Double-hung or casement; hinged or sliding? If you are considering new windows or patio doors, the choices can be dizzying. But it’s easier to decide when you have a muse in mind. Click the arrows on the images below (or swipe if on a mobile device) to find inspiration for choosing windows and patio doors that suit your aesthetic and lifestyle.
Craftsman Style
A new home in coastal Maine offers all the charm of a historic craftsman bungalow, from the shingled exterior to the gracious front porch with a beadboard ceiling. Another hallmark is the grille pattern on the windows and doors, which, in the craftsman bungalow style, is always vertical or square, never horizontal. The traditional double-hung windows and hinged patio doors are from Andersen's A-Series. Photo by Scott Dorrance
Vanishing Act
A contemporary California home by architect David Kotzebue invites the outside in through floor-to-ceiling views of the tree-filled landscape. On perfect-weather days, the Liftslide door that spans the great room effortlessly rolls, stacks, and tucks out of sight thanks to a moving glass wall system and built-in pockets. The result: seamless indoor/outdoor living. Photo by Jacob Elliott
Picture Perfect
Large-scale picture windows from Andersen’s 400 Series welcome natural light into a contemporary Tudor-style home in Minnesota. The choice of black grilles adds depth and draws the eye, making the windows the focal point of the light and airy interiors. Photo by Henke
Coastal Considerations
A serene kitchen with shiplap walls, open shelving, and Shaker-style cabinets is the picture of practicality in the beach town of Wilmington, North Carolina. Just as sensible is the window selection from Andersen’s A-Series. The casement style, which opens on a side hinge, offers a clear view, similar to a picture window, but preserves the option to let in the ocean breezes. For days when the wind and sea are rough, the windows are also equipped with Stormwatch® protection. “Storm-grade windows are an essential item that we keep in our toolkit when designing a home on the coast,” says project architect Mark Wilson of Kersting Architecture. “On the coast, we are required by code to provide some sort of window protection. Properly installed storm-grade windows with impact-resistant glazing are the cleanest, most passive way to provide our client with that protection.” Photo by Chris Edwards
Winning Combination
In this modern farmhouse, “we wanted to create an indoor/outdoor space for a young family that loves to entertain,” says Colorado-based interior designer Jane Freking. “We love the Andersen MultiGlide™ doors for this hearth room space, which opens to an outdoor dining space, pool and firepit area.” On the adjacent wall, picture and awning windows from the E-Series combine for the best of both worlds—the larger stationary picture windows maximize a poolside view, while a bottom row of top-hinged awning windows brings in fresh air. Photo by Eric Lucero
Curve Appeal
Bay and bow windows add striking curves to a grand, Spanish Colonial-inspired home in Naples, Florida. Each features three to five 400 Series picture windows topped with a specified equal light fractional grille. For a peek inside, see the next slide.
Room with a View
In an interior view of the same Florida home, a trio of 400 Series picture windows set in a curved wall creates a light-filled space for a bedroom writing desk.
Entertaining Game Changer
A pass-through window to a patio or deck makes alfresco entertaining a breeze, easing the flow of traffic as dishes and drink trays come and go. A MultiGlide™ door, one of Andersen's moving glass wall systems, maximizes every inch of space in the opening and sits flush with the sill. Photo by Michael Marren
Art of the Mix
Unified by a classic grille pattern, an artful mix of E-Series casement, picture, double-hung, and transom windows and hinged patio doors impart ample character and charm while providing modern-day performance. Architectural design by Michael Kreindler Design. Photo by Francois Gagne
Modern Perspective
Clean lines and sustainability reign in a Minnesota home outfitted with black windows from Andersen’s popular 400 Series. Large picture windows provide unobstructed views of nature, while smaller awning windows along the bottom can open on pleasant days. Photo by Henke
By Terri Robertson
This article is sponsored by Andersen Windows & Doors. Learn more at andersenwindows.com