Which style of windows would best complement your Ohio home’s architectural design? Should you opt for the timeless double-hung style or the more sleek and modern sliding window? Or are specialty windows the best choice?
With so many options to choose from, you may be feeling a bit lost. Read on as Renewal by Andersen® of Cincinnati discusses common architectural designs and the window styles that suit them best.
Cape Cod
Though it takes its cues from the English cottage style, the Cape Cod design is a quintessential American architectural style. Cape Cod homes feature a modern interior layout while preserving classic exterior elements like steep roofs with side gables and overhangs, as well as gabled dormers.
Double-hung windows are a common sight in Cape Cod homes, usually featuring a tall and narrow profile, with the top and lower sashes being different heights. Casement windows also work well with the modern version of this home style, as long as the grille patterns resemble that of double-hung windows. White is often favored for both window exteriors and trim, although other light tones can work well too.
American Farmhouse
The American farmhouse style emerged in the mid-1800s. Homes in this style range from small, simple structures to more elaborate abodes. They feature simple detailing and open floor plans and can be up to two stories tall.
Tall, narrow double-hung windows are a great fit for the farmhouse style’ simple, back-to-nature aesthetic. Gables, which are a common exterior feature of this home style, can have accent windows to complete the look. When it comes to colors, the farmhouse style reflects the limited choices that were available to homeowners in the 19th century and often borrows from other popular architectural styles. Colonial Revival homes, which are known for their whites and pastels, can also be integrated into the American farmhouse style.
Prairie
Drawing inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement of the 20th century, the Prairie style was developed by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who believed that homes should look like they grew organically from the land. Prairie homes feature an open floor plan, rows of windows and doors and a low-sloped hipped roof.
Casement windows are the favored choice for Prairie homes because of their expansive glass panes. This feature allows the home style’s trademark art glass to be easily incorporated into the design. The windows’ exterior color palette can range from earthy browns and rusts to autumn reds and golds, from leafy greens to warm tans and natural stone beiges.
Craftsman Bungalow
Like the Prairie home style, the Craftsman Bungalow is also a product of the Arts and Crafts movement. The popular variation of this architectural style first appeared in the early 1900s—one-and-a-half story homes with a shallow-pitched roof and a combination of materials like shingles, brick and siding.
A variety of window types can be used for this home style, like double-hung windows with stained wood interiors. The upper windows typically feature grilles and are vertically proportioned or square. Known for their functionality, bay windows are also a good fit. Craftsman Bungalow windows usually feature warm, earthy browns, greens and yellows. Two contrasting colors can be used, one for the frame and sash and another for the trim.
Renewal by Andersen of Cincinnati provide customers with customizable windows that fit perfectly in any home. Our impressive products deliver top-notch performance, thanks to two important components: our Fibrex® frames and Low-E4® glass. You can highlight the beauty of your chosen windows by choosing from a wide array of exterior and interior colors and finishes, hardware options and grilles.
Contact us today to learn more about our replacement windows and our window installation process. Call (866) 609-5033 or fill out our contact form to request a free in-home consultation. Our service areas include Cincinnati, West Chester, Loveland, Sharonville and Mason, OH.
