Window Sash Replacement

When replacing old windows with a new window sash replacement, a big selling point and advantage that really convinces some people is window cleaning. Window cleaning is much easier with snap-in, snap-out grills.

But do you clean your windows so frequently that you’re willing to sacrifice curb appeal? Wood replacement windows with true divided light window sashes are available. Few people will spend the extra money for this better window appearance. Few people are able to recognize the difference!

One very important thing to keep in mind are the window muntins. The profile and style fo the muntins are dependent on the period and style of your house. Even with a good wood replacement window, muntins should not be a one size fits all.

Window Muntins Shape and Proportion

Another problem with ALL replacement windows styles is the size and shape of the window grids or window lights. All window lights should be vertically proportioned and, on special occasion, square. They, as in all architectural features, resemble the human form. This is pleasing to your subconscious mind. Learn more about aesthetics here.

Aesthetically, you should never have horizontal panes, although during the Arts & Crafts period, this style of architecture tended to veer away at times from the traditional vertical window style and then again with Ranch houses.

So basically window designs should be vertical rectangles – no squares or horizontal shapes.

There is a hierarchy of windows most notable on Colonial Revival architecture where the 2nd floor windows will be a bit smaller than that of the main floor. In this case, the smaller windows upstairs should have the same size window lights but fewer of them. An alternative is the window lights can be proportionally smaller than the window lights in the larger windows on the first floor. One option usually works better than the other depending on your windows.

Keep window designs on your house to just a few similar proportions not styles. Here are some mistakes you should learn to recognize.

Window Muntins Case Study:

The set of windows on the left do not match with those on the right. They must match or the house looks weird.

Why don’t these window designs match?

First – This house was tampered with by enclosing the porch and installing windows to fit a certain sized opening that was not originally designed to have windows.

2nd – Although the windows appear similar in size – they are not. It’s difficult to match different sized windows with “off the rack” replacement windows.

The windows on the left are six-over-one and the windows on the right are four-over one window designs. Notice in the left group of windows, the upper window sashes have vertical lights. This is a good window design.

In the right bank of windows, the upper window sashes have square lights. Square for this house is very very very wrong. Wrong because they are square AND wrong because they don’t match the other windows.

Never have a four-over-anything window designs!

One way to fix this problem is to make all windows a one-over-one window configuration. Another option is to make them all two-over-one however there is still a chance the window mistake will be noticed when the size is reduced. In other words, larger window lights like one-over-one are more forgiving with different size windows than four or six-over one.

Of course the windows can also be six-over-one to match. The proportions would just be reduced in size. This may have to be a custom made window but it’s what you need to do to make the house work. That’s the cost of messing around with something that should be left alone.

As you see above matching windows work much better. These windows were corrected graphically – we can do this for your house too .

Another problem is the size of the window casing – too narrow and picture framed. No drip cap or window sill either. There needs to be a cap and a base! Remember we discussed this above? Surprise – this house was designed by an architect! Read the full story here. House Restoration or Remuddle?

The McMansion – famous for poor architecture, boasts a mish-mosh of types, sizes, and styles of windows unrelated to each other or the architecture of the building.

McMansion Wikipedia definition: …mix multiple architectural styles and elements…multiple roof lines, unnecessarily complicated massing…producing a displeasingly jumbled appearance. The builder may have attempted to achieve expensive effects with cheap materials, skimped on details, or hidden defects with cladding… Sold to “parvenu” – those having new money but lack the necessary refinement. The definition of parvenu on Wikipedia references Molly Brown survivor of the Titanic – who went from rags to riches overnight. (See the movie “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” starring Debbie Reynolds).

This upsetting rhythm in the house above causes you to leave with confusion and think that a lot of money was spent (but really foolishly wasted) so it has to be good!

Yes there are a lot of cool window styles out there but that doesn’t mean that the architect needs to choose one of each window style in the catalog!

A decision needs to be made and followed through on to maintain a cohesive relationship.

Window lights consist of a few different vertical lights not proportional to each other, horizontal, and square. This confusion impresses viewers at first for they don’t know where to look first.

Here are some examples to help you recognize the good from the bad window designs.