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Replacing Ugly Upstairs Windows – need Curb Appeal Help!

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I am delighted to be replacing the original windows in our loft
- but I am stumped in choosing a window
style that will best tie in with the rest of the front of the house.

The windows on the first story, as you can see, have issues. The small window must have been added after
the bedroom windows. It’s not the same
brand/kind of window, and its grids don’t really match the bedroom windows, which
makes me crazy…but, back to upstairs!

As you can see from the picture, in the loft I have three
58x17.5 windows, as well as one smaller 22x17.5 that are on the front of the
house. Originally I was thinking awning
style with no grids, but now I’m worried that no grids/awning may be too ‘stark’
and could make for a noticeably incohesive look. At the same time, I fear attempting grids will
introduce yet more rectangles with different dimension to the front of the
house that could be a bummer as well.
Do I go for sliding windows (similar to what is there now) without grids?
is that the best look I can hope for? Any advice?

In other matters, saying goodbye to the shutters will be a
long dreamed-about moment. I’m thinking
we’ll frame the windows in the same simple manner the downstairs windows are
framed, but ideas welcome on this front as well! Thank you!

Front of House Pictures

Featured Answer

palimpsest

7 years ago

I'd say awning, no grids. Framed like downstairs.

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Comments (12)

junco East Georgia zone 8a
7 years ago
I think it looks fine now with no grids, so you don't need to add them. I'm not sure how awning windows would look as opposed to sliders. I think losing the shutters will be an improvement. Good luck!
mbc12 thanked junco East Georgia zone 8a
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voila
7 years ago
Agree, awning style, no grids, no shutters.
mbc12 thanked voila
ajuju
7 years ago
Me too. Awning windows with new trim to match downstairs will be a great improvement.
mbc12 thanked ajuju
practigal
7 years ago
While I love the idea of awning windows I don't think that you can put screens on them... Which means that if you open them, you would be letting the bugs in and when they are closed the birds may fly into them because they can only see the screen, not the window. If I invested in new windows I would want to get maximum functionality out of them. So they would be double paned at least for heat/cold insulation and a triple paned if sound is an issue. You may want to invest in double hung windows as opposed to sliders. Personally, I like the windows where you can release one side of the window and it tilts into the room for easy cleaning.
Olychick
7 years ago
My awning windows have the screens on the interior and the windows crank outward.
deegw
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I think the difference to your curb appeal between sliding windows and awning windows will be negligible. The sliding windows will have a thin vertical trim piece in the middle and will be slightly more visible open or closed. The awnings will be more noticeable when open. I would decide which mechanics you like best and choose your windows based on that.

Edited to add - Your house already has great curb appeal!
grapefruit1_ar
7 years ago
I agree with d_gw.....! It really won't matter. Your home is lovely!
robo (z6a)
7 years ago
I also have a screen on my awning window, no problems and the screen stays cleaner! LOVE awning windows now!
practigal
7 years ago
Interesting. Some questions: Would you need to know how to get the screen out of the way in a fire? Does the window open wide enough to easily exit? If the window is kept open a lot does it get dirty faster than other windows because it is somewhat horizontal?
palimpsest
7 years ago
I don't think the openings are large enough for egress even if you used European hopper twist and turn windows.
mbc12
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you for all the fabulous feedback everyone...I'm off to order awning/no grid!

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