Many Long Island homeowners want their windows and doors to create a seamless integration between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Done properly, during spring, summer and early fall, activities flow easily from inside to outside, and your garden, patio or side yard becomes an additional living space for entertaining and daily routines. For people who plan to update their property with replacement windows and patio doors, style and accessory choices ensure your integration is both functional and attractive.
These tips will help you discover how to successfully integrate the two areas:
Replacement windows, just like original home windows, frame your view on the other side, whether that’s indoors or outdoors.
Before you decide a casement window over the sink will work nicely as a replacement for the existing double-hung style for easier access, take a few minutes to consider what you see through the pane. And, what you want to see when you pause to look outside. Also consider how a casement window might affect traffic flow patterns outside when the window is open.
As you move through your home, notice that the view through windows installed in the center of a wall offer a view of landscaping and outdoor furniture several feet away from the home, while floor to ceiling windows provide a more expansive view, including features closer to the house.
Then, ask yourself these questions:
Many people spend plenty of time thinking about communal downstairs living spaces — the den, living room, kitchen, etc., and forget that upstairs sleeping quarters, laundry rooms and guest bathrooms also have views worthy of consideration. While these other rooms don’t typically provide entrance and egress, they still play a vital role in bringing the natural surroundings indoors. Think about how you use each room. An operable window in the bathroom allows healthy ventilation and humidity control. An open window also allows people in the bathroom to inhale the glorious aroma from a garden in full bloom, and listen to the song birds announcing dawn’s arrival.
Seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces requires homeowners to consider the unique sights, sounds and sensations that naturally flow between inside and outside rooms. A casement window is the perfect solution for capturing a pleasant breeze, but awnings with their built-in umbrella that channels water away from your home may be a better choice for people who want to the sights and sounds of a gentle shower, and feel the cool air flowing into the room.
Like replacement windows, replacement patio doors expand living spaces. The way you access outdoor living areas deserves careful thought, too. French-style, hinged patio doors deliver a touch of elegance and enhance efficient traffic flow when open. When closed, both sliders and hinged patio doors allow natural light flow to brighten inside living areas. A beautiful, functional door makes make it easy to move from one area to another, and seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor elements with a consistent tone and feel.
Explore Renewal by Andersen replacement window and patio door solutions with a visit to our showroom. You can also fill in the short form on this page or dial (866) 609-5033 to reach a professional replacement window design team member or schedule a free, in-home window and patio door consultation.
