Home interior featuring black Marvin Replacement special shape windows overlooking a lake.

4 September 2024

Choosing the Right Style of Windows for Your Home

There’s a lot to consider with window styles when you’re shopping for replacement windows. The right window style makes a difference for your home. The type of window and design should complement your home while adding curb appeal. Not sure where to start? Marvin Replacement can help, here’s what to think about with window styles.

Interior view of an arch window in a dining room.

Which Window Style is Right for Your House?

Coordinating your windows with your home is one aspect to consider. The type of window you want makes a difference, too. Windows have different functions and looks. You can also accent them with design features, like window grilles for extra appeal.

Common types of replacement windows include:

Bedroom interior with white double hung windows and view of a city street.

Popular Window Styles

You can style windows to suit your home through design options. Whether you have a contemporary style home, traditional, craftsman, farmhouse or modern farmhouse style home, you have options with Marvin Replacement windows.

Special shape windows in a living room with an EverWood finish.

Contemporary Home Windows

Contemporary style homes like to feature expansive viewing spaces with windows to allow swathes of daylight to fill a space. They can feature several styles of windows, like casement windows for unobstructed views, and window combinations to achieve the look. Contemporary homes favor simplicity with their window design. Neutral colors and natural textures can fill the interior. With our EverWood® interior window finish you can have the look of large natural wood windows. The finish blends with the outdoor scenes you see through large living room windows.

Interior view of two side-by-side white bedroom double hung windows.

Traditional Windows

Double hung windows are often considered traditional windows. They often appear in traditional style homes. Double hung windows are classic window styles for historic homes. You can add features like window grids to accentuate traditional features. Farmhouse and bungalow homes use double hung windows for classic looks. You can also find casement windows throughout traditional homes, especially Tudor style houses.

Neutral window colors work best for traditional style homes. Traditional homes have used wood windows through the years. With Marvin Replacement you can get the look of wood windows with our EverWood® interior finish on our Ultrex® fiberglass windows. The finish mimics wood grain looks but without the maintenance of wood windows.

Interior view of Marvin Replacement double hung windows with EverWood finish and Prairie window grilles.

Craftsman Style Windows

Craftsman style windows are often single hung or double hung windows with vertical grilles on the upper sash. The vertical grilles pay homage to prairie style homes, which featured the window design. They usually don’t have horizontal grilles, like you’ll see in cottage or colonial homes.

Farmhouse Style Windows

Farmhouse style windows include double hung windows that are often taller than they are wider. They can feature geometric window grid designs for balance. Farmhouse window colors tend to take on earth tones, like whites, browns, and greens. Farmhouse homes can also have casement, awning, and transom windows.

Interior view of white Marvin Replacement special shape windows.

Custom Windows

Custom windows allow you ample design flexibility. Special shape windows can fit contemporary style homes that feature sharp angles. You can also choose custom-built picture windows to fit unique spaces for illuminating views. Custom picture windows can create floor-to-ceiling window looks where you can enjoy the benefits of daylight in your home.

Why it’s Important to Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style When Choosing Windows

Your home’s architectural style is important when choosing window styles. Certain types of windows fit homes better than others. Taller double hung and casement windows fit traditional homes better than wider awning windows. Traditional homes often have dormer windows and they’re usually double hung windows. Slider windows can fit rambler homes well. They can stretch wide, like in the case of a triple sash slider window. Spanish and Mediterranean designs feature curved architecture, making bow windows ideal. You can view home styles with lots of windows to get an idea of what will fit your home well.

A Marvin Replacement design consultant talks with a middle aged couple about window and patio door design options in a living room.

How to Choose a Window Type

Choosing a window type involves several considerations. You want a window style that fits your home’s aesthetic, and one that has energy efficiency, natural light, and ventilation benefits. Depending on the space, you might want to consider privacy glass options, too.

Architectural Style

The architectural style of your home can influence your window style decision. Double hung windows match traditional architectural home styles well. Casement, awning, and special shape windows can suit contemporary style homes better than double hung windows. They offer uninterrupted viewing areas.

Budget

Replacement window costs vary based on the number and types of windows you’re replacing. Having a budget in mind can help you determine the type of windows you choose. It can also determine how many windows you replace.

Energy Efficiency

Your windows play a critical role in your home’s energy efficiency. Selecting energy efficient windows can help. Low-E coatings can help reflect solar heat back out to help your home stay cool. The coatings can also allow solar heat to pass through to help warm a room in cooler months. The right coatings for your climate can make a difference.

Ventilation

A lack of ventilation or a different type of ventilation can lead you to different styles of windows. Windows can provide ventilation in different ways. With a double hung window you can lower the upper sash to allow warm air to escape. You can open the lower sash at the same time to invite cool air into your home. A casement window can capture cross breezes to usher them into your home. An awning window allows you to keep a window open during light rains so you can enjoy the aroma the rain brings. Marvin Replacement can help you find the best windows to improve air circulation, too.

