Queen Anne homes are full of character and Victorian charm. With their gables, towers, bay windows and different textures, these houses are in a category all their own. Therefore, it is not unusual for homeowners to put a lot of time and effort into making the right choice when the time comes to recommend window styles for Queen Anne homes.
Here is a look at the best window styles to help preserve your Queen Anne home’s distinctive look.
What Is a Queen Anne Style Home?
Queen Anne homes are a subcategory of Victorian architecture that enjoyed a surge in popularity from around 1880 to 1910. They are named after Anne Stuart, the Queen of Great Britain in the early 1700s who reigned during a time when wealthy landowners and aristocrats built impressively ornate homes. Featuring elaborate decoration and a lot of different textures, they are characterized by their charming, romantic appearance.
When choosing a window, the home’s other features will certainly be a consideration. Many Queen Anne homes feature the following characteristics:
- Towers or turrets: These are often circular or square and have a unique roof with slate shingles. They usually feature one or more windows.
- Doors: The doors are usually surrounded by elegantly carved decorations and transom windows.
- Porches: Many Queen Anne homes have wraparound porches with decorative posts, while townhouses in this style often have second-story patios as well.
- Roofs: These homes tend to have steeply pitched roofs with dormers and gables.
Window Styles for Queen Anne Homes
Windows play a big role in the extravagant appearance of Queen Anne-style homes. Many times, different combinations of windows are used for these homes. Here is a look at some of the top choices.
Bay Windows
Bay windows feature prominently in Queen Anne homes, projecting outward from the home’s walls from a room in a way that adds character to the exterior and some extra space to the room itself.
Oriel Windows
Another decorative window often featured in Queen Anne homes is the oriel window. These are similar to bay windows but are smaller and do not reach the ground. They are typically used on the upper floors of the home.
Functional Windows
For the functional windows in your Queen Anne home, go with a tall single or double-hung sash window. A sash window features one or two sliding sections that can be raised or lowered in a groove instead of outward.
Although these windows may have clear glass in a more traditional home, the top sash in a Queen Anne home might have a cottage or square grille patterns for added character. Tall and narrow windows are a distinguishing feature of these homes and provide the illusion of a taller home, while round circular windows can be used to accent the tops. The functional windows in Queen Anne homes are often paired or tripled, which makes choosing a style you love even more important.
Picture Windows
Many Queen Anne homes feature a specialty-shaped picture window. These fixed windows do not open or close and are simply there to allow more light into the home while contributing to its style and appearance. Palladian windows, half-round, and porthole shapes are all good choices for your Queen Anne home.
Colored Glass Windows
Another common feature in Queen Anne homes is art glass. This decorative and colorful glass can be used in the top part of sash windows or transom windows over the doors or other picture windows.
The color choices are endless; Queen Anne homes can go as bright as the homeowner likes and may use anything from the full color palette. Many modern Queen Anne homes veer toward lighter tones, but darker tones also work with this style of home.
Bow Windows
Bow windows are a good choice for a tower, with their multiple openings and more rounded appearance than a bay window. However, both bay and bow windows will complement the home’s ornate style by dividing the view along different planes while bringing more light in.
Energy-Efficient Windows
If you’re interested in upgrading your window style for a Queen Anne home, look for the most energy-efficient varieties that suit your budget. These homes tend to feature a lot of windows, and you can enjoy significant savings on your energy bills if you choose wisely.
Modern windows are much more energy-efficient than those used in the past, and many homeowners will find noticeable improvements in both their home’s comfort levels and their energy bills by upgrading to more energy-efficient varieties. This is especially impactful for your Queen Anne home’s larger windows, such as picture and bay windows.
Reach Out to the Northern Virginia Exterior Remodeling Specialists For Help On Choosing Window Styles For Queen Anne Homes
The right windows will preserve your Queen Anne home’s charm while improving your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. For expert guidance on selecting the right windows for your home, get in touch with the window replacement team at Adelphia Exteriors today.