When it comes to windows, homeowners today are looking for both style and efficiency. Windows need to blend in with the home’s overall feel and colour palette while providing the specific light and air flow needs of each room. Consumers want more than just a good window that brings light in.
Today’s windows fit the bill with larger windows bridging the gap between inside and out, framed minimally in the very popular darker colour palette of browns and black.
Whether you’re building from the ground up or replacing energy-inefficient windows in an older home, your options are greater than ever. And if you’re in need of an experienced, easy-to-work-with contractor with integrity, look no further than D4 Construction in Kamloops. Mike and his team are ready to consult with you on your home’s needs. Call them at +1 250-572-4812.
When it comes to window aesthetics, consider the overall style of your home. Sleek windows without grids, sills or trim are suited for a modern home. Black and darker tones in general are desirable, with aluminum frames that are often narrow and simple.
In wood-framed windows, warmer wood and gray tones are being used more than ever before. 
When you coordinate or match the hardware on your windows and doors within the home – hinges, handles and knobs – you create a consistent and intentional style choice which knits the details of your home together.
Grids or grilles are offered by most manufacturers of windows. If you prefer an easy maintenance French door, for example, you can opt for the grids that come pre-installed between the panes. You can also get windows and transoms with the grids tucked between the sheets of glass, as well. To maintain them, you simply wipe the glass. No more dealing with corners and the individual, smaller panes.
Muntins and mullions, essentially divider pieces in a window, are often missing in a contemporary style window choice. Floor to ceiling windows are becoming more commonplace, with homeowners looking to feel connected to the outdoors while inside. Wraparound corner windows are becoming more popular and provide a modern touch to the home allowing for sweeping views. Multi-panel sliding glass doors are adopting the same minimal frames to make the connection to the outdoors practically seamless and to blend with the home’s windows.
Transoms – sometimes referred to as eyebrows because of their placement over doorways and larger windows – often remain fixed but there are some that will open and close. They are chosen as much for bringing in additional light as they are for the style statement they make.
Casement windows open outward using a crank-style handle, allowing for good air flow, and 
might be a good choice for people who cook a great deal indoors. These windows close tightly, providing a tight seal that guards against high winds. Casement windows are a good choice for those who live in coastal or other areas where windy conditions are common.
Single and double-hung windows are commonly seen in older homes but are often chosen for newer homes in the Cape Cod, Colonial, Victorian, Farmhouse and Tudor architectural styles. In single-hung windows, the top pane remains fixed while the bottom one opens and closes. In double-hung, both panes are operable. Victorian homes often included diamond-shaped patterns in the top panes of single-hung windows. Craftsman-style homes are often recognized by a window which has been vertically divided into a few panes installed above one larger window or windows. Both single- and double-hung windows can be an excellent choice for homeowners.
Triple pane windows commonly manufactured in Canada today are costlier than double-pane windows. But for many, the higher price tag is well worth it. The additional low-emissivity (Low E) in the third pane of glass adds an additional buffer from extreme temperatures, as well as the benefit of reduced noise and condensation as compared to double-pane windows.
Picture windows – large, fixed pane windows – are used across all styles of homes and often are very large. Like other windows, when fitted with quality glass, picture windows are desirable because of their ability to provide more light with large, uninterrupted views to the outside world. Some higher-end homes even incorporate window walls which provide little obstruction to views of the outdoors. Fixed pane windows such as these can be manufactured larger than ones that have open-and-close functionality due to the added weight that involves, and contractors find they are building more homes today incorporating these larger panes of glass.
Bay and bow windows extend outward from the exterior of the house, creating a natural nook on the inside. Window seats – timeless elements that many enjoy – are a perfect use of that created space indoors. These windows tend to cost more due to the custom building required to accommodate their shapes but are visually appealing to many in traditional-style homes.
Awning windows push from the bottom outward creating an awning on the outside that protects the home from rain. These are often chosen for use in wetter climates. Opening in exactly the opposite way, with the window opening inward from the top, hopper windows are often installed in bathrooms and other smaller spaces and provide insulation against wind because of the tight closure available with the crank-style handle.
There are actually other window types available to the homeowner today. Skylights (fixed windows that do not open) are flush with the roof similar to sunroofs commonly found in cars, except car sunroofs do open.
Jalousie windows are designed from many horizontal panes of glass and metal which obscure the view
entirely when closed.
Besides offering an additional light source to a room, egress windows are installed (and often required by law) to provide an escape route in an emergency. Often seen from the outside near ground level, indoors they often appear near the top of basement walls.
Be sure to return here again next month. We’ll finish up the topic of windows by talking about framing materials to choose from and other considerations as you plan to replace your old – or install brand new – windows in your home.
Remember, if you haven’t already, give Mike of D4 Construction a call. Mike is highly experienced and knowledgeable with all aspects of home building including windows. He is highly trusted with the renovation of older homes as well as the building of new homes. You can reach Mike at +1 250-572-4812.