A single new window in your home can transform a room’s entire appearance. So if your house doesn’t have the fresh sunlight and bright appearance you crave, one or more picture windows may be the perfect solution. This practical, attractive option delivers elegance, gorgeous views, and sophisticated natural lighting that elevate your living spaces to the next level.
Let’s talk a look at what picture windows can do for your home—and why it’s worth considering them as part of your window replacement planning.
What Is a Picture Window?
You’ve likely heard of this type of window, but you may not have thought about how it’s constructed. So here’s an overview:
Picture windows are made of large panes of stationary (non-opening) glass placed in low-profile (thin) frames so that your view of the outdoors is maximized. They may come with or without grilles for decorative purposes.
What Are the Common Picture Window Styles and Placements?
Most often, picture windows are installed in the center of a wall, where their wide glass panes can offer expansive outdoor views and draw in plenty of refreshing sunlight. They’re most popular in kitchens (behind the sink or stove), library rooms, and living rooms, but can be used in other places too.
Picture windows may be set in the wall alone, or with smaller windows on either side—like casements, double-hungs, and even decorative stained or frosted glass. Awning or transom windows can be placed over the picture window. There are many window configurations that allow you as a homeowner to be as creative as you want to be.
Can Picture Windows Replace Other Styles of Windows?
If you have old, single-hung or double-hung windows in a room, you may be thinking, “How can I put a picture window in place of other, smaller ones?” The good news is that picture windows can be custom-sized for any space and can replace just about any existing window.
What You’ll Enjoy When You Say Yes to a Picture Window
1. Beautiful, Encompassing Views
With a broad, spacious glass pane unencumbered by bulky frames and fixtures, a picture window allows you to get a full, satisfying view of your outdoors. You’ll be able to enjoy the rich, green, flowering landscaping you’ve invested in every time you look outside.
2. Brightly Lit Indoor Areas
The wide, tall expanse of your picture window draws in refreshing sunlight—much more so than smaller windows. This can really make a difference in rooms that would otherwise lack enough lighting, such as an indoor room, dining room, or bathroom. The added natural light warms up a space and makes it feel welcoming.
3. A Sense of Spaciousness
If you have a room that feels small or cramped due to its size or layout, one way to create an instant sense of added space is to install a picture window. The views of the outdoors and the increased lighting pull your view past the room itself to encompass what’s beyond it too. This helps the room feel bigger.
4. Affordable Energy Efficiency
Today’s picture windows are quite energy-efficient. With careful installation by pros (like our team!), you’ll enjoy excellent insulation, and you can even opt for added features like double-glazing and low-E glass, which improve insulating value.
Plus, picture windows can be the same price—or even less!—than options like double-hungs because they are simpler and don’t have moving parts. So, if you’re dreaming of expansive, bright views, be sure to ask your windows company about what picture windows can offer you.
Tips for Getting the Most from a Picture Window
To enjoy the greatest benefits of your picture window, it’s important to be strategic about where you place them. Here are some facts to be aware of before you invest in one.
Place the Window Higher to Minimize Certain Views
If you want a picture window in a space that desperately needs greater lighting, but doesn’t have the most attractive outdoor view, talk with your installer about placing the window higher on the wall. This technique can concentrate the gaze on what’s most beautiful outdoors while helping hide little imperfections in the landscape.
Plan for How You’ll Maintain Your Privacy
Perhaps you’d love to put a picture window in a bedroom or bathroom but have concerns about prying eyes. It’s not hard to find ways to ensure your window is properly dressed to enhance privacy. Frosted and stained glass can beautify the space and keep your room private, and specialty shades can be ordered too.
Think about How You’ll Use the Room
Before committing to a new picture window, realize that there is one thing these lovely, grand windows can’t do—which is open. So, if bringing in fresh breezes to a particular room matters greatly to you, you may wish to add casement or double-hung windows on either side of the picture window to blend the benefits of both.
Also, it can be difficult to clean a picture window without a little more effort than swing-in, double-hung windows. So, consider where in your home the new window will be. Will it go on a second-story wall where you have to climb a ladder to clean its outside glass? Or will it be ground-level and simple to reach with a small step-ladder?
Give Your Chicago Area Home a Fresh, Bright Look with New Windows
If your home is dim, dated, and inefficient, replacement windows will give your living spaces a fresh, bright look you’ll love. As a certified contractor for Marvin windows, our team of craftsmen at Siding & Windows Group are well-versed in how to give you the best windows and a smooth installation that makes your remodeling experience a delight.
Start dreaming right now about your home’s transformation—and discover the many ways Marvin replacement windows from Siding & Windows Group can give you a beautiful home that fits your lifestyle.
