Should we change the window pane size?

10 years ago

We need to change our windows to double glazing. Since we have to have them custom made anyway, we have a chance to redesign the window panes. Should we preserve the multiple window pane look as is or should we increase the glass size to create a less cluttered look? Currently, each existing window pane is of the same size, no matter how different the window shape and size are. But we feel they might look too busy around the bay windows. On the other hand, we don't like big panels which are completely inconsistent with period homes. Any thoughts of how to divide up the windows?

Featured Answer

feeny

10 years ago

I LOVE your muntins just as they are. Don't change a thing. It is historically correct and visually interesting.

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Comments (31)

PRO
Muskoka Fine Creations
10 years ago
Definitely increase panel size to increase more glass. You have alot of windows which creates clutter. Better view, less clutter, easier to clean, etc. I would go with a 4 panel window.
PRO
Kirkarch
10 years ago
If you plan on replacing the windows with double hung windows I would keep the same muntin configuration or at the very least go with a 3 over 2 in each sash. I feel that this configuration is historically correct for this beautiful house. What you don't want to do is change the pane configuration so you get horizontal rectangles - this would look horrible. You want vertical rectangles or square glass panes. If you are replacing the double hung windows with casements than you can go make the panes a little larger and go with a 3 over 3 pattern.
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woofwoof
10 years ago
Well, you could go to 4 panes per window, son instead of having 16 panes in one double hung window, you'd only have 8. You'd still have the grids, but not as tight or busy. You could do the kind where just the top window has a single row of 4 small panes up at the top of the window and the bottom 2/3 is clear.....that's a very nice look you see a lot in Craftsman, of that style would work. But simply reducing the number of panes should help. Sierra Pacific makes a great product that is wood on the inside (which you can paint to any color or leave natural), aluminum clad (and powder coated to almost any color) on the outside......double pane, no damage from rain or weather on the outside. We have them in our house where we replaced all the windows a couple of years ago.
woofwoof
10 years ago
awesome house, by the way!
PRO
T. F. Draper Company
10 years ago
I agree with kirckarch. The style of your home needs to have the same style of windows. If you go with a more open glass you will lose some of the character of the house and will not look good on your home. architecturally i would not go with less than a 3/3 light.
Mary Ruth
10 years ago
Same style IF the other houses in your area are retaining the Historical look. If all are going more modern, then yours might look 'older' with the same mullions.
lkg1984
10 years ago
Oh, what a beautiful house!
Windows are so expensive -- with an investment that large, your salesperson should provide you with illustrations of your home using various styles of windows.
Are you getting sash replacements, or full windows? And they'll be wood, right?
PRO
Fenstermann LLC
10 years ago
I love the house! It looks historically correct you shouldn't change that. Just bring it up to date with dual glazed, wood windows. Our company Fenstermann has been involved with many historical projects, and can make your custom wood windows, no problem! Our German manufacturers actually match historical windows all of the time. Including Hotels, Museums, Churches, and more in Europe where the existing windows are 100-200 years old. Sometimes even older. If you want a price, and consultation, I would be more than happy to accommodate you.

