Windows: Letting light into your home

 First there were windowless caves and then dark shelters where the only light came through the entry. The first window must have been an attempt to see outside while still enjoying all the protection and comfort of the inside. The way the light fell through that window must have been an added bonus. The patch it made on the floor became a warm spot to curl up in.

Windows have come a long way but they still let us see the outside from the comfort of the inside and they still provide light that we have come to depend on not just to see by but to raise our spirits. If we say that a home is filled with light, this implies that we like it, that it is the ultimate marriage of our inner and outer worlds brought together by the magic of windows.

Now, the windows in our homes are not like family; something that we cannot choose and that is with us forever. They are more like friends; we are free to reconsider our relationship at any time. When the time comes for us to replace our windows we have the opportunity to revise our relationship with them. Now is the time to change the things that we don't like. It is also a time to think beyond problem solving to creativity and using our imaginations.

So many options for light and the placement of it exist out there even for those of us who have limited budgets and unlimited imaginations. It is possible that you may just want to replace your old windows with new ones that are exactly the same but it is also possible that you may want to change the style, design or placement. Choosing replacement windows opens up a whole new world of light and possibilities.

This article is an exploration about the myriad different ways that light can enter our homes through the many styles of window that are now routinely manufactured for our needs and pleasure. It is not about the practical considerations like energy efficiency. This issue can be promptly solved through purchasing windows bearing the Energy Star label that was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy together with the Environmental Protection Agency. These labels show that the windows meet certain energy performance criteria.

Lets take a look at some of those more creative considerations:

SHAPE Not all windows are versions of the square/rectangular shape. Some are styled on classic shapes like rounded or pointed arches. Palladian windows, named after a Renaissance architect, are a commanding trio consisting of a wide arched window flanked by two rectangular windows. There are circular and semi-circular windows and some are shaped like triangles or trapezoids. In short, windows come in any conceivable shape!

GROUPING AND PLACEMENT Windows can stand alone or be grouped for effect. The Palladian window is really three windows grouped in a particular way. Large picture windows are often grouped with smaller awning windows. Bay windows are really a group of windows in a particular arched configuration. Rows of windows, like the five ranked Georgian style or the ribboned Prairie and Craftsman style create a traditional effect. Fanlights and sidelights augment doors and add architectural detail to the entry.

STYLE Styles of windows today are a far cry from centuries ago when a window was a hole in the wall. For lovers of classic lines there is still the ever-popular double hung window. The casement style works well in traditional groupings like bay windows or more contemporary style homes. The Bay or bow window is a scene-stealer that provides the perfect solution to a small, flat area in a home. Garden windows bring the outdoors inside and they often come with a glass shelf for plants and collectibles.

Settle the practical issues when it comes to replacement windows but don't get so bogged down in the details that you forget the element of pleasure that well chosen windows can bring to your home.
About the Author

Burke Jones is a frequent contributor to the Replacement Windows Depot, an online resource for window replacement reviews and aluminum window information.

 Burke Jones

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