The best colonial style homes have uniquely distinguishable windows that offer a more traditional appearance, although adding a more modernized appeal to the windows for your colonial style home could look great as well. This guide highlights the best window options for colonial style homes, focusing specifically on the window shape, style, material and color choices you may have to make as you find the most suitable window types for your home.
What Are Colonial Style Homes?
Colonial style homes describe the home design that colonists brought to America in the 1600s. Many homes that were built before the 20th century have a colonial style, and the design is still popular with some new construction properties today. There are several key characteristics that make a home “colonial style.” These primary characteristics include:
- Two stories
- Symmetrical architecture
- Centered front door
- A stairway behind the front entrance
Many colonial style homes include a fireplace as well, which is typically either central or symmetrically-paired. Siding options may vary today, but two of the more common types are brick or white clapboard.
Considerations When Choosing Windows For Colonial Style Homes
Windows are different in several key areas. The most important considerations to make when choosing the best window options for your colonial style home are your preferences for the window shapes, styles, materials, finish and color.
Shapes
There are two main types of window shapes to consider — rectangular and bay. Rectangular windows are more traditional, which many find complementary to the traditional features associated with colonial-style homes. They work well in keeping the simple and symmetrical design that colonial-style homes often display, while still giving the home an updated and high-quality feel.
Bay windows are not as typical in the traditional colonial style homes. However, they became increasingly common in the 20th and 21st centuries, especially with Colonial manors. Bay windows project outward, rather than remaining even with the exterior of the home. This gives a unique appearance to the home and offers an intriguing alternative to the more traditional rectangle style.
Styles
The window style can play a big role in how traditional or modern your windows look. There are three main styles of windows that you should consider for colonial style homes. These styles are:
- Double-hung
- Multi-pane
- Thin molding
Double-hung windows are the most common style for colonial homes due to their traditional appearance. They often involve a wooden window frame. Double-hung windows slide vertically up and down and are easy to use. Updated windows are energy-efficient.
For older homes, the builders did not have the technology to produce large panes of glass for windows. Instead, they used multiple panes of glass to create a similar look. They are a great throwback option if you are looking to achieve a genuine and original colonial style appearance for your home. Thin molding refers to a thin casing around windows that give it a more traditional appearance.
Materials
The three primary material options for windows for your colonial style home are vinyl, aluminum-clad and primed wood. Vinyl was not an option for window frames constructed hundreds of years ago. However, vinyl provides an affordable and rot-resistant alternative to wood that still looks similar to wood and is relatively durable.
Aluminum-clad windows are made of a wood core frame and are supported by the aluminum casing. They offer a flexible design, excellent durability and do not require much maintenance long-term. Primed wood was the preferred method for home designers in the 1600s and 1700s. This is because wood is always available and easy to use for construction purposes. If you are going for a truly traditional look with your windows, a primed wood frame may be the best option for you.
Finishes & Colors
Most colonial-style homes feature a white or earth-tone window finish and color. Commonly, a brick colonial-style exterior with white windows and shutters are used to create the true colonial style feel. White cladding and white windows also look good when complemented by an alternative color for the shutters. For a colonial-style look, white window frames are a great way to go as well.
However, there has also been more of a trend towards an earth-tone look for colonial style homes to give them a more modern and updated appearance. The earth tone color palette features a variety of off-white colors to consider for the window frames.
Speak With The Experienced Northern VA Window Contractors
If you would like to discuss your window options for colonial style homes with a professional, then give our team of Northern Virginia window contractors at Adelphia Exteriors a call today. We can answer your questions, address your concerns and help you make the best decision possible to accomplish the goals you have for your home design.
Reach out by giving us a call at (703) 386-7357 or by contacting us online today.