When designing our new home windows were super important to me. They really set the tone for the home and help with the overall aesthetic. I spent tons of time researching and today I am going to share all about our windows! We went with Amsco vinyl windows throughout most of our home and absolutely LOVE them.
If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times . . . we want our home to feel timeless. I LOVE old windows. The charm and details you find in old windows are just not done today. They are one of my favorite things about old homes. While old windows are beautiful, they are not very practical in our weather and definitely not practical on the budget. We wanted to put a decent budget into windows because they are not easily changed and we wanted to get the architectural details correct.
Having said all that, we also love the look for less and wanted to be really smart in our decisions. Looks are important, but so are decisions that make practical sense. For the most part, due to Texas weather, most people either do Aluminum clad windows (which means Aluminum on the outside which holds up better to weather and then wood on the inside) or vinyl windows. Aluminum clad windows are beautiful, but definitely more expensive, like double+ the cost. Vinyl windows are beautiful as well, great for weather and more cost effective. We did a combo of both. We used aluminum clad in our family room/hearth room because we needed custom sizes and grids in those spaces. Everywhere else in our home we used Amsco Vinyl windows from the Artisan Series.
Honestly, Amsco Artisan vinyl windows are so well done they almost look like wood windows. Unless you are up close, no one would notice. They do such a nice job with the details and are much more cost effective than wood grid interiors.
WHY WE CHOSE AMSCO WINDOWS:
After doing tons of research, Amsco just stood out. The Artisan Series windows had the architectural look I was going for in a low maintenance, cost effective vinyl option. The attention to detail in these windows really sets them apart. The quality is incredible and they have lots of design options to meet our needs.
** The exact windows we chose were Amsco Artisan Series casement or fixed windows in white with the 3/4 sculptured exterior SDL grids **
**Not all windows are created equal. There are many things to consider. The color, the style, the grid, etc (and this is just looks, of course there is quality to consider as well).
- COLOR: We wanted white windows. They are timeless and perfect for a southern/Cape Cod style home.
- STYLE: We are required to do casement windows in our neighborhood on the front and sides. We ended up ding them throughout as well as fixed windows. While I do like casement windows, I do wish we could have done some double hang, etc like older homes. Personally I don’t like the look of screens and don’t open windows very often due to the TX heat so I didn’t really need double hang windows even though I love the look.
- GRID: (Also called SDL for Single Divided Light) The grid was super important to me. This really adds to the aesthetic of a home. There are several things to consider with grids.
- STYLE:
- PICTURE WINDOW: This style window has no grid. This is typically done in a more modern home. We did picture windows in our family room and the back of the game room to really take in the view, but wanted a more traditional grid on the rest of the windows.
- HALF COLONIAL: This style is used on a lot of coastal homes. It is where the grid is just on the top section of the window. You get the more traditional look, but the picture window style on the bottom so you have an unobstructed view.
- COLONIAL/TRADITIONAL: This is having the grid all over. Of course there are lots of variations that make it more modern, vs traditional. The number of grids you do can change the whole feel of the home and help seal in your style. We used grids on all of our windows and kept them a similar size/shape. We wanted at least 6 panes, but kept the same overall rectangular feel in each window…some required 8 to stay consistent.
- GRID LOCATION: We did an external grid. This means the bars are placed on the inside and outside of the windows. I LOVE the way this looks. It resembles the wood windows of older homes. The grid is very important to get right depending on the style of home you want. Some people do internal grids because they are easier to clean, but this loses some of the charm for me. Not all vinyl windows offer external grids!
- GRID QUALITY: Not all vinyl grids are created equal. Some look very flat and cheap. I spent a ton of time researching this to make sure we got just what I was looking for. Amsco vinyl windows have a nice finish, doesn’t look plastic and are more 3D than other options.
- GRID SIZE: I liked a thinner grid. Amsco offers a 3/4 inch grid
- STYLE:
Below you can see up close details of our grid. Notice the detail and width.
We are so happy with our choice. If you are looking for beautiful windows I highly recommend you check out Amsco. They truly have something for everyone. Different styles, colors, price points, etc. Our windows already look so pretty, I cannot wait to see them all trimmed up! Just look at the details in the photo below. Now, imagine trim around them! Will be such a beautiful architectural look!
Will be sharing more house updates soon!
For all HOH Southern Cape Cod details click HERE.