There are so many beautiful forests, hillsides, and ponds in the Michigan area. If you’re lucky enough to have a scenic view outside of your home, then why not capture it with a picture window? Picture windows bring the beauty of the outdoors into your home, essentially making it a part of your decor. And there are so many different ways to combine a picture window with another functional window. You could pair yours with a stacked set of sliding windows, casement windows to either side, and the list goes on. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right combination for your Michigan home.
Is there a lot of space outside of the picture window, or do you have bushes, a patio, or a walkway right up against it? If you have plenty of clearance, then casement and awning windows remain a viable option. However, if you don’t have a lot of outside clearance, then you’ll want to steer clear of these styles when designing your combination window. Both hinge open to the outside, so they can create an obstruction on your walkway or patio. Double-hung and gliding windows pair best with picture windows when there’s little outdoor clearance.
The picture window itself won’t open, so if you plan to ventilate the room with your windows, you’ll need to rely on the other components of your combination window to capture the breeze. If there are a lot of cross-breezes on that side of your home, a casement window may be ideal since the side opening will allow it to capture cross breezes. You can place one casement to either side of your picture window and arrange them to hinge open in opposite directions. This way, you catch breezes blowing in from any direction.
Picture windows can be made more energy-efficient by choosing high-performance glass. However, all glass transfers some heat, and glass type is just one factor that impacts energy efficiency. Casement and awning windows tend to be the most efficient since they lock tightly into the frame, preventing air leaks. If you choose a double-hung window or sliding window instead, you may want to spend a bit more in performance glass to make up for the slightly lower efficiency of these window styles.
What style of windows do you have throughout the rest of your Michigan home? If you prefer a coherent, balanced look, then consider placing the same style of windows to either side of your picture window. For instance, if you have double-hung windows with a 4-over-1 grille pattern throughout your home, you could place an identical window on either side of your picture window to unify your exterior home design.
Your combination picture window is sure to be the focal point of your room design and of your home’s exterior, so it’s important to put some thought into your choice. If you need help deciding on the perfect window combination for your Michigan home, schedule a free, in-home consultation with Renewal by Andersen. Our skilled technicians will help you choose the style that’s best for you, and our estimates are always good for one year, giving you plenty of time to “think on it.”
Topics: Picture Window, Michigan home
