We’re always looking for ways to update and improve our homes. After all, the little quirky additions we add along the way are what make our houses the place we call home. One of the best, but least obvious ways to create a dramatic makeover effect in any room, which most people often overlook, is by introducing a different perspective with replacement windows or skylights.
If you’re thinking a part of your home might be ready for a spruce-up by the addition of some extra sunlight and the illusion of a bigger space, you have many, many options to choose from. The following are a few quick guidelines that will help you choose the most flattering styles and features.
If you want to add more light to a room…
Keep into consideration factors such as size, angle, and room color. Yes it’s obvious, but for more light, you’ll want larger windows. Bow and Bay windows are excellent choices for brightening up and expanding the view of any room in your home.
Don’t forget to take into account the direction that your home faces and the way in which the sun hits your house at different times of the day during different times of the year. Here is how light typically hits a home:
- East & West Facing Windows let in the the glow of dawn and dusk, but also allow the harsh glares of that strong afternoon sun.
- Southern Facing Windows are best for a soft, ambient light.
- Northern Facing Windows will catch cooly lit, indirect light.
If you want better ventilation…
Casement windows, which open completely outward by the twist of a metal gear, are most effective for regulating airflow. Some things to keep in mind:
- Seasonal wind patterns – windows can be strategically paired to best capture cross ventilation
- Airflow is maximized when windows are placed away from corners
- The ability for windows to cool down your home increases if a breeze enters through a smaller window and exits through a larger one
If you want to add character to a room…
Just like with aiming for more light, bow and bay windows are also great for defining a workplace or family room because of their 3-dimensional qualities. For a detailed impact, group windows at one specific focal point or introduce a single fixed pane to a bold place. Really take the time to discover your home and pin point places you may have overlooked where an accent window would be just the thing to turn a room into a place that feels like home.