Window Look

When the picking the right window style for your home, it’s important to consider the look of the window. That can mean the right window color and design accents, like window grids. Your window color should complement your home’s color scheme. Adding simulated divided lites, or window grilles, can continue symmetrical looks.

Natural Light

Windows add natural light to your home. You should also consider window size when thinking about natural light. Bigger windows, like bay, bow, or picture windows can make spaces feel open and airy. They’re some of the best living room window ideas. You’ll want to size them proportional to the size of your living room. The direction the room faces matters, too. South-facing rooms receive more sunlight than rooms facing other directions.

Window Privacy

Decorative glass is an option for rooms where you want privacy and still want natural light. You can choose one of our six decorative glass options for spaces like bathrooms where you want to obscure views and allow sunlight.

Interior view of living room picture windows with black window grilles.

Energy Efficient Windows

Energy efficient windows have properties to guard against heat transfer. Things like the window frame material, glass coating, and multiple panes of glass all impact the energy efficiency of a window.

Glazing

Glazing, or the number of glass panes a window has, creates barriers to reduce heat transfer. Marvin Replacement windows come double paned with an insulating, non-toxic inert gas between the panes. The gas has more density than air to help insulate the space and reduce thermal transfer.

Low-E Coatings

Marvin Replacement has four Low-E glass coating options to help with solar heat. Choosing a Low-E coating depends on your climate. Some coatings allow more solar heat to pass, making them suited for colder climates. Marvin Replacement can help you find the best windows for your climate.

Frame Material

The material used to construct window frames matters. Window frame materials have different thermal conductivity. Materials like, aluminum can transfer heat. Others, like our Ultrex fiberglass has low thermal conductivity. The material helps keep your home comfortable throughout the year.

U-Factor

U-Factor measures how quick a window transfers heat. A lower U-Factor means reduced heat transfer and better insulation. Window labels display U-Factor information. You can consult the ENERGY STAR® Climate Zone Finder for recommended U-Factors.

ENERGY STAR Certification

ENERGY STAR-certified windows meet a set of criteria to show their energy efficiency. You can save between $101 and $583 a year on average when you replace single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR-certified windows.* ENERGY STAR-certified windows have met U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rating standards for a specific climate zone. The blue ENERGY STAR sticker helps you identify energy efficient windows.

Sealing and Weatherstripping

Sealing and weatherstripping help make windows energy efficient. Caulk and weatherstripping can help reduce air leakage through windows. Air leakage makes your home less energy efficient by allowing cool air to escape from your home in warmer months. Leaky windows can also allow warm air to pass through your windows in colder months.

Man with a beard installs a window from the exterior of a home.

When to Replace Your Windows

When to replace windows can come down to several scenarios. Most people replace damaged windows and windows that no longer open and close with ease. If you notice drafty windows, it can mean time for new windows. Energy inefficient windows can lead to higher heating and cooling bills. Replacing them with new windows can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. Window condensation can also signal the need for new windows in some instances. If you’re planning on remodeling your home, it’s a good time to consider replacing your windows. If you have outdated windows, a window refresh can make your home feel new again. Marvin Replacement can help check your windows and review design options with you.

FAQs

Which type of windows are best for a home?

The best types of windows for a home are those that complement a home’s architectural style and have energy efficient properties. That can mean windows made of a durable material, like Ultrex fiberglass. They can also feature dual panes of glass, an insulating gas fill, and include glass coatings suited for your climate.

What style of windows are most popular?

Double hung windows are the most popular window style. They allow ample ventilation because both sash open. An opened top sash allows warm air to move out of a room while an opened lower sash ushers in cool air. You can also add features like simulated divided lites to reflect traditional window style to match historic homes.

How do a I choose a window style?

You can choose a window style based on your home’s architecture. Window styles match architectural designs. You can also base your window style decision on how the window operates. You can prefer a casement or an awning window in places where it’s difficult to reach to open a window. The crank handle of a casement and awning window makes it easier to open. You can also decide on a window style based on how it looks. Casement and awning windows have clear, uninterrupted views. Double hung windows have a check rail that divides your window viewing area. Choosing a window style can mean thinking about its energy efficiency. Different window materials have varying energy efficiency.

What are the most energy efficient windows styles?

Direct glazed, or picture windows, are considered the most energy efficient window style because they don’t open. That means they’re not as susceptible to air leaks as other windows. Casement and awning windows are also among the most energy efficient window style. They have a latch lock that secures a sash tight against a frame.

*Savings reflects installing ENERGY STAR certified products compared to non-certified when replacing single pane windows based on the average savings among homes in modeled cities. Actual savings will vary by product type, location, method of installation, individual home characteristics, local climate and conditions, utility rates and other factors.

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