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Choosing the right window style for your home may seem daunting at first but it is worth careful consideration beforehand as windows have a big impact on the way your home looks and the way you live. With the development of more window styles, colours and finishes, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here, we help you to choose the right frames, type of window and glass to help you make the right choice.

PVCu, Aluminium or Lumi Frameless Windows?

PVCu windows

PVCu windows are a classic choice for most homes. Whether you have a traditional house, a modern build or a period property, PVCu windows are always a great consideration due to its long life span and a wide range of colours and finishes. Double glazing comes as standard, but some PVCu windows can now be supplied with triple glazing, which is ideal for homes exposed to extreme weather. Modern engineering techniques and multi-locking points mean that PVCu windows are secure for peace of mind – look out for the Secured by Design logo, a security scheme approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers, for any new or replacement window.

Aluminium windows

Aluminium windows are increasing in popularity due to their modern, sleek appearance with slimline, unobtrusive frames. They are often used in new build properties but are popular as replacement windows in a range of property types and can add a contemporary twist that quickly updates the overall visual appeal of your home. Aluminium windows are available in any colour, as well as a range of styles, giving you full design flexibility with high thermal efficiency and all the security you would expect from a modern window. They are lightweight, so suitable for even the biggest window, long-lasting and resistant to corrosion. If you want something different to PVCu, it is worth looking at aluminium windows as a contemporary alternative.

Lumi frameless windows

Lumi frameless windows may be new to you but they are the latest in cutting edge design and technology. From the outside, the window seems to be frameless. This is because the clever design means the frame is placed in between the panes of glass, giving a ‘Grand Designs’ look to your home and providing a feeling of open space and light, perfect for new builds and modern extensions. They come with triple glazing as standard, making them excellent for reducing noise levels, as well as being able to withstand the worst of the Derbyshire weather.

Window Styles

Other considerations you need to think about are the different type of window styles that are available. There are several styles to choose from and you can then look at coloured glass, shaped windows and hardware in order to achieve the look that you want.

Casement windows

Casement windows are a classic choice in many homes and suit most property types. They are hinged on one side and have multi-locking points. The most popular choice is PVCu casement windows which are low maintenance and weather-resistant, but you can choose other frame materials depending on what best suits your home.

Tilt and Turn windows

Tilt and turn windows are not just stylish but offer dual purpose by either tilting inwards from the top or opening fully from the side. They are ideal if you need ventilation but have little space outside the room, or for high-rise living where child safety is a consideration. At the same time, they don’t compromise on either energy efficiency or the design aspect of your home.

Bay and Bow windows

Bay and bow windows add immediate charm to any period property but are often seen on modern houses too. This window style can add kerb appeal to most homes and give a feeling of space inside the room. They maximise the amount of light that enters the room by the increased number of glass panes used, without compromising on any security features that you would expect. They also give a feeling of extra space. Bay and bow windows are popular amongst the 1930s properties in and around Derby, some of which also feature oriel windows.

Sliding sash windows

Sliding sash windows are perfect for heritage properties, listed buildings or even conservation areas (please check with your conservation officer). Old timber sliding sash windows have a reputation for being cold and draughty, but replacing them with modern PVCu frames ensures you can keep the character of your home while improving energy efficiency and security of your windows. Woodgrain effects and colours mean they can be seamlessly integrated into even the oldest period properties.

Obscured, Patterned and Decorative Glass

Once you have decided on the window style that best suits you, it’s time to think about the glass options. There is a range of design styles that you might want to consider such as:

Obscured glass

This is often used when privacy is a consideration such as in a bathroom window, for example. Patterns on the glass give it a textured appearance, offering privacy in areas where it is needed. It can also be useful if you have a loft conservation or extension and you need to restrict your view to follow planning regulations.

Decorative glass

This is often used purely as a design feature, but special sandblasted effects can also act at obscured glass for privacy, without the cost of sandblasting! Patterned or decorative glass is ideal if you want to improve the visual appeal of your home without replacing full window frames, as individual panes can be taken out and replaced. There are almost unlimited design opportunities with this type of glass. You can come to us with your own design ideas or we can help you to create something completely unique to your home – just ask us.

Beveled and stained glass

Beveled panes can create the look of stained glass and, when used well, can create dramatic colour effects inside your home, while being both subtle and stylish. This type of glass is often used in top lights in traditional properties but can add a twist to most types of homes.

Georgian bars

These can be used in almost any type of window style to add a period feel to your home by adding a white or coloured bar in between the glass panes to create the look of smaller panes of glass. Georgian bars add a little extra to a traditional home and can be used to great effect.

Now we have talked about frame materials, window styles and types of glass, it is worth asking yourself a few questions to decide which style best suits you.

What is the style of your home?

Think about the architecture and age of your house. Some houses naturally lean towards certain window styles, such as sash windows in Georgian properties and Lumi windows in modern properties, but you would be surprised to see how different window styles and colours work in a range of property types. A rule of thumb is that light coloured frames suit stone-colour houses, but why not consider whites, greys or metallics in a traditional red brick or dark colour homes?

Look around you

Take a look at houses on your street or in similar areas. What kind of windows do they have that you may not have considered. Look at what works from a design point of view – and what doesn’t!

Think about light, dark and the view

Where does the sun fall during different times of day? Do you have a dark room that needs more light? In which case a new window that enlarges the space and lets in more light might be worth the investment. Slimmer frames can also maximise the light that enters a room, and the Lumi frameless windows are the ultimate in making the most of daylight and the view. For privacy, look at textured or obscured glass, and don’t forget this can also be used in internal glazing in hallways, for example.

Does the window need to open?

Getting ventilation into a house is important, but you may not need opening windows everywhere. Larger panes of glass may be better as fixed panels, but think about what can be opened, how much space you have outside to open a window and that will help you decide on your window style.

Matching existing décor

Most modern window styles can have a different colour on the inside to the outside so you can choose a particular colour frame to suit the look of your home on the outside, but a different colour on the inside to match your existing decoration. Thinking about what rooms you use the most, where you sit and what view you look out on also influences the window style that will work best for you.

You can give your home a whole house transformation with a new front door, a conservatory or extension, or widespan doors.

We can help!

Choosing new or replacement windows may seem like a daunting job but our experts are here to guide you through the process. For help and advice, please call our team on 01332 755551 or why not make an appointment to visit our home improvement showroom. You can also like us on Facebook to see our work and how we can transform your home.