Windows are a big feature of any house — both on the exterior and the interior. But many people take them for granted, often using stock placement or existing window locations as a rule. But proper window placement can open up a room, make it more or less functional, and change the temperature radically. To help you find just the right spot for your windows, here are four factors to consider.
Think About the Indoors
Don't forget that you'll spend a lot of time on the inside of the house looking at the windows from this vantage point. So, the first thing you may consider is what you'll see when looking through the window. Does it open up onto your neighbor's back porch? Is it facing a busy street where cars and pedestrians can see inside? Will windows prevent use of the television or gaming system?
Think About the Outside
Think about the visual appearance of windows from the outside. What is the original architectural style of the home? Does it favor large, open panes of glass or several smaller windows with individual sash? If you place windows at certain locations within the floor plan, will they appear uneven or stilted from the exterior? If possible, use a drawing or rendering of the exterior before choosing physical placement.
Think About the Sunlight
How much natural shade and sunlight will your placement receive? Lots of windows and glass patio doors can heat up a room if they receive full sunlight for most of the day. Instead, you may want to make use of natural shade elements, such as trees, hardscape overhangs, and even the shade from the house's structure itself. If you get cold winters, though, make sure that overhead coverage can be reduced to help warm up the room.
Think About the Purpose
Finally, what do you want your windows to accomplish? Are you more interested in adhering to the architectural style or in taking advantage of an awesome view outside? Do you need to make the room seem larger — such as by using picture windows without extra detail — or do you just need to break up a long expanse of boring wall? The way you want to use the window will help you find the right style, size, and shape.
There's clearly more to window placement than most people realize. And while it may take some time to find the right locations and sizes, the result will be clearly visible for years to come. Start your journey today by meeting with a qualified window installation service in your area.
Share8 August 2018
After I started focusing seriously on making my home look and feel brand new, it occurred to me that I needed to do something to make things even better. I started working with a team of remodeling contractors, and although I didn't always understand their decisions, it became apparent pretty quickly that they understood what they were doing. They worked with us each and every day to make things right, and I was really impressed with their level of professionalism. Check out this blog for great information on understanding remodeling decisions each and every time you complete a new project.
