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Windows Design Dilemma

Mix of Window Style in Home HELP!

2 years ago

Hello! I love this forum and hope you all can help. We are about to start a large exterior remodel which includes siding, roof, windows, covered outdoor area, wrap around porches and concrete walk ways. Please see photos below.

We need to start ordering materials to be ready for construction to start in May. I am really struggling with the windows and need help! Our current windows are a mix of 45 year old Andersen casement and fixed windows. The budget won’t allow Andersen so we are going with vinyl.

Here is the dilemma. It does not make sense to have casement windows anymore on the lower floor that will open up into the new covered porch and walkways. So I feel that either a three wide single hung or use the current configuration of the large windows (95.5” x 47.5”) and have two 24” single hung on either side of a fixed window. The remaining lower floor will be single hung or fixed.

The upper floor on the other hand, we can only do sliders or casement due to egress. Will that look funny? Should we incorporate check rails to make the sliders or casement look like single hung for continuity of the house? But sometimes, I think that grilled and check rails look cheap!

And then, the three windows above the garage are slated to be single hung. There is one slider or casement window in the same room. Would it look odd if we did not add a check rail to the slider/casement window??

PLEASE HELP! I have to order in a couple weeks and I am so stuck!

And the

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Comments (4)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO ask your architect and whay are you doing this ordering at all.I am finding the elevations ar ereally too uch going on all together . IMO all windows should be the same style the exception of course the patio doors You do realize that covered patios cut interior natural light a lot. I find the very formal curved patio a bit off from what looks like a farmhouse garge IMO way too much going on on the exterior so the windows IMO need to be avery simple and maybe not all need to open either
Grace Janine thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
3onthetree
2 years ago
Save the sliders for the mobile homes. Pick one style: double/single hung, casement + awning. Double hung easily qualify for emergency escape and rescue rated, you just have to use the right size.

It is not clear, are you just replacing existing window sizes with the exact same - except you will be going with new construction (not remodel) windows since you are demo'ing the siding? If you go with the cheapest vinyl windows to save money, will they be any better than your existing Andersons?

I imagine you are spending somewhere between $100K-$150K, isn't it worth it to address the interior spaces with how those windows are sized and located? It looks like all the same windows, except the stair tower will have a new fixed and removed the side window ( Grace's old thread ).

Revisiting the contractor's elevations and what you said last thread:

"As drawn, I think the home has way too many textures with the lap, shingle, board and bat and stone."

are you going with the design as is? Also, the front elevation is missing the porch roof shown in the 3D.
Grace Janine thanked 3onthetree
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April Simons
2 years ago
Hello Patricia,

Thank you for your input. i should clarify. I agree that the exterior has way too much texture. we have decided on all lap siding rather than the three styles that are shown and no stone on the house.

The porch will also not be rounded as in the elevation, but rather square-ish.

I am not ordering myself, but the contractor is. I just need to have a decision made so they can order.

But I agree with you that the windows need to be simple and allow for plenty of light due to the porches.
Grace Janine
Original Author
2 years ago
3onthetree

On the upper floor, we are using the exact same size windows and using new construction windows. This is the problem, because of the size of the windows on the upper floor in the bedrooms, our only option due to egress is casement or sliders. Net size opening of these windows is 56' x 40.5". My preference would be single hung, to match what I want on the lower floor, but we can't due to the window size won't allow for egress if they were single hung. The windows are currently casement. Unfortunately, Andersen windows are failing (seals are failing, crank mechanisms and fogging) so they do need replacing. We have selected a premium vinyl windows not the cheapest vinyl.

And we have addressed the interior space and we have determined that the windows are really in the best places and size to flow with the fixed elements (showers, tub enclosures etc) inside the home. Only thing we have considered is lengthening the size of the three wide windows in the living room area, but will likely not due to furniture placement and flow of that room.

"As drawn, I think the home has way too many textures with the lap, shingle, board and bat and stone."

We have decided to go with lap siding only rather than what is drawn and have removed the porch on the front elevation and have replaced it with a shed type porch. The house faces a very large field and didn't make sense to put the gabled porch on that side of the house.

Thank you for all of your help!

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