You can email, or call:
david@fenstermann.com, 949-573-3380
www.fenstermann.com
Elizabeth DesMarais
10 years ago
NO. Makes the house!
PRO
Kristi Spouse Interiors
10 years ago
I thought you would like to see a similar look we completed remodeling last year. We looked at removing the muntin's completely or changing them. The house has a sweeping view and its not the most ideal home for a grand view. That said, in the end, we decided the view was ALMOST as good with the muntins as is - and resources were better spent on other changes. Instead we remodeled the front porch to give the house a more stately look and focused on the interior.
Lori Barber
10 years ago
I also had a similar dilema - it can completely change your perspective inside the house when you go to clear windows and remove the grids or panes. I have small rooms in a smaller house and now the rooms seem so much bigger and the outside space is a bigger part of the experience. This impact might not be important in a larger house with greater square footage. Initially I considered keeping my house's visual appearance consistent with the time period but in the end going in a new direction presented a much more positive outcome for me. If I was to make a compromise on the grids think of bigger spaces or grid windows on the side and open clear panels on the center sections. You may want to do other feature upgrades (consistent with the period of the home) to accentuate the windows such as window framing. Personally I think the small panes are busy looking and distracting. I think it would look lovely with a more "open" look and it would make for a more modern hip conversion which would be attractive to a younger buyer in the future.
PRO
Loribeth Clark
10 years ago
I would not change the window size. I think if you did, you'd lose some of the character and it would never look quite right.
feeny
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I also think that people who are attracted to older, historic houses usually like the historic details left intact (even if the materials are updated). Those who want modern, hip houses usually don't want historic ones anyway, whereas there are plenty of future buyers who will be attracted to the irreplaceable vintage character of your home. (I am speaking from the experience of having bought two historic houses and sold one)
Cheryl Fadden
10 years ago
Preserve the multiple window pane.
PRO
RA Design Group, LLC
10 years ago
PLEASE don't change them!
User
10 years ago
I would change to 6 over 1. it would still be in character for that age home, but look less cluttered!
PRO
Out of the Woods Inc.- Window & Door Specialists
10 years ago
I wouldn't change them. But if you did, make the bottom sash of the double hung one lite and keep the rest of the windows the same. Any other changes you start making the windows look more like a craftsman or prairie style and taking all the bars away would make it look too boring. Stay with the colonial patterns. Whoever you are working with on the windows should give you pictures.
Pamela Carlin
10 years ago
No, leave them alone! If they are original, leave them that way - that is the beauty of the home. Once you start changing things, the character goes away. Where is this home? Love it.
Kenneth Whitfield
10 years ago
Definitely leave them as is.
PRO
Laylaloou Furniture & Homr Frvot
10 years ago
I think it is lovely just as it is.
RosemaryR
10 years ago
Definitely keep them the same.
PRO
Susan Brook Interiors
10 years ago
What color windows are you thinking about replacing these with? Here is my input, the home is historically correct, balanced and visually strong. So many clients do not give window color a second thought and opt for white. I am just finishing an historic home and have the windows painted in Charleston Green (Duron color but Sherwin Williams have the colors under Historic Charleston Colors) If you are replacing with new style windows think about bronze as the exterior color, as well as disappearing the windows look fabulous. The mullions as we call them in England also disappear as they fade into the darkness of the glass.
marybyrne
10 years ago
What a lovely home, I would keep the windows the same.
Paul B. Showers
10 years ago
Changing the window lite configuration will alter the home forever. One consideration I don't think has been mentioned is the loss of true divided lites. Your muntins are three dimensional and if you go for grills between the glass your eye will glance across the distorted panes of glass. There are simulated divided lites that have applied grills on the outside, or even applied to the outside, between as well as in between. Your home is a magnificent shingle style home and this is a huge decision as well as expense. I really believe that you would be most satisfied maintaining the architectural integrity of the home. I believe that it is one of the things that attracted you to the home in the first place. Please consider maintaining the windows as closely as possible to the original. You would not miss the three dimensional element on the interior as much as you would on the exterior if there are budgetary considerations. I would also retain the white trim with a shingle style. You can change the color of the body of the house if you choose and have many options with the white trim in doing so. Lovely home, wishing you much happiness and good health there.
PRO
Crittall Windows Limited
10 years ago
I'm with pbsantiques here. Keeping the True Divided Lights is much important here than lite size. Using a Simulated Divided Lite will only work with top end construction using a solid welded (if steel like our windows) flat bar grid which is in front of the glass and will still visibly "split" the glass pane when viewing at an angle. Having a duplex type grid only between the panes means that any 'depth' of muntin bar will be lost with the suns reflection and the result just looks flat and characterless. The house then looks fake instead of truly period as it does now. Trust me as a UK window fanatic who has seen some UK buildings of 700 years old plus ruined forever by incorrect window choices. Stay with a TDL design. Reduce muntin bar sizes down to the minimum that will permit allowable insulating glass units to meet local Building Codes. Enjoy the view!
katecrawfordiii
10 years ago
Absolutely not, historically correct. Could consider adding an antique shutter as an accent to each window in just the right color to make each window pop
feeny
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Windows on the front are not the correct size for shutters. Don't tinker with the aesthetic details; it's lovely as it stands.
PRO
Coastal Group
10 years ago
Change the windows to more glass and less panes, and you'll have lost the whole house's character. Don't do it!
PRO
Brush Park Studio
10 years ago
I AGREE, Don't change the windows to more glass, it will completely remove the historic character!
oeohfppe
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Extraordinary home! I find the windows as they are, while busier than modern styles, amazingly evocative! I couldn't pass by without imagining the eras gone by and what might have gone on with its inhabitants. The windows are a strong part of that historical feel. Hope you decide on historically correct bits - otherwise everyone who passes by your home will moan about the destruction to its character and decry the character of someone who could do such a thing! :) LOL! Living in older homes requires some adjustments for modern people, but those who keep character are the champions of beauty we so rarely see on new builds. We had a beach house in Delaware when I was growing up, that even down to your colors, this reminds me of. I'm just smitten with your architecture!

Should we change the window pane size?

feeny

Comments (31)

Muskoka Fine Creations

Kirkarch

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