The Difference Between Window Mullions and Window Muntins

Muntins and mullions are window terms that are often confused by many homeowners. Your modern windows may have both muntins and mullions on them, whether in real or replicated form. Understanding the difference can help you determine which is best for your home and its style.

Window Muntins vs. Mullions

Muntins are the vertical shafts existing between panes of glass in a traditional multi-pane glass composition. Alternatively, mullions are the vertical props used between windows or larger panes to provide additional support and separation.

Read more about their differences below.

Window Muntins

Window muntins are the supporting strips between window panes. Although frequently associated with windows, they can appear on any type of furniture as wooden panels. On windows, they are often grids or vertical barriers that separate glass windows into individual panes. 

Early builders utilized muntins because they were structurally critical. The outer walls of older buildings could not carry the weight when installing large-sized windows in the walls. Today, muntins serve only aesthetic purposes, allowing you to personalize your home’s design further.

Are Muntins or Window Grids Out of Style?

Muntins are very popular across various home styles and trends. These features help bring depth and character to your home’s facade.

Muntins and window grids can come in several colors and materials, helping them better match your home’s appearance. Further, you can elect for snap-on muntins, giving your windows the appearance of grids without separating your glass into various panes.

The Benefits of Window Muntins

Muntins offer several benefits to homeowners looking to replace or refresh their window fixtures. Some benefits of window grids and muntins include:

• Cleaning windows efficiently: Because muntins separate your windows into smaller sections, they simplify the cleaning process. Easier and more efficient cleaning can provide quality results, so you can better enjoy your home’s view.
• Creating a traditional appearance: Muntins were invented to support heavy glass, but modern window technology has enabled businesses and designers to move away from this function. Now, muntins allow homeowners to improve their homes’ appearance. While you can cater to many designs with muntins, you can use their historical feel to bring a more traditional and older look to your home.
• Making windows look taller: Muntins and grids can create visual illusions that make your windows and spaces look bigger than they are. While these features can come in various shapes, vertical lines draw attention upward and make windows look taller. You can use muntins when you want to make your rooms or home’s facade look bigger.

Window Mullions

Like muntins, mullions also act as supporting devices. Mullions are the vertical strips that separate two sides of a single window replacement unit. Before the Victorian era, it was nearly impossible to manufacture large pieces of glass. Instead, people could create larger expanses of windows by holding smaller panes of glass together with these supporting bars.

Muntin vs. Mullion

Fundamentally, muntins are the vertical shafts of wood separating panes of glass in a traditional multi-pane glass composition. Mullions, on the other hand, are the single vertical props used in two-pane assemblies.

Are Mullions Out of Style?

Like muntins, mullions are very common, even if modern technology can support windows without them. People love the visual appeal of mullions and how they break up spaces. They also offer several functional options that can increase your window’s capabilities. You can find them in many colors to match your home’s appearance.

Mullions are very common in modern home designs to separate and support large windows. Because modern designs often use big, open spaces, mullions help add to the straightforward, minimalist design with clean lines associated with the style.

The Benefits of Mullions

Mullions are excellent design choices that can bring more character to your home and windows. These fixtures offer a few other benefits, including:

• Making windows look taller: Because mullions are long and vertical, they help make windows appear even bigger and taller than they are. While you can use this to make modern settings look more spacious, they are great for all spaces.
• Separating mobile and stationary windows: Mullions are excellent visual features, but they also have functional benefits. When you have sliding windows or other mobile features, mullions can help separate the components that move from those that do not.
• Adding depth and strength to windows: Mullions help set windows deeper into walls and facades, and the raised components can stick out. These physical features of mullions can help protect your windows from rough winds and storms by decreasing their impact on the glass.

Replace Your Home’s Windows With Renewal By Andersen

Renewal By Andersen offers quality energy-efficient replacement windows, whether traditional or specialty windows. Through industry-leading products and expert installation skills, we dedicate ourselves to creating an environment that is cozier and more pleasant for you and your family.

Contact us today or find a location near you to get started with refreshing your home through window replacements. Our team is committed to providing a cozier and more pleasant living space for you and your family through industry-leading products and expert installation skills. Call us today at 866-609-5033 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment.