Window Design Ideas for Modern & Classic Houses

Modern and contemporary houses usually feature large windows with maximum area of glass. As glass technology has advanced over the last forty years, flooding a property with light has become more popular. Floor to ceiling windows and glass sliding doors and windows are the signature of the modern house design.

To continue the contemporary appearance, modern window design frames have a sleek and thin profile surrounding the expanse of glass. Usually made from aluminium, the frame is unobtrusive and minimal with clean lines.

Dark grey or black are the most popular choice to offer a contemporary look to a modern property and the colour you are most likely to see used on a modernist design.

The modern window design is usually a large picture window (without opening), or a sliding window.

A tilt and turn window can achieve the same effect of a large area of glass with unobstructed views and are usually fitted to new builds.

To finish the look of your modern windows, add minimal hardware to retain the sleek styling.

The design of the window is integral to the character of the house. When choosing a window design for a period property or a traditional style of home, the architectural style of the house should be taken into consideration and be sympathetic to the age of the house.

Victorian and Georgian properties usually feature timber sash windows. A Georgian window will comprise eight-over-eight panes of glass configuration or a six-over-six. Victorian windows can be a single pane or two-over-two.

Most properties in London and many city centres in the UK feature timber sash windows (if the originals haven’t been replaced) and this style is most suited to the buildings in those areas.

Changing a period wooden sash window to a uPVC tilt and turn can actually devalue a property. Sash windows are not the cheapest option, but reconditioning or replacing them on a period home is strongly advised.

Cottages and rural properties usually have casement windows (the oldest style of window frame).

Old stone properties best suit side-hung casement style windows. The choice of colour would depend on the colour of stone and the location. Country properties suit greens, light greys and muted shades, whereas coastal properties opt for stronger blues and pastels.

Cottage window designs feature glazing bars that make the windows look assembled from small panes of glass. This style does make the area of the window look smaller, but offers a real authentic cottage window feel.

Traditional houses suit timber frames best. This isn’t the most affordable option, so you can consider a wood grain uPVC as an alternative for some properties.

uPVC window frames are low maintenance and the most affordable option of windows which has contributed to them becoming the most popular types of material for window design.

uPVC has advanced considerably since the early double glazing of the eighties and modern quality frames don’t fade or become discoloured. They also benefit from being very secure with multi-point locking systems.

The most common uPVC window designs are tilt and turn or a casement style, but uPVC can be used for sash and sliding windows.

The most versatile of windows, uPVC comes in a wide range of colours and finishes. A wood grain effect is an alternative to the modern sleek finish and can look authentic enough for period properties.

uPVC window designs are wide and varied, with an option to suit almost any style of property.

Bay windows protrude from the face of the wall to give extended views to both sides of a property.

The bay window design was created as an ornamental feature, but they do have a practical side. By opening windows on both sides of the bay, they allow more ventilation into a room. They also flood light into a room and make a room look much more spacious.

Many Victorian and Edwardian houses have bay windows as a focal point of the living room. Houses at the coast also use bay windows to take advantage of panoramic views.

Most Victorian bay windows were originally sash single pane windows. Many of these were ripped out in the eighties and replaced with double glazing seen as more efficient for heating.

If you are fortunate to have the original sash windows, you can have them restored with a double glazed sash to keep the character of the house.

Modern bay windows on new build houses would usually feature a central large picture window with side casements windows that open are the best configuration.