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Windows Before & After Design Dilemma

Window Woes - 4 years in & still can’t decide

4 years ago

We purchased this home four years ago and over this time have begun make it our own. We have replaced all but one window at the front of our home. This one window, located on the second floor directly above the front door, has been a point of discussion in our home; what to do? Should we simply replace the window and add grills similar to the rest on second floor? Or a window with grills similar to those on the first floor? Or add a French door with grills and Juliet balcony? Or an idea we haven’t even thought of!? On another note, the centre of the front of our home has been a bit of an eye sore for me. The pillars are not my favourite but have learned to like them. Maybe it’s the small window in the peak, needs to be larger? Pictures show before and current state.
We are grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

RL Relocation LLC

4 years ago

One big problem that I see and why it may look off are the shutters. they are MUCH too small on the lower windows, and the window over the door. The question about the window itself, I would not do a Juliet balcony,The current roof line doesn't permit. I would match it to the windows that are next to it, not the ones below it. But the biggest question is, what is the windows function? is it a room or at the top of the stair case? It's the only room with the blinds closed. The window at the peak, does it need to even exist? Could it be a vent instead? You could do a half moon shape window there.Could you loose the siding there and go with a smooth surface? I would nix the shutters on the lower window and increase the size of them for window over the door. The other thing that seems to bother is the front doors are lost because you have large double doors I might consider going to red rather than black. and leaving the storm door black...

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Comments (8)

wdccruise
4 years ago
1. Like RL said, remove the shutters from the first-floor windows.
2. Make the center, second-floor window look like the others with grills. No shutters, I think, because the window is wide.
3. Paint the front door and storm door to eliminate the "black hole" appearance. I'd paint both doors the same color. We replaced our brick condo's doors with Provia doors in Mountain Berry which looks good with our brick building.
4. I don't see anything wrong with the little round window at the top.
5. I wonder if it might make sense to paint the lamps on either side of the door white to match the other trim. They look lost.
6. Remove the Welcome sign. I think you only need a sign if it says, "Go Away".
-- amateur
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katinparadise
4 years ago
I like the double window with grids that RL suggested. I agree much larger shutters on that window as well as removing the shutters on the lower windows. The front door does appear to be a bit of a black hole. I think a color like SW Hunt Club, which is a dark green with a bit of black might look nice.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
About the lights they should be black, and not a rust color, at least my monitor says they are brown. they are also slightly the wrong style for the house...........
dyliane
4 years ago
I would remove ALL the fake shutters to start
Teresa O
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you all for your comments! And thank you RL for the picture mock up. So cool! Your comments have helped us to see things that we easily over looked such as the shutters and black hole that is our front door. Much appreciated and will help us to make improvements to the overall look of our homes exterior.

To answer some of your questions ...
The function of the window that needs to be replaced is a bedroom.
The little window in the leak can definitely be changed to a vent instead. Any suggestions?
The lights on either side of the door are brown. Something I have wanted to change - at least painted black?

Can I bounce some questions back?
Our double front door is wood. Would it be worth the effort to strip the coat of black paint (looks like only one coat) and then stain it, keep it natural? Or just paint it a different colour as suggested. Our brick is more of an orange-red (pictures were taken just before a big storm, everything looks darker).

We are grateful for any additional suggestions to improve the overall look of the front exterior of our home. Thanks!
katinparadise
4 years ago
If you're going to paint your door anyway, I would definitely see what the wood looks like underneath first. A stained door could be beautiful and would certainly brighten up the entrance.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
Agreed If you can strip it down, go for it that could be a very beautiful accent.

Yes you can paint the exterior fixtures, give them a little sanding to get any thing loose off and use a rustomlium paint maybe a semi gloss rather than a mat finish.

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