Whether it’s feeling a gentle breeze through an open window, basking in the warmth from a skylight on a chilly day, or welcoming guests through a craftsman front door, our home’s windows and doors contribute greatly to our everyday enjoyment! They provide character to our home and connect us to the exterior world. Sure windows and doors provide the practical purpose of keeping out unwanted weather elements, pests, and intruders, but they also frame our views and convey our hospitality. If you are planning to update your windows and doors, check out these helpful tips on how to choose the right window and door style that best complements your home.
1. Traditional
A traditional home is a mix of several different simple and classic architectural styles. Colonial, Cape Cod, and Georgian style homes all come under the umbrella of “traditional.” Traditional homes have a classic look and are usually constructed of brick, stone, or stucco. They have front-facing gables and symmetrically placed windows. When choosing windows for your traditional home, consider double-hung windows which have two window sashes within a single frame and provide a clean and time-honored look. Bay and bow style windows, transom windows, and traditional pattern window grilles are also great options.
Traditional entryway doors are often made of wood, or fiberglass in wood stain finishes, providing a timeless and classic look.
2. Craftsman
Craftsman style homes developed out of the Arts and Crafts Movement in the early 1900s and are very popular today. Their exteriors are characterized by low-pitched roofs, porches with thick square columns, and exposed beams on both the exterior and interior of the home. Stained glass windows are also in keeping with the home’s design.
3. Contemporary
Contemporary decorating is about the “here and now.” It can best be characterized by clean lines, asymmetrical design, flat roofs with multilevel roof-lines, and unembellished window choices. Contemporary homes are often bathed in sunlight, and frequently take advantage of skylight windows. Other window styles that work well in a contemporary home are fixed, sliding, and casement windows. Fixed windows do not open and provide great focal points with unencumbered views. Sliding windows, also called gliding windows, have one sliding sash that moves horizontally. Sliding windows provide a clean aesthetic and help maximize views. Casement windows, also known as crank windows, provide a clear view to the outdoors and are great options over counters or anywhere that requires a reach.
Entryway doors for contemporary homes are unadorned, sleek, and chic. The door windows are often in iconic geometric shapes and often feature lever handle hardware in on-trend metallic finishes. To keep a contemporary look from feeling too cold or sterile, choose an entryway door in a warm wood finish.
4. Spanish/Mediterranean
Mediterranean homes were inspired by the seaside villas found in Spain, France, and Italy. They are known for their red terra cotta roofs, stucco exterior, arched windows and doorways, and balconies. Good window choices for a Mediterranean home include window walls, arched windows, and wrought-iron or wooden window grilles. A window wall replaces an exterior wall with fixed windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, providing magnificent views.
5. Victorian
Victorian style homes often feature bay windows, turrets, clapboard siding, steep roofs, rambling porches, columns, and ornate moldings. The windows on Victorian homes are typically ornate, expansive, and varied. Good options to consider are double-hung, transom, arched, bay or bowed, fixed, and special-shape windows.
Victorian Exterior by Other Metro Windows, Pella Windows and Doors
Victorian entryways often use decorative glass panels and stained glass effects. Look for paneled fiberglass or wood doors with decorative embellishments and consider adding a transom window over the doorway. Bold colors are often found in traditional Victorian homes, so don’t be afraid to add a pop of color to your own entryway door!
Victorian Exterior by Other Metro Windows, Pella Windows and Doors
No matter what your home’s style, you can find help in choosing the right windows and doors by visiting Pella®. Like the photo inspiration you see here? Find even more window and door inspiration by checking out Pella® on Pinterest and Houzz.
You might also like:
7 Ways to Identify When to Replace Windows and Doors
5 Benefits of Window and Door Replacement
6 Tips for Creating a Beautiful and Functional Entryway
This post is sponsored by Pella® . All opinions are my own.
Silvana says
Hi, updating entrance door, now its contemporary double white door. I would like to change the color. I am confused to color or style.
the interior is eclectic/ rustic italian.
Can you help ?
Christine says
Very interesting article because it drew my attention to the details, where I could actually see the style. Usually, they’re just cool or not. 🙂
I, too, have a ranch. I’m rebuilding after a fire and would love to be on track. So far, I just hope for “cool.” Go figure! LOL
Jen Y says
These are beautiful! Bu thow do you convert these ideas to small houses? My house is a little 1300 sq fot cottage style ranch – no room for transoms or side lights. I’d love to see wome examples on less exspensive homes.
Beth says
I 100% agree! I really want to do a before/after post using real-life homeowner examples of how they updated their doors/windows. Windows and doors make such a difference in your home’s appearance no matter what the price-point.
Jen Y says
I so agree. We changed our sliding patio door with French doors & added a large pass through window from our kitchen to our screened porch – it made such a huge difference. The rooms feel so much bigger & we didn’t change any of the original footprint. I need some ideas for the front of my house now.