Every room in your house has its own unique set of requirements, and therefore needs window styles to match. In this blog, home remodeling contractor Colonial Remodeling, LLC shares a look at the rooms in a typical home, and the window styles for each.

Living Room

The living room is typically the largest room, therefore it needs correspondingly large windows to allow as much natural light and ventilation as possible. Operable window styles with large glass areas like bay and bow windows are deemed ideal for the living room. Many people are concerned about how exposure to sunlight may fade or damage curtains, along with carpets and furniture. Choose windows with low-emissivity (or “Low-E”) coatings. Glass with Low-E coatings can block most of the UV rays and solar heat that comes through your windows.

Dining Room

Natural light isn’t considered a priority in the dining room, since it’s mostly used when the sun is out. Therefore, you should focus on window styles that provide strong visual appeal. If an illuminated visual element is visible right outside the dining room—perhaps a fountain or a sculpture—then a casement or picture window would be the best window style to highlight it.

Kitchen

Kitchens, on the other hand, lean towards practicality. While it doesn’t need windows as big as the ones in living rooms, natural lighting and ventilation remain the top requirements, but for different reasons. A well-lit kitchen allows efficiency during cooking, with less reliance on electrical lighting. Ventilation is needed for flushing out steam and odors. Additionally, windows that can be operated by one hand, such as sliding windows, are best if you can only spare one free hand while working in the kitchen. Sliding windows are also less obtrusive, as it doesn’t interfere with exterior tasks such as siding installation.

Bedrooms

Bedroom windows should also double as egress windows, as required by current building codes. They need to be of a certain size, and should be easy to open from indoors. Double hung windows are a good style for bedroom windows because everyone is familiar with how they work. Modern double-hung windows are equipped with weighted sashes that allow easy operation.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms need a good balance between ventilation, natural light, and privacy. While window treatments are a go-to option for controlling privacy, obscured or textured glass create a clean, stylish, and permanent solution for privacy without sacrificing ventilation and natural lighting.

Colonial Remodeling, LLC is your leading provider of replacement windows and James Hardie siding. Give us a call at (703) 534-0800 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Arlington, VA, and nearby areas.