Design Ideas for an Exterior Window

Find a window style that adds character to your home.

"Window glass is what makes a window," says newspaper columnist and all-around handyman Tim Carter. When dealing with a window, create a design that complements the exterior of your home, as well as the interior decor. The type of window you choose and how you showcase it add different elements to the curb appeal of your home.

Traditional Windows

Frame the exterior of your window to showcase it.

Look for energy-saving options when choosing windows for your home. These help conserve heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, lowering your utility bills all year around. The Energy Star label certifies that your investment is sound. Choose a window with multiple panes of glass for visual interest. Paint the wood or vinyl a color that complements the rest of the exterior or, for extra interest, one that pops. Dress up single-paned windows on the outside using a custom frame or casing.

Multiple Designs

Create custom designs for visual interest.

Create a design that uses separate multiple windows to create one big one. For example, have one side a single large pane and the other side a two-paned window that opens for air with a small, fixed single pane on top. Choose a wood stain that fits into the palette of your house and leaded panes for additional texture and visual interest. Play around with the design until it complements the style of your home or the landscaping around it.

Stained Glass

Choose stained glass windows to add drama to your interior design as well as to the exterior.

Antique stained-glass windows are as pricey as they are colorful. If you choose to reuse these in the exterior design of your home, be sure they are fully covered by your homeowner's insurance. Take pictures and carefully document everything about them in case of loss, damage or theft. Modern alternatives to these elements from times gone by include having a window panel made from stained glass to the exact dimensions of your existing energy-saving windows. The panels are then installed over them with caulk, giving you the Old World look without having to lose the contemporary efficiency.

Glass Block

Add texture and light inside of your home with glass block windows.

Glass block windows have been around for many decades and had a resurgence in the 1980s as replacements for rotten basement foundation windows. This type of window fits well in some of today's modern architecture, especially that of an ultra-contemporary or offbeat design. Use glass bocks for a bathroom window, to allow in ample light without sacrificing privacy, or for a funky touch in a refurbished urban home.

Extra Decorative Touches

Add more color and interest with exterior window decorations, such as shutters and plants.

No matter what design you choose for an exterior window, set it off with the elements around it. Shutters come in decorative fixed form and functional designs for storm and security protection. The main choices, wood and vinyl, can be found in louver as well as solid shutter designs. Either can also be painted with personal touches, such as symbols or scroll-work around the edges. Place a few potted plants on the exterior window sill for additional life and color. Hang a hummingbird feeder or a wind chime to add movement and sound around your exterior window design.

References

• Ask the Builder: Glass Windows; Tim Carter; 2009