself these five questions:

1. Which direction does my home face?
2. Do I want to replace the existing windows with new ones that are the same size?
3. Will I be adding more windows than I currently have?
4. Do I want any custom-sized windows?
5. Do I need all the new windows to provide ventilation, or will there also be some fixed models like picture and bow windows?

Keep in mind that aesthetically, windows make both an exterior and interior impact.

• While you have a lot more creative freedom with rear-facing windows, those on the front of your house should improve its curb appeal and make the house look welcoming.
• Interior-wise, think about what you wish each window to do. People often want plenty of natural light and airflow in the kitchen. However, in family rooms and dens with big-screen monitors, you might want to consider how much glare there will be.

Lastly, to ensure you get maximum energy efficiency from your new windows, keep your home’s orientation to the sun and wind in mind. For example, placing ventilating or operable windows in areas where the wind blows most can help keep your home cooler and save you on air-conditioning costs. In rooms that get a lot of sun, low-E windows block up to 75% of UV rays, protecting furniture, carpets, and artwork from fading. Low-Es can also reduce energy loss by 30% to 50%.

Choosing Replacement Windows That Complement Your Home’s Architecture

While there are no hard and fast rules about which windows go best with different architectural styles, there’s no denying some look better than others. The choice is always yours!

Here’s a brief guide to choosing windows for common home architectural styles.

• With their steep roofs and side gables, Cape Cod homes traditionally sport multi-pane, double-hung windows with shutters. Casement windows are another great choice. Accent windows might include sidelights and transoms.
• Craftsman bungalows feature deep porches, mixed material facades, and shallow-pitched roofs. Vertically proportioned double-hung and casement windows, typically placed on either side of a fireplace, are popular choices for bungalows. Picture, dormer, and transom windows are appealing accent window styles.
• Two-story homes such as Georgian Federals generally have two or more chimneys, medium pitched roofs, and multi-panel front doors. Upper-floor windows in these homes tend to be shorter and narrower than those on the ground level. Double-hung windows with Colonial grids are the window of choice, with half-circle transoms, oval windows, and quarter-circle windows on either side of the chimney commonly seen.
• Industrial modern houses have simple asymmetrical forms, flat roofs, and varied-material facades. Casement and picture windows tend to emphasize the glass over sashes and grids. And while accent windows aren’t generally used with this architectural style, custom shapes often are.
• Arched entries, asymmetrical window compositions, and steeply pitched roofs define Tudor homes. Diamond and Colonial pattern grids are used with casement, bay, and double-hung windows. Transom and smaller casement windows are attractive accent window styles.

Zen Windows: Always the Right Choice

With three product lines to choose from and various options and features available, Zen Windows’ precision-built, energy-efficient, and affordable replacement windows offer versatility, durability, and reliability few other windows can match. You’re sure to find one or more versions that match your home’s architecture and your personal style.

Find your nearest location and start a conversation with our team today!

The Latest Patio Door Trends

Sliding glass patio doors are a home staple throughout the country. They’re not only a great use of space; they also offer attractive views to the outdoors and look good on homes of all sizes. If there’s a downside, it’s that the basic version most people have in their homes can be a little, shall we say, boring.

If you’re in the market for new or replacement patio doors, you have more options available than you might imagine. You have a seemingly endless variety of patio door options and configurations to choose from, including multi-panel versions, French-style, and updated sliding models with improved energy efficiency.

Here’s a look at some of today’s most popular patio doors, one or more of which is sure to highlight your home’s architectural style.

French-Style Patio Doors

Stylish and functional, French doors are second only to sliding glass doors for people installing new patio doors. Though they’re often seen used in traditional-style homes, they can enhance any home’s architecture. They don’t take up much more space than standard sliding doors and usually make for a less extensive patio door replacement project.

Double-hinged French doors also give you more leeway when it comes to configuring your new patio doors. You can choose models that:

• Swing in to preserve deck or patio space
• Swing out to save interior space
• Have narrower doors, a great option for tighter spaces

You also have different functionality options. For instance, you can choose to have both doors open or, like traditional sliding glass doors, have one panel fixed and the other operable.

Three-Panel and Four-Panel Sliding Glass Doors

You might be surprised at the difference an extra glass panel or two can make to your patio door. Two-panel sliding glass doors have long been the standard, as they take up the least amount of space. But upgrading to a three- or four-panel sliding glass door comes with its own advantages.

• Adding just one panel increases the natural light that flows into the room by 50%. Like two-panel doors, a three-panel sliding patio door has one panel that slides open and closed, while the other two remain fixed.
• Four-panel sliding glass doors create an even wide opening, with the two middle panels operable and the two outer panels fixed. Four-panel doors are a great choice for families who love to entertain in the backyard.

Express Your Unique Patio Door Style

If you’re planning to install new patio doors or replace existing ones, your choices are limited only by your imagination! Which style patio door is “right” for your home is entirely up to your unique style sense and what works best with your home’s design and layout.

Zen Windows offers a beautiful range of replacement patio doors designed to enhance your home’s appearance, safety, and security. To learn more or get a quick online quote, contact us today